The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-05-21
A RIGHT STEP TIMELY TAKEN.

proceed at once with an inquiry into
the question Of a clear water supply
from the well-known subterranean
sources east Of the city.
1t is indicated that the inquiry is to
proceed with a view to ownership Of
the source Of supply and of the water
works by the municipality. This re-
moves the only material objections
which were advanced against the orig
inal plan to secure clear pure water
Then, the city having not the financial
ability, it was proposed to authorize a
company to sink the wells, lift the
water and deliver it into the city pipes
at the eastern limits of the city. Like
wise the same company was to lay a
main from the east boundary through
the city to its western limit. The city
was to pay for the water delivered at
a stated rate for a certain term, and
a less rate thereafter. But it was to
fix it's own rates for domestic and other
supply, collect the same and control
the entire system, and after term Of
y
Now, the proposition of the Chamber
of Commerce is directly in line with the
expressed views of those who were ad-
verse to the original one, and secured
its defeat by the Trustees on those
grounds. There remains, therefore, no
objection whatever to be interposed ex-
cept the single one of cost. But that,
IN view of the absolute necessity for a
new supply system, is as nothing. To
give the people clear, pure water is an
act of positive economy. The people
could not make a better investment of
money, secured either by direct taxa
ton or by issuance of certificates of
Indebtedness.
The present water served to the peo-
pie is not fit for their use It entails
treatment that is annoying, and as it is
not always complied with, exposes the
people to assaults of disease. Even if
for the sake of argument it should be
admitted that the water we now use
is as pure as the streams flowing from
the throne of the Eternal, it remains
that the great public Of the country
does not and will not believe it. 1t
Is a reproach and direct injury to the
city which no sort of argument can
remove. That fact confronts US, as
one working incalcuIable injury to the
community, retarding its growth,
checking it's expansion, and Gripping
every industrial and business activity
in it.
It is conceded on all sides that a new
city main is a necessity, extending east
and west across the city, no matter
whence the water supply is drawn. The
cost of that main, therefore. is prop
erly to be thrown out of consideration
in the matter of obtaining clear, pure
water.
Expert chemical analysis by the high
est authority known to the city and
State has demonstrated that the sub
terranean supply is superior, good
potable water, free from impurities,
and possessed Of all the essential ele-
ments called for by the highest stand
ards.
There remains, therefore, only the
question Of the adequacy of the sup
ply. Now of all other times is the best
In which to make a test of that When
natural mountain reservoirs, snow de-
posits and streams are all low, the
test win be the most severe that could
be applied
There is one other consideration
strongly commencing the inquiry with
q view to drawing the supply from
the east, namely, the betterment Of
conditions in the east end of the city
In which direction only can Sacrament
to expand. Our present system of
water pipes is such that the diameter
of the pipes diminishes toward the
east. We are, therefore, constantly
pumping against a resisting cushion,
and augmenting friction. The result is
that we. suffer constant dead loss of
power. every pound of which costs a
liked sum Of money.
Secondly. the whole east side is re-
stricted in its supply, so that in case
of fire it is impossible to secure the
amount of water necessary to insure
the rescue of property from conflagra-
ton. Yet the people of the east end
are taxed precisely as much for water
and maintenance of a water system
and fire department as are those on the
west and north who have far better
service.
This gross injustice depresses values
in the whole east end, and the loss is
distinctly represented in the assessment
roll. 1t also prevents the rapid and per
manent upbuilding of the east side. We
are firmly impressed with the belief,
that if water is introduced to the pipe
system on the east, giving it constant
enlargement of flow as it is forced west
ward, the saving in power, the aug
mented supply and enlarged protection
of property viii be reflected by immedi-
ate and large saving, increase of real
estate values, and immediate and rapid
occupation of the whole east side by
homes, thus enhancing the material in
terests of the whole city and justifying
upon strict economic basis the invest