Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-20
MORE WATER SAMPLES
COLLECTED BY LOckRIDGE

In accordance with a resolution
passed by the city council Monday
evening, Mr.. Lockridge today collect
ed fresh samples of water to send 20
Prof. Smith, ar Beloit, for analysis.
Mr.. Lockridge is at present engaged
in completing and in making a
formal report on the samples
tested here. One of the princi-
pal aims of future analyses will
be the determination of the condition
of the intake pipe. Large pipes to
connect the intake pipe with the Sec
ond well have been ordered from
Chicago. In the meantime water will
have to pass through both wells as in
the past.
A special meeting of the board of
education was held last night so con-
slider means of supplying the schools
with pure water for drinking pur-
poses while the water in the mains
is in its present dangerous condition.
During yesterday Messrs. Marshall
and Robbins had spent some sine liz
devising plan which was considered
ample and at the same time economi-
cal for limited time, and upon their
recommendation it was adopted.
In accordance Herewith the deliv-
cry of water from the Mitchell G.
Lynde artesian well to the different
schools was begun by Spencer & Trefz
today. Large whisky barrels were
charred out. cleaned, provided with
faucets and covers and placed in the
n; ooA441z IN
smaller buildings and two in each of
the larger ones. The water will be
hauled in barrels every morning.
1t is estimated that co. gallons day
will supply all the schools. Mitchell
& Lynde have kindly aided in the
matter by extending piping from the
the basement Of their building to the
alley in the rear. where barrels can
be rapidly filled in the wagons.
The idea suggested by the THE
ARGUS of last evening of placing the
entire waterworks system of the city
in charge of non-partisan commits
sion has met with many express
sions of appreciation today. The at
tempt on the part of the Union this
morning to excuse the present condi-
tions just now when a municipal
campaign happens to be on is so weak
as to be ridiculous. In the face of
the prevailing conditions and existing
facts any statement, the object of
which is to divert the public
mind from what has been es-
tablished with reasonable certainty as
to the cause is, of course. absurd
The fact that the prevalence of ty-
phoid in Rock Island has been i'm
measurably greater than ever before
in the city's history is evident that
unusual conditions peculiar to the
past few months have existed here
The understanding that the reservoir
has not been in operation and that the
wells at the waterworks have been
found in a condition of neglect shock
ing almost beyond conception con-
tribute to a train of circum-
stances sufficient to satisfy the
average mind. It was only by
the merest accident, as mat
ter of fact, and from a source of infor-
nation that would, perhaps. not care
to be drawn into the controversy,
that Health Commissioner Craig says
he first learned that there were any
breaks in the wells at the waterworks,
and it was acting upon this informa-
ton that DR.. Craig and Prof. Lock
ridge entered upon tie Investigations
that led to the disclosure of the true
cause of the existing difficulties.
The case, take it in all it's bear
ings. is one that seems to suggest a |
searching investigation on the part
of the city, to the end not
only that the cause for the condition
1t the waterworks plant may be prop
ished but that it may be known for a
just to what an extent the
altering plant has been operated and
with what degree of intelligence, it
mas been managed.