The San Francisco call., 1898-05-13
PURE WATER
 NOW ASSURED Success Finally Crowns Persistent Efforts of
 The Gall. Sacramentans to Be Protected Against the Sewage From
 Folsom Prison. State Officials Join the Chamber of Commerce Committee in the
 Good Work.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

SACRAMENTO, May 12.-The Calls victory for the people of Sacramento is now assured. Yesterday afternoon a committee from the Chamber of Com merce consisting of President D. A. Lindley, Secretary J. O. Coleman and Legal Adviser Alvin J.- Bruner took hold of the matter of the prison sewage at Folsom, and it can be said with cer- tainty that their efforts will bring | about the desired result
 l Armed with copy of The Call con- taining the interview of Dr. Matthews, the committee visited the Capitol for | the purpose of first seeing the doctor, in order to secure his cooperation in their plan to present the urgency of the sit uation to the State Board of Examiners. The committee next visited the Secre- tary of State, Hon. L. H. Brown, and, much to their satisfaction, not only found MT. Brown in perfect sympathy with them, but before they left he had telephoned to Folsom regarding the matter and pr missed to do everything in his power to the end sought. In an interview this morning with The Call correspondent the Secretary of State said: Delays are dangerous,
 
 people is at stake. When the gentle men from the Chamber of Commerce visited me yesterday I congratulated them on the evident interest they were taking in this all absorbing question of pure drinking water for our people. Two of our men in the building are now confined to their beds with typhoid fever, and l am firmly of the belief that much more sickness will come early lp the fall unless something is done with the sewage which is now dumped into the American River"
 When asked what course he advised the committee to pursue MT. Brown re- piled:
 They should first go to the Board of Prison Directors and have them lay the facts before the Board of Examiners, who have the authority to provide the means whereby Warden Aull can con struct a sewage plant similar to the one contemplated in the Ennis Assem- bIy bill, which passed the House but was defeated in the Senate last session. I have committed myself to favorable vote on the proposition, and believe l am entirely justified In the premises. This is an unusual year, one hardly contemplated, and as a State official believe it my duty to provide the means by which the State at least will be ab- solved from the awful responsibility
 
 event of a deadly epidemic.
 So encouraged did the committee feel after their interview with MT. Brown that they immediately decided upon systematic and aggressive campaign against the threatening evil
 D. A. Lindley, in company with an engineer, left for the prison at Folsom this morning with view of ascertain ing the exact cost of the proposed plant. The purpose of such action was to fortify themselves with facts which would serve a practicable purpose in their petition to both the Board of Pris- on Directors and the Board of Exam iners.
 The Prison Board meets next Satur- day at San Quentin. At that meeting the committee from the Chamber of Commerce will present the question and ask for a favorable consideration at the hands of the board. If successful they will then present the recommendation to the Board of Examiners, and 1t Is hoped that before the month of May has passed the people of Sacramento will have an opportunity Of rejoicing
 The action of the Chamber of Com merce dispensed with the necessity of proceeding criminally against Warden Aull. consequently Trustee Paine has not insisted upon the issuance of the warrant. On the other hand, the pres enC course Will HO uOuDl lSSull more satisfactorily, as no one wants to see the Warden subjected to prose- cution, when it Is known that no one has been more emphatic in condemn ing the present practice than the War den himself. While Trustee Paine has been relieved of an unpleasant duty, his action in declaring his intention of swearing to the complaint no doubt did much toward stimulating more con- servative and effectual proceeding.
 D. A. Lindley, president of the Cham Der of Commerce, returned this even ing from Folsom, where he had gone for the purpose of consulting with the Warden on the question of the prison sewage. MT. Lindley, in an interview wiht The Call correspondent this even ing, said:
 My trip to Folsom was a most satis- factory one, and the result of my meet ing with the Warden will be an imme- diate step toward the end of our pur- pose. Warden Aull is in hearty accord with the proposition to construct a sewage plant at the prison. as the pres ent practice is not only an injustice to the people of Sacramento but the health of the prisoners is in constant danger. The Warden expressed a desire to have the matter brought up at the meeting which will be held in Folsom, and I am in favor Of complying with the re- quest.
 Consequently we may not appear be- fore the board at San Quentin Satur- day. but wait until they have their meeting at Folsom the following week."