Evening journal., 1901-09-27
rnn REsERvoR slTE

THE RESERVOIR SITE
The Water Commissioners, in the pur-
chase Of a site for a new reservoir
which is intended to enlarge and im-
prove our water supply, have made
a move in the right direction. The city
is growing rapidly, and already at cor-
tain seasons, and in certain districts,
there are threats of water famine
Sentiments OF economy, and spasms Of
virtue from Council. must not stand
in the way Of improvements that are
vital; and a good water supply is vital.
There are certain duties imposed upon
municipalities which cannot be evaded
without the neglect being criminal.
and TO supply pure water in ample
quantities, is the first Of these.
The people cannot supply it them
selves, and upon it depend the health
and cleanliness of the masses. There
are three essentials OF municipal
water supply; it must be pure; 1T must
be copious, and IL must be cheap. Uponl
the fulnllment Of the first requirement
depend the health and comfort OF all.
And the second is equally important.
since its affects sanitation. The poorer
classes should be encouraged to use
more water. and IL should be supplied
as freely as air
To do this It is necessary to spend
money; and in order to meet the de-
mands upon our water supply, new
reservoir is imperative There are parts
of the city, particularly the Ninth
ward, whore at times the inadequacy
of the present supply has been pain
fully evident Our citizens should not
be obliged to beg for this necessary
commodity, but may demand it as al
matter of right
Council in directing the City Auditor,
10 withhold his signature TO the first
check in payment for the new site. has
assumed the indefensible role OF OBJ
jecting to a vital requirement The
reason for it's action seems evident,
since the purchase OF the property will
reduce the surplus which the Water
Commissioners will turn into the hands
of the City Fathers at the end OF tae
fiscal year. There are a hundred ways
in which the city could practice econ
omy, and these are known TO none bet
ter than to members of Council We
want retrenchment in nearly all lines
but the expenditure of money for
copious supply OF pure water is as nee
essary as it is for individual families
20 buy coal to heat their houses this
coming winter
The only basis for a possible objec-
tion is that the Water Commissioners
have contracted to pay a price that is
unnecessarily large, and the question
also is being asked why so great tract
OF land is necessary.
The objection that the Commission
ers have no right to go outside OF the
city limits in extending the water sys.
TEN. is certainly an absurdity. for in
most municipalities a water system
cannot be maintained in any othel
way Often dams are built and aque
ducts and reservoirs laid miles away IL
the adjoining territory. Besides, in tn
act creating the commission, there Il
no such restriction. but that body 4
given the right to take water from "an,
point" of the Brandywine river, 20
other wholesome water" and to do tina
their jurisdiction cannot be confne
to the city They are also empowere
to purchase and hold real estate nee
essary for constructing aqueducts, lay
ing pipes, constructing reservoir
erecting buildings and machinef
proper for the said works" That woul
seem to mean that in this instance, Il
Water Commissioners have acted wit
in their powers. And it appears tn
Council is seeking to prevent the col
summation Of the purchase Of this sit
in order to secure the surplus from Il
commission.