The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-04-27
WATER SUPPLY DISCUSSED.
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
TAKES ACTION.
Eavors Pure Water, but Wants
Other Bond Propositions
Voted on First.

Several citizens who have taken
deep interest in the subject of much
needed city improvements were present
by invitation at the meeting of the
Chamber of Commerce Directors LAST
night
President Miller stated that consider
alton would be given to the subjects
which are now claiming the attention OF
the citizens, and in that connection ad-
dressed the Directors as follows:
'Gentlemen: Your minutes of the
past year or two will show that this
Chamber of Commerce has investiga-
ted and has approved, in general terms,
Of the propositions for building: First,
q High School; second, a wharf; third,
sewers and fourth. a water main. The
expense will be nearly 100000, and an
election is about to be ordered on the
issue of bonds therefor.
I'VE did obtain from Mr.. Grunsky
few hours service on some questions
collateral to the sewerage matter, but
not enough to give US full information
The city, has now employed him, and If
he reports plans for which the bonds
are desired this Chamber Of Commerce
is bound then to- give the whole subject
very full consideration. In fact, it seems
to me that we must be in favor of is
suing the bonds unless we find sub
stantial reasons for opposing the issue.
Presenting a favorable report Of the
engineer the main reason for opposing
the issue of the 100000 bonds would
be the question of clear water. Some
will think that this issue should be post
poned until a plan for providing clear
water is also agreed upon, and the en-
tire expense then submitted to the
voters. Others will think that the
100000 issue should be carried and
that the investigation fer clear water
should be begun at the same time and
carried ahead vigorously, claiming that
this search VIII require several months
and that the city should not be without
the sewer. etc, in the meantime.
you have been called together to dis
cuss this situation. We have a partial
report from the Committee on Clear
Water, which was read a week ago and
then laid ON the table. Permit me to
suggest the following order of business:
''F'irst-Take up said report and read
it again.
"Second-Consider whether the $780,
900 bond election should go on; provided
we first approve the engineers report,
meanwhile taking proper steps and
ample time for the clear water inquiry.
''Tbird-Coneider whether the Mayor
and Trustees should select large COM
mission of citizens to investigate the
subject of clear water and to report
plans; said commission to have au-
thority to employ engineers"
The propositions were considered in
their order, and the following report
was read:
To the Board of Directors Sacramento
Chamber of Commeree-Gentleme
Your special Committee on Water Sup
ply respectfully reports that we have
endeavored to obtain all the facts nee
essary to enable us to report upon the
several plans which have been consid-
cred feasible for furnishing an ample
supply of good, clear water for the city.
but in view of the Importance Of the
subject and the difficulties of getting
accurate and reliable information on
cost of plants for the various systems
and the operating expenses of the same,
we can do no more than outline the
character CT the work done to this
time.
First-We examined the filtering
plant installed at the Water Works by
order of the Board of City Trustees.
and from the information obtained
there, together with reports from sun
dry persons who are familiar with the
results of operating similar plants on
large scale, we conclude that it is posi-
bic to get clear water by mechanical
filtration, and of good quality, the sup
ply to draw from being unlimited.
Second-The proposition from the
North Fork American River Ditch
Company was next taken up, and your
committee visited the property and in
spected the same from the dam near
Auburn, where the water is taken from
the river to the reservoir at a point
near Orangevale. This plan provides
for filtering plant at the reservoir,
and that only clear water shall enter
the line of pipe that is to convey it to
Sacramento Your committee ccnsid-
cred the supply available from this
source sufficient for a population of
10000 or more, hence the supply is
ample. The attractive feature of this
proposition is that the water would
reach Sacramento under gravity
pressure of about seventy pounds, thus
dispensing with all pumping, which