The record-union., 1899-10-22
THE TRUTH AT LAST.

Mr.. Rudolph Herring, one of the most
eminent water supply experts in the
nation, has been before the Citizens
Water Committee. Mr. Herring stands
pre-eminent in his profession. He is no
mere theorist, but besides being a sci
entif1c man, he is a practical engineer.
For twenty years or more his life study
and observation have been of water
supply systems, sewer systems, drain
age and the natural history Of watef
in the earth.
He is at present engaged as consult
ing engineer by San Francisco in the
study of the sewer system in that city
with Engineers Marsden Manson and c.
z. Grunsl1yA Mr.. Herringis the author of
the new sewer and drainage system Of
Honolulu. He is likewise the author
Of the new water supply system of
Philadelphia, which is to cost that city
S12,00QD00. He was the consulting en-
gineer engaged by the city of Chicago
in the construction Of the greatest sew
age drain system in the world. In
all parts Mr.. Herring is recognized as
an expert Of great experience, profound
learning and practical methods.
Such a man appeared before the Sac
ramento committee on Friday evening,
after a but brief opportunity to exam
inc Sacramento conditions: but he
grasped the whole situation, and with
the force of knowledge, genius and the
confidence of one who knows his foot
ing to be sure, he swept away com
pletely the whole mass and accumula-
ton Of petty doubling, conjectural and
pessimistic opposition of local origin
concerning the subterranean water
supply east of the city.
The Record Union" does not intend
to be boastful. It has no more than
.commendable and just pride, but il
cannot in the interest of common JUS
tice refrain from saying that on every
proposition advanced in this paper con-
cerning a water system for Sacramento
Mr. Herring's testimony gives the
Record Union" and the people who
stand for proper testing of the well
supply unqualified support
For instance Mr.. Herring, with the
emphasis of absolute conviction. de-
clares these truths, in uttering which
he is one with all the great authorities
First-That where a naturally filtered
and pure supply of water can be had
it is always to be preferred to one re
Quiring treatment or artificial filtration
Second-There is absolutely nothing
whatever in the objection that wateI
taken from driven wells is exposed u
the danger of contamination from sur
face waters or sources or from sipagt
from the river.
Thtrd-That at first glance the con
formation of the lands on the east sid
Of this city sustains the belief tha
deep below the surface there is a con
stant flow of water, pure and desir
able.
Fourth-That the probable source
are in the mountains, and that the fioy
is, as in all cases. toward the rivers.
Fifth-That all water we can TAX
from any source descends upon tn
earth in the form of rain or snow
That by passage through the earth
is purified, since rainfall is by no mean
pure water, but is charged with unde
sirable germs.
Sixth-That mechanical filtration is
last resort, and rapid filtration objec
tionable. That as compared with
natural subterranean supply in treat
ing surface flowing supplies there mus
be added the cost of settling and filtra
ton to the tune of some SS a millio
gallons. This for Sacramento, even a
her present demand, and taking no ac
count Of increasing demands, viii mea
$50 a day extra cost
Seventh That the cost of testing tn
quantitive supply on the east side is
bagatelle, and can be accomplished 70
$1,000 or $4,000.
Eighth = That all this chatter an
fearfulnes about the supply being pei
manent, land the fear that it cannot b