Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-04

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ASSISTANT CHIEF OF POLICE
AMOS ATKINSON.
of these changes, but the scheme of
abolition should be settled as soon as
possible, in view of the magnitude and
Importance of the problems connected
Herewith Vigilant care should be
taken that the interests of the city shall
be paramount in deciding upon a plan
which must stand for generations, a
help or a hindrance to our city's devel-
opment. A mistake in this matter
means not only waste of expenditure,
but 1t means an irreparable injury,
reaching farther in its disastrous effects
than misstep In any other branch of
municipal enterprise. The judgment OF
the keenest minds will be needed to In
sure a safe decision in this matter. The
public must have confidence in the plan
adopted, and therefore should be con-
suited as to it's opinion, so that the
council and the people will act together.
l therefore recommend that a commit
tee of the city council be selected to act
with committee OF citizens to report
plan for this work, and that friendly
agreement be made with the railroads
interested, to carry out the plan adopt
ed; but this failing, resort be had to
legislative relief. Do not let this cloud
of uncertainty hover over us any Ion
ger, and if the city decides that it does
not at present care to grapple with this
question, or if it is manifestly impossi-
Bile to accomplish the end sought, then
let US ask for a permanent exemption
from the operation of the grade cross
ing act" and confess our inability to
meet the problem. Whatever we do in
this behalf let it be done with vigor,
courage and dispatch.
WATER DEPARTMENT.
The water department is now in a
condition to supply the needs of the
people, with such increase of population
as can fairly be anticipated, for a num-
Der of years to come. The Kettle brook
supply can be utilized for either high
or low service, and may be further de-
veloped by building an additional reser-
voir whenever necess. v in the future.
The Tatnuck brook sned can also be
| made to yield further supply by the
same means when it shall become ad-
visable. Separate high service pipes
sides of the city, and, when united as
they may be at or near Webster square,
no contingency likely to arise can, even
for time, deprive us of this needful
supply, in case of fire, in territory over
which they distribute.
The condition of the dam at Bottom
ly reservoir ought to be thoroughly in
vestigated, and, if dangerous, strength
ened, as the city can afford to take no
tel ~ &c l5,k ~
time, the outlay should not exceed what
may be required to make it safe. With
certain small pipes replaced by larger,
in localities where dangerous fires are
likely to occur, our water service will
be such as to meet the draught of as
many streams as our fire department
can use, with such assistance as can
well be brought from other places. A
readjustment of water rates might be
made, both advantageous to the city
and consumer, but in any change the
waste and too lavish use of the water
must not be encouraged; for, although
our supply is now ample, we must real
iZe that acquiring new water shed
means a considerable cost, and that no
resource, however ample, can suffer
waste without eventually impairing it.
A 40-inch main pipe has been laid as
far as Webster square, connecting with
L l
can be taken water from both the Lynde
and Kettle brook systems. 1t is de-
signed to extend this line through the
city to Lincoln square. With this and
the 30-inch main from Holden reservoir,
and with two high service mains, one
20 and the other 24-inch, it would seem
possible to fully supply the city with
water, both for domestic and fire serv-
ice, when such suitable distributing
1,tI -l,o1 i ~. -
various sections. Altogether, the city
has, at the present time, 1856 miles of
main water pipes and 1885 fire hydrants.
In the year ending November &c. 1897,
there was used metered water and for
street sprinkling, 1211, IA, 975 gallons
and from 1887 to 1897, the consumption
of metered water has more than
doubled. In the last ten years the con-
sumption of water was increased over
100 per cent, while the number of con-
sumers has increased less than 50 per
cent. This fact is significant of what
the future demand will be, and, to-
gether with other data, may serve to
keep the full Importance of all phases
of this department well in mind.
LIQUOR LICENSE COMMISSION.
The question Of who shall be given the
legal right to sell Intoxicating liquor,
will never cease to nave its bearing on
municipal politics until the commission
is appointed by some official not holding
an elective position. In order words,
the saloon influence will be felt so long
as there is a single connecting link be-
tween the granting of these prizes and
the political organism Of the commu-
nifty. However selected, each member
of this board should hold office for a
term of years and be ineligible for re-
appointment, thus making sure of no
demoralizing revolution in any one year,
but providing against an impregnable
monopoly of profitable business. l
urge a careful consideration of this
question, with a view of taking the ap-
pointment out of the hands of the may
or and placing it beyond the reach Of
political power.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
No one doubts the wisdom of the
change whereby service on the police
force was made permanent, instead of
being annually the subject of demands
and favors, embarrassing the executive
In attempting to get the best results for
the city, and, at the same time, dealing
justly with the applicants Under the
civil service system, with tine discretion
sallowed the mayor, the yearly scramble
Jis avoided and the service improved. I
suggest that the matter be investi-
gated and the question considered as tn
whether the offices Of chief and deputy
ought not to be made permanent. but
with the power Of removal for cause by
the mayor, and right to appoint in
case of vacancy, without a civil service
examination.
With the removal of the fire appara-