The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-08-12
CRANSTON.
Why Men Favor Independent Water
WOrkS-HOW They May Be Built.

Quietly sentiment is being educated TO
look with favor upon plan TO give To
the town an independent water works.
Many of the most prominent citizens
favor the idea Of instituting system OF
water supply in the town and for the
town.
Daniel d. Waterman, town clerk, says:
1.-THE town should have had an independ-
ent water works long ago" Councilman
Frank l.. BudlonR says that water
works in the town and for the town
would be great Deneht to property
| owners. Councilman John Nj. Dean
thinks the plan to give the town water
works practicable lie says there is an
| abundant supply of good spring water to
| be had. Town Engineer Joseph "A.
La than favors the institution of water
works. Messrs. Charles .. Bennett Fred
| erick II. Hunt and a number OF other
| prominent men think there is more than
| q sufficient quantity of excellent spring
water in tho town to supply all its
| needs. and that the plan fer an independ-
| ert water system is worthy of considera.
| ton.
WHY THE WORKS ARE WANTED.
Nearly all who favor the town supply
| ing itself with water have five or six
reasons in common. They give emphasis
TO the point that the town can furnish
GUoNCelIeu, puIe sIFlHR WtlSr, IOr HhluFc
has kindly dotted the town and its yicin-
ity with large springfield ponds. 10 DO
independent OF the city would remove tho
cause for periodical quarrels is "a point
generally made. The town cannot make
the city believe that her property in tho
town is justly taxed, and the city cannot
impress the town with the idea that she
furnishes the town with water as she does
her own residents.
Philanthropists say that the establish
ing and operating of water works would
furnish employment to many residents
These men also say that, with a large
supply of water at its disposal the town
could introduce all the fire hydrants
needed and thus lessen insurance rates.
The town could also extend pipes into
sparsely settled districts and thus help its
growth. Ii is argued by those who have
figured closely Oh tho cost OF establishing
and tho income to be derived from u
system of water works that the water can
be furnished AT the rate now charged by
tho city and that the town would have no
expenses fer the water that would supply
firo hydrnnts and Watering troughs.
In short, these leading advocates say
tho points to be gained are: Controver-
sizes between the city and the town would
Ire prevented; purer water would be So
cured: cheaper water rates obtained, men
would no given employment; fire hYdrants
would be more numerous and conse-
sened territory, struggling TO develop
will be aided town would have water for
fire bydrants and watering troughs frec
PLAN TO INSTITUTE WORKS.
Many say the Town Council may initiate
the movement to begin work by Offering
an exclusive franchise TO any company of
men that will establish water works and
furnis sh water to residents of tho town
under prescribed conditions.
The plan that meets with more general
approhation is that the town itself control
the water works. Water stock bonds
could he issued. The Legislature will
grant tho privilege to issue these to tho
extent OF per cent OF its valuation, or
about $500, 600, it Is said. The debt thus
incurred would be entirely indeIendcnt
of tho present debt of about 5000, 600.
WHERE WATER CAN BE OBTAINED
Randall pond. large springfield
body of water covering 35 acres and hav
ing all average depth of about II feet, is
west OF Dyer avenue This pond is
little onst of Cornells Hill, an elevation
PSI feet above tide water. IL is said that
a supply reservoir could be brilt upon
this hill which would give suilicion5
pressure and to which the engine could
pump water.
Moswansiout. pond, body of clear
spring water in North Sotuato noar the
This is 800 feet above tide water. Con-
sidorinR tho fact that the highest popu-
lated part OF tho town is about 100 feet
above tide water, it will be seen that the
gravity system could be employed from
this pond. 1t Is figured that tho main
pipes could be laid along Hartford
road across the town Of Johnston, dis
tanco of about s miles. to tho center of
this town.
Meshnnticut lake and number Of
reservoirs along tho Pocasset river are
other sites mentioned; but the two named
first have precedence thus far.
COST OF EXPLAINING.
There are certain parts Of tho expense Of
instituting water works that will do
pend upon tho location Of the reservoirs.
bot tho cost of piping the town can be
estimated. The city of Proyidence
through it's officials, says 10 will sell to
the town OF CranstoD nll tho water pipes
laid In its streets. A he city values ita
piIes in the town rs follows: $40 miles
OF i2.inch .pipc at -. 30 Ter fot; miles
IL 21-l0O Sinoh pipe at 81 b53 per foot
riles. inch tipc ut so 5ej; the total
il round Numbers is $1,000. II
bloswansicut pond should bc selected.
about 10 miles OF 2o-inch pipes would lie