The record-union., 1899-10-12
TO HIRE A WATER EXPERT.
ALLAN HAZEN OR RUDOLPH
HERRING PREFERRED.
The Water Question is to BE Thor
oughly Sifted by National
Authorities.


There was a special meeting of the
Citizens Water Committee at the rooms
of the City Trustees last night, the
special order of business being the
question Of hiring Expert Hazen OF
New York, or some other acknowledges
authority, to survey the local situation
and report on the question OF a water
supply for Sacramento.
Mr. Arnold of the Committee on the
American River reported that the COM
mittee found a great piece OF work
manship in the dam at the North fol k
of the American River near Auburn.
His committee thought the dam was
the greatest in the State, and that the
river would be sufficient to supply the
city, or even San Francisco. The dam
owners, he said, would soon submit
figures on two propositions-one to de-
liver the water at the dams the other
to deliver it here.
The Committee on Wells filed data
on wells in the vicinity of Sacramento,
concluding by saying that there was
no prospect of funds for practical
test, and with the suggestion that the
matter be placed in the hands of the
Committee on Purity and the Commit
tee on Wells be discharged.
Mr. Lindley said the data of his
committee related chiefly to the mat
ter of purity and geological conditions,
and should therefore be considered by
the scientific section of the general
committee, the Committee on Purity.
Mr. Hall thought the committee
should not be discharged, but should
ask for money to carry on its work.
Dr. Power thought the entire mat
ter should be postponed until the ques-
ton of hiring an expert be settled. He
thought it was not the province of the
committee to investigate everything
suggested. A man might offer sup
ply of water from the moon, but the
committee could not think Of inves-
tigating it. He thought sure an ex-
pert would soon eliminate many prob
lens now under investigation.
Mr.. Bennett said he had a report on
wells. He came from Jackson, Mich,
a town of the size of Sacramento. on
the Grand River, a small stream. The
town used the river water some years
ago, but it gave no satisfaction. Later
borings were made for salt, but arte-
sian wells were found in the city This
was twenty years ago, and recently
wrote to my brother there for results.
He said the people were still using the
we'll water in preference to the river
water. Two artesian wells supply the
city, pumping into a tank. Fires, how
ever, demand river water, and the
water works are owned by the city,
where rates are very low.
Mr. Lindley reported that Mr..
Schussler had returned the 50 offered
him by the committee to pay his fare
on his recent trip here, with the sug-
gestion that the money be applied to
charity.
General Tozer said he believed in
hiring one or more experts to investi-
gate the water supply, and that a To-
cal engineer should also be hired to
look into questions.
DR. Henderson took issue with an
editorial in an afternoon paper, say
ing he believed fully in hiring an ex-
pert at once He also thought an eX-
pert at the outset would have proved
a saving.
AN expert might at once eliminate
one or more supplies now under con-
sideration," said the DOCTOR land we
ought not to delay the work. There
is no doubt that we can never solve
this problem until we get expert opin-
ion, and the sooner we get that opin-
ion the better. With expert advice we
are working in the light; he will tell
US what to do and what data to find.
Mr. Scott said: I'VE have three
sources of supply-no more. I think
each committee should come in with
a complete plan, and we should then
have the expert pass on the three com
plete plans cost and all.
Mr.. Hassett believed all great plans
were the result of eminent engineering
and he agreed fully with DR.. Hender-
SON
Mr.. Lindley thought Allan Hazer
would be a good man to pass on tn:
sewers as we'll as on water supplies.
DR.. Power thought experts could
readily solve the problem, for deciding
such questions was their daily work
their vocation, their function in life
He thought experts would soon elm
mate features, thereby saving expense
He said he had been a water analyst
for years, but he would not by any
means undertake to solve the problem
of water here: hence he was for ar