The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-11-09
WATER FOR THE FUTURE.
Objections TO the Cedar River Ordi-
nance In Its Present Form.

nance in It's Present Form.
John ]. McGilvra yesterday filed with
the city clerk a letter stating objections
10 ordinance 1890. relative to the waters
OF Cedar river, Cedar lake and Swan lake.
His plan is to secure Swan lake as sup
ply reservoir and Cedar lake as a source
of supply, and construct the water works
TO these points at convenience. As a fund
he suggests . per cent. of the gross re-
Ceipts of the city water works. 70 which
NAV be added such other moneys as are
available. Warrants drawn upon this
fund would. he says furnish money for
purchase or condemnation Of the lands
about the lakes. The city, Mr. McGilvra
says. can take ten years as well as ten
months To accomplish this work, and that
without contracting any considerable debt,
for there is no Law requiring the city to eX-
tend its water system unreasonably. While
il must own the land around its source Of
supply and impoundiug reservoirs, and
must have a prior right Of appropriation.
IL should not act the part OF the dog In
the manger by attempting 20 prevent pri-
waite individuals or corporations from ap-
propriating the surplus waters of Cedar
river. Mr.. McGiivra adds:
This Il should obtain at once by lawful
means. and an additional reason Why'd
should do so. and do Il ct once is that
private corporation. awaiting itself Of the
city's surveys and explorations, IS endeav-
DFlIlL 70 tGFe~taii me CITY ana appropriate
the very waters which the city must have
in the future"
The present ordinance, Mr.. McGilvra
states. would be defeated and the matter
Of extension would be without result ex-
Cept the cost Of election The only mattar
to be considered Is the plan proposed ana
the estimated cost. The city. Mr.. NcG,lvra
SAYS. has slept on Us rights. but it cannot
now attempt the unreasonable. such as
voting 20 pile ~ a new debt Of q 80 200 for
or immediate extension OF water works
The ordinance proposes that the city shall
file upon the residue Of the waters Of Cedar
river. after the Seattle Power COMPANY
ard any other person or company VINO may
choose 20 occupy the ground shall have ap-
propr.ated and diverted all the waters they
desire
According 70 the ordinance twelve miles
between the proposed source of supply and
Cedar lake wien a fan or over ,0o1 feet is
left open for occupancy for any purpose
by any p rscn or company ID adultarate
or divert the waters depended upon for
supply 20 the CITY Of Seattle. No other
proposition eEcep, that the city absolutely.
control che source OF supply. that a. the
lake and the waters Of The river beyond
should be entertained. the letter says. for
e moment AMI then * points out that M
power company seems - be better advised
th.1 tle -tT
Ar 2icGi!vra saws De does not lose s.aht
or Lt-e 44tt ttitl +fsH gravity system would
take away part O. the cost OF pumping
and thar nothing would he lost By tn. IN
earring - a debt equal 80 Tire amount uD-
en- which Gle sum saved would paw in
te.est. bar he thinks IL veil "a E0 slowly.
and says TO wei advised person viii saw
that the city should 20 In debt an a5di-
tioual s. 251 - - secure n water supply
for the future. He protests rs a TAXPAYER
against reckless speculation and the
scheme ~ the ordnance lie Tecapltu-
lstcs his Ietter as follows
Secure the source of supply a. Cedar
lake and beyond as wen as Swan lake.
and any other ground necessary for TIE
srrscyaunaIng reservoirs ard r!=hf-of-srsv
Create a sinking fund ~ approprtat{nr
p per cent. q the gross 80 rDlugs CT tha
yTater work. and any other available
funds.
Arer securing Cedar and Swan lakes
and the necessary land IN connection
herewith let the work Of extending our
water works system 40 on as fast and no