The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-02-14
THE WATER QUESTION.
The Gang Well Proposition. Mon
eY Should Not be Wasted on
NORFOLK, Va, Feb ruary IS. 1898

Experiments.
NORFOLK, Va, Feb ruary IS. 1896.
Editor NorJoM agtnian:
DEAR SIR:-There seems to be no
question, either III the Official or the
private mind, as to the inadequacy
OF our water supply for even present
needs, or rs to the immediate and
urgent necessity for finding some
permanent source which can be
drawn upon for au abundant supply
for the Norfolk OF the future. If
we are to attain to the greatness to
which our geographical position
and physical environments entitle
us, 1T must be by furnishing broad
and solid basis upon which that
greatness may be built up. 1t will
not be thrust upon us. To reach it
we must make every edge out. In
stead of being, as we are to-day, q
minor city OF 30, 900 souls, Norfolk
should and would have had trebled
population il the same reliance had
beer placed upon active work for
the establishment of manufactures
as WAS reposed on the natural nd
yantages of location, harbor and
climate.
AT the present moment the lead.
ing business association of the city
is considering the best means OF IN
uuclnB outside capital to plant O
large cotton mill III Norfolk. There
eau be no doubt TINT such mill,
employing large force and paving
large aggregates of wages, would be
most desirable. Would 1t not seem
that one OF the first questions from
the foreign capitalist would he as to
water supply? If told that our pro-
sent source failed TO meet present
drafts and, further. that we wore
temporlZing and leaving the future
to carry It's own burdens, is 1t not
reasonable that he would dismiss
Norfolk from consideration? Yet it
ls to manufactures that Norfolk
must look for future prosperity and
by manufactures that 1t must sup.
plcment, augment aud ill out its
commercial life.
Furthermore as we grow, we must
protect our credit. 1t may not be
known, but Is nevertheless stated by
parties representing large 6uanoia
interests, that the question of Nor
folks wator supply, Ill case of the
insurance and marketing of future
bonds, would seriously affect the
price at Which they could be placed
uud, herewith, the City'6 credit,
his Is matterlu which we oil have
| concern. is we'll that it should
be considered, discussed, agitated.
With ali A..
abilities and earnestness of those
now seeking by the temporary ex.
| pedient of gang wells 10 bridge the
gap between supply aud demand in
| our water system, 1t Is to be said
| that, even were there certainty of
pure, potable AMI healthful water
from such wells. 1t is cambllpp
transaction III which Il large amount
Is rlsked Tor small gain, II auy, with
an even chance of sinking money
forever. 1t would certainly seem to
the thinking man that we must pro
vide for the future along with the
present. Maj. McAlpiue, in 1871.
predlcted the present water
famine. In his report, page -, be
says; "Ino streams at Moores
| oiiuSes ana Tue lakes beyond
viii furnish supply for pop
uiatIon OF 1O, 600, and when the city
Increases beyond this demand, oil
the expenditure north Of the receiv
| ing reservoir Will be lost, etc"
Why, IN the light OF this fulfilled
prediction, should we put 5000
INTO gang well experiments, with n
view 10 temporizlng with the serious
conditions facing us. If, as is i'm
perative, we must spend MONEY for
supply OF water, let us put it IN
something that Will be rs permanent
as Government bonds aud that will
pay better interest by the estab-
ilshment OF manufactures and attrac
ton OF capital, with CONSIGNMENT
growth, dignity andlwealth. When
the question OF Norfolk water sun.
ply is settled, let II be settled for all
time. u, L..