The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-10-27

THE CRAZE FOR DEBT.

II IL announced that IN English cngi-
neer has proposed TO supply London with
water from Wales by means of huge
system OF artificial iakes-giant siphons
and about two hundred miles OF conduit.
mt a cost OF many millions OF dollars. The
report says the magnitude of the project
has fascinated the authorities. The same
sort OF fascination seems TO have daZzled
the Seattle city council. and permitted IL
20 seriously contemplate an expense
which, three months ago. would have been
secuted as the wild phantasy OF dem
agogic visionary.
The Londoners have been sobered by
plain. matter-of-fact statement by
scientific commission that for forty
years yet the river Thames will suffice to
supply the wants OF most OF the four mil
Hon population. st. Louis takes Its water
from the muddy Missouri. which is pro-
nouneed as wholesome as any In the coun-
try. Chicago is supplied from lake in
20 which pours the sewage OF three-quar-
tiers of a million OF people. yet Chicago Is
proved TO be one OF the healthiest cities
I'm the country.
Seattle Is supplied by millions upon mil
lions OF gallons OF pure snow water dis
titled by tie clouds and purified in the
high atmosphere of the mountain tops.
II is stored In Is lake whose depths are
20 great In parts that they have not been
sounded. 4 constant motion OF wind and
current keeps its water free from stagna-
zion. and It's abundance. cool. clear and
wholesome. Is beyond all conception OF
insufieiency.
The only question Of supply is one Of
cost. II water can be delivered % con-
vuners a; a lower cost than now. that
proposition Is worth listening 10. But can
ns Less than 4o,eos people can use The city
supply. Probably 10000 families would be
a very extreme number. IL We could dis
pose OF our present plant. wipe out our
present Indebtedness. aud begin all over
again. ths gravity system might become
the cheaper IN the lenE run. But we can
not. va are bound 90 pay principal and
Interest; We are IN debt 10 the fullest limit
"a constitutional convention calculated 20
he ample for twenty years ahead. We are
30 overburaened with taxes that about q
Per cent remains unpaid for each OF the
past two years: We have rushed into an
elaborate ire department. costing 5000
q year 20 maintain. we have erected spleen
old school buildings whlch-while an honor
60 the city-mus; be paid for. we are con-
strlcting expensive paved streets. All this
forms a burden upon the tax payers which
o. will take ten years 90 reduce by IN
creased population and advanced values
There - no man 80 humble IN this city
who does not suffer ~ at1ed taxation: ev-
cry Individual feels the strain caused by
the enormous amour; 81 interest airea4 y
sent cut OF the city. IL is the seight O.
reckless folly to A3i 20 cur burdens BY The
Imposition OF an interest debt % $500 a
menth 90 Re drained fren our already &C.
pie;lrg resources.
with the opinion that TIE city Shouts
take steps to secure the eventual control
cf the Cedar river water supply. ne o!si-
sen Win ei1er. bas tss, 10 shouts he con-
sitered necessary TO 80 80 the expense 81
asking the people 90 tais city % cay
whether or not they are willing 10 Eu
more deeply into csSt A. iSis time seems
20 - q wsntoa waste. IN view Of ne ne
iorious opposition every new issus O.
henss has received. Hundreds of men
voted AYE" az the isss two elections 20
propose mere debt only upon TIE solemn
assurance CT Ire city authorities. ara with
the assevera;e3 pledge OF tire voters. thss
81 sAoali se tie last time uail ne city
was enee more OF substantial financial
footing.