The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-03-06

sewage through its property Why not
suggest the diversion of the stream
which would be an advantage to both
communities:
1t is a far less expensive method than
to cover 1t through Green Ridge and
will obvjate all the other difficulties.
The speaker advocated q sewer system
big enough to carry of the drainage
Of the stream and then compel the
citizens along its course to connect
with 1t. He believed the women had
more courage and ability to gain this
point than the men, who are SO abom-
inably afraid 10 make a stir for the
public good because Of politics or
business.
THE WATER SUPPLY.
He then turned his attention to the
water supply furnished by the Scran-
ton Gas and Water company, stating
that with a committee of ladies, ac-
companied by Robert Reeves, he had
visited Elmhurst and the adjacent
sources of the reservoirs. The condi-
tions were found to be excellent, except
in minor respects. which were already
receiving the attention Of the company.
He then quoted many legal opinions
to show that action may be taken
against any Individual or collection Of
individuals who are guilty of pollutins
the source of a water supply. He con-
cluded by remarking that Pennsylvania
Is in the back woods as regards the
enforcement Of sanitary laws, and that
in his opinion q board Of health which
had the power to close UP libraries and
| other places IL 1t wanted to do so could
protect the public health through the
medium of water pollution.
Attorney s. B. Price then presented
the legal side of the questions at issue.
The municipality, he said. is clothed
| with power to effect these reforms. The
councils of Dunmore can carry into
court their plans of providing a sewage
| system, and 1t can just as we'll pass
an ordinance compelling residents to
connect with 1t or have the borough
| do it for them at their expense. The
water company can enjoin any one
who pollutes the streams Of its water
supply.
City Engineer Phillips followed with
remarks UPON changing the course of
the brook, which procedure he favored
the only difficulty being on Capouse
avenue. where perhaps the surface
| water may make some trouble. He be-
j lieved, however that this could be
| surmounted and asserted his Willing
ness to lend all the assistance in his
power toward the improvement ol
existing conditions.
MR.. SCRANTON'S REMARKS.
w. w. Scranton then took the f1ool
and made few remarks, in the course
of which he stated that he was glad
he had come and that the consumers
were no more anxious to receive pure
water than the company was to sup.
ply 1t. 1t was proposed to do every.
thing possible to provide such a sup.
ply. He was glad when the club caliei
attention to any aspects in the system
heretofore overlooked. Every sugges
tion would be acted upon to the utmost
ability of the company. He believed
that more could be done by private
arrangement that by litigation. Hi.
experience with law suits proved then
to be expensive. and the lawyers
seemed to get all there was in the
matter. OF course If the changes sug
gested should necessitate enormous ex
| peHSe IL "ouiu prODdDiy TeSull III y
raise in the water rates. The company
had made vast purchases hut of course
could not buy up the entire country.
Rev. DR.. Lansing briefly addressed
the meeting and expressed his pleasur;
at Mr.. SCranton's frank, manly way
of meeting the problems of a pure
water supply. He believed that the
course recommended was a good one.
This portion Of the meeting beinl
ended a business session followed
when the poultry question was dis
cussed and Mrs. r. f. Hurley. for tht
I committee. reported that arrange
ments had been made with a woman
from the country who would furnish
poultry three times a week for thu
same price paid for the cold storag 6,
supply now provided by the dealers.