The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-04-18

SEATTLE, TUESDAY, APRIL IL
THE CITY WATER SUPPLY.
f,es.v~red by cssy Carr


1t In unfortunate that there must be
further delay In beginning work upon
tbs Cedar river water system. 70 which
the people Of Seattle have been looking
for the past ten years for an adequate
sauply OF pure water. Ever since the
:iSs surveys were made by Benezette
Williams, In 1858, the public has On ex-
cry opportunity that presented itself ex-
pressed its desire for the carrying into
execution In some form the plans then
made for an abundant water supply for
the cisy. When the city authorities ex-
rjaained that more time gas required 10
make the necessary preliminary sur
ssxs. the public acquiesced. Again,
when Ii was stated that IL was neees-
sary to condemn the rigtt-of-way along
the pipe line and that the court pro-
eaedings would require considerable
time. no fault vas found. The people
recognized the necessity for going slow
that there might be no mistakes. They
made but three demands upon slse city
authorities. That the city own its wa
ter works: that the water be pure: that
the supply he ample
Readers OF the Post -Intei.igencer are
familiar with the proceedings Of the
city council and board Of public works
since the cali for bids Was first made
After the bids made under that call
were opened and certain legal questions
arsAe To ee settled hy the courts. an
Eastern company proposed 10 build a
large power plant on Cedar river above
the cltys intake for the purpose Of d.
seioping power and bringing it TO Seat
tie and Tacoma for manufacturing pur-
poses.
The charge has been made that this
~fn result I'm poliuting the eitys water
supply. /, has also been stated that the
supply Of water In Cedar river at the
point where the city's intake liz located
II. at certain SEASONS Of the year. Insult
ficient. These are vital points, in whicn
the public has the greatest possible in
terest. II they are true. no pains and
no expense must be spared 10 remedy
them.
MIR. Williams. an engineer Of national
gfseer Of Seattle. in whom the people
have confidence, both say the supply of
water at the intake Will be az all times
ample. The question ST pollution is now
being investigated b. AR Thomson.
and when his investigation il completed
he viii report to the council his conelu-
sions. II the council liz net satisfied. bet
ii employ further engineering talent
until IL Is convinced beyond question
that /; Is acting fer the highest and
best interests Of Seattie~~present and
future
In the meantime. the public should
hear in mind that inspired inters lew 5
ana inspired articles 10 an inspired
press aea uot 10 he taken too literally.
The clay COUNSEL should not permit
49, private business enterprise - cen
,nscs with the failure well.neing of the
Sly and the heath q sss residents
They should see e. It az all costs iha,
sha city secures an ample supply of 81
solutely pare water. under It's oau con
cttal. sufficient in quantity 20 naeat ths
~ rnanas II city of sYe times ths
present population Il Seattle. AZ the
same time no unnecessary obstacle
should Re- pus IN she way - espital
!. 4ssksng 10 develop and increase ths
Misunderstanding industries 4 our efty
s we want NOT only an ample s9ryly ot
fsire ~ater, hat d iArse POPULATION :,
use il
@@a'he fsaat~Intstisgeoeer believes n.
oley csuncii IS alive se sAe 5ntsfests 81
&he eltv. AMI tsas ,he paisl3, has n.