Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-11-30
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF WATERWORKS.
Meeting Held at Court House Next Saturday
EYenng-AIl Citizens Exnected There.


Evening Citizens Expected There.
Each person having the information
necessary to give a comprehensive anC
complete article on the proposed new
water works plant in Grand Rapid.
has neglected to prepare data for Suct
article that would enable US to sub
nit to the voters all the information
on the question that they are entitled
to. 1t is a case of whats every
| bOdy'S business is nobOdy'S business. :
lt is now too late to prepare full
statement of the benefits and adyan.
tageS to be derived from water works
but we will try to touch upon its
salient points and answer the most
important questions to be considered
by the voter in deciding how he shall
mark his ballot next Tuesday, Dec. 5
| Let us first consider the
| COST OF THE PLANT-Careful eSti-
mates have been prepared of the
entire cost Of the waterwOrkS plant
including all materials. The entire
expense is placed by experts at about
SIG, 800 Or somewhat less than that
sum.
WHAT WE GET-ThiS estimate in
cludes 1000 feet lover II miles of l.
inch best iron main pipes; 325 feet OF
| best 10 inch iron main pipes: 1850 it.
lnearly y miles, of s inch best iron
main pipes: S400 feet of inch best
iron main pipes: 10 good standard fire
| hydrantS: two large pumps with boiler
of capacity to run them: a brick
building 25X50 feet with 60 foot stack:
1900 feet of intake pipe. Reservoir
10 tt. high. IS feet in circumference,
a standpipe so feet high and 20 feet in
circumference and all of the necessary
drayage, packing, lead and other
accessories and all of the labor re-
Quired to install the plant
How PAID.-The. plant will be paid
for at first by money raised on bonds
which are secured by first mortgage
on the water works plant. The bonds
to run five to twenty years at 4 or 5
per cent interest the interest and part
of the principal payable each year.
This question of bonds held in trust
delicate part of the proposition and
your attention is particularly directed
to careful study of that feature
KIND OF WATER.-The water pro-
posed to be furnished to the city and
the citizens thereof will be the best of
spring water procured from the many
springs to be found either above or
below the city. Several sites are in
contemplation, which can be had at a
reasonable price either OF which will
furnish sufficient water for drinking
and fire purposes.
WHERE The MAINS WILL BE LAID.
The impression seems to have got
~ + nfnr,
benefit the business part of the city
only. This is error. Less than / mile
OF the mains will be in the business
part of the city and nearly five miles
Of them will be distributed through
the residence parts of the city. One
main will run down the street to the
west Of the fair grounds, one
main runs up Oak street and
connect with ali the others. one
main will run nearly the whole length
OF Milwaukee avenue, one main will
run up High street and up past the
Green Bay depot to near Mr.. Canning's
residence. From these mains other
cross mains are to be run so that all
parts OF the residence portion of the
city will be within easy reach of
hydrantS for fire protection.
The RUNNING EXPENSES be
paid, first, from water rentals and
second, if water rentals are not
enough, then probably the balance
will be raised by taxation.
IHE ADVANTAGES-tO be derived
from good system of water works
are many. First, insurance rates are
decreased. One insurance agency
here says that the decrease in inSur-
ance on residence property where there
is good water work system will be
approximately $500 per year on each
ST, 10000 Of insurance. Another SAYS
that there will be decrease of be-
tween $500 and $50 per 81, 100000 per
year. This means large saving in
insurance premiums to nearly every
householder in the city.
In addition there will be the added
protection not obtained by insurance
because tie water works is a prOtec-
tioI togo II entire building while in
surance protects only one-half to two
thirds of it's value.
GOOD DRINKING WATER-The time
has come when the water in many
wells in this city is unfit to drink
and as the city settles up more thickly
it will inevitably follow that the
water will become worse and worse.
Privy vaults. stables and slop holes
will soon fill this sandy soil with filth
in which germs breed and with them
come disease and death.
PUBLIC MEETING NEXT SATURDAY.
All persons interested in this
problem of water works will find it an
advantage to attend public meeting
to be held at the Court House next
Saturday evening, beginning promptly
at 7:30 o'clock. Mayor II. Wipperman
and the committee on water works
will be present to answer all questions
that are asked and to distribute all
desired information concerning the
proposed system. Prominent citizens
will speak. A chart showing the pro-
posed location OF pipes and hydrants
will be there. The intelligent voter
will certainly be on hand. Come pre-
pared to get at the bottom facts and
bring your friends with you. Your
vote is important and it is important
that you should vote right at this
time.