The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1895-01-18
ATHENA, JANUARY is, 1895

THE question of water works in
Athenais at the present time para.
mount to all. That Athena needs
fire protection is conceded by all;
and the vacant lots about town
with charred, fire-eaten timbers
strewn over them, are silent, but
very impressive evidence that we
do need it badly. That the city
needs bountiful water supply for
irrigation and domestic purposes,
is attested on every hand by the
dwarfsh, stunted trees and shrub
berry that were planted by the hand
ofthe home maker with the cher
ished hope that some day they
would be amply repaid for their
labor by enjoying the copious shade
and the beauty thus added to the
surroundings Of the home. But
they were doomed to disappoint-
ment. The few that survive are
diminutiye weddings, with a few.
exceptions, and "front yards" and
gardens are not unlike the descrip-
tions we read of the great Sahara
desert.
With water works, all this would
be entirely different. Beautiful
lawns, flowers, shrubbery and
shade trees, and a fertile garden
wherein the working man could
raise his garden truck" would
fall in the wake OF water works.
Athena would make town, and
some inducement would be -sffered
those who arc at present merely
stopping here because they have
business interests that require their
attention, or because they can't get
away, to remain permanently and
build up comfortable homes. AS
it is at present, one has none Of
these inducements and so, as soon
..as be has amassed "home stake"
e p akes it and goes to Walla Wal
Tor some other place where he
these advantages, and invests
~ home.
As to the desirability of sys.
tenn Of waterworks for fire protec-
ton the writer will say that he has
been in and near Athena for per-
iod Of six years, and during that
time he has witnessed property 60
up in smoke the value of which
would easily construct two such
water systems as the one now in
contemplation and one which, at
the least calculation, will suffice for
all needs Of the city for twenty-five
years to come.
AS will be noticed in another
column, the city council is consid-
ering proposition whereby the
system is to be put in and the par
ties to take their pay in bonds,
The water works question has been
drug and bone of contention in
Athena for three years, and person
ally, we are becoming sick of this
alternately tearing down and build.
ing up business. Nothing can evei
be accomplished in the way of per.
manent improvements in Athena
until this factional hatchet is bur,
led and men pull together. 70 the
common council Of Athena, we say
the city needs water works; there
is an ordinance in existence where.
by the city is authorized TO issue
$4,000 (6per cent) water bonds fol
the construction Of water works. Il
in your judgment you think the
proposal made you by Mr.. Chas
Power worthy Of your acceptance
accept it, select site for the water
supply as in your Judgment will
best subserve the interests of all
concerned. Act. The people put
you there for that purpose, and i
you cannot arrive at some agree,
ment whereby the city may bav,
q long desired system of watel
works, then we say repeal the or
dinance, cancel the bonds anc
thereby stop the interest.