The silver state. [volume] (Unionville, Nev.) 1870-1903, 1902-09-01
A CRYING SHAME.

Last night there was enacted a farce
in this town which had plenty of spec
tators. but did not seem to amuse the
audience. On the other hand, there was
anger instead of Observation-Disclosures
instead of applause for the actors.
The people of this town were the audi
ence and the farce was enacted at the
%scholhouse, where for thirty minutes
the firemen awaited the pleasure of the
Winnemucca Water and Light Company
before there came through the hose a
drop of water which could be used in
fighting the flames which threatened the
destruction of the structure. So the fire.
Thanks to them, thanks to the plentiful
supply of sane at hand, thanks to the
early discovery of the fire, and in spite
of the miserably managed Winnemucca
Water Company, the town schol building
was saved from destruction.
Last night it was revealed beyond the
possibility of a doubt that from the time
the water is turned off from the mains
at night until it is turned on again in the
morning this town is absolutely without
protection from the ravages of the fire
fiend. There is nothing farcical about
this. 1t is a very serious matter. So
serious, indesd, hat the citizens of this
town, who have property interests at
stake, should see to it that the evil is
remedied and that the California mo-
nopoly is compelled to act in the spirit
of fairness toward those who are COM
PEELED to pay extortionate rates for the
few drops of water they receive during
the summer months.
Before the Winnemucca Water Trust
passed into the hands of the present
management it was also owned by San
Francisco parties. They practiced the
same system of extortion as lneir sue
cessors, but they did give the property
owners of town some protection from
fire. When the water was shut off from
the mains at night. the superintendent
was ready in case of a fire alarm to turn
the water into the mains at a moments
notice. Several times this %precaution
proved to be a wise one and resulted In
@S VI properly iOSS. put DOW
precautions of the kline mentioned have
been thrown to the winds. The water is
shut off at night and the keeps
no employee on duty to turn 1t into the
pipes in case of necessity. True, a tel
ephone alarm system is maintained, but
1T Is valueless. The alarm was sent in
from the hosehouse last night but was
nnf ox-l ma
finally turned on. after half an hours
wait. there was no need for it, as the fire
was out.
Had the fire broken out in the business
part of the town. there would AVE beer
no need for water after half an hours
wait. All the water in the monopoly
well and reservoirs would be useless III
fighing a fire which had obtained a hall
hours start.
This state of affairs is bad and 1t II
high time that the citizens of this town
are taking steps to bring the Whine
mucca Water Company to time. lie
them make the protest SO strong that tn,
corporation managers will understan,
that the people know their rights an,
Will not have them trified with as the,
have been. Let the protest be made RICH
now and not after the town is laid II
waste, as it is bound to be sooner or la
ter unless something Is done.
The columns of the Silver State ar
open for suggestions as to the manner o
dealing with this corporation and OBJ
tanning the righting of some of tn,
wrongs which it is visiting upon tn,
property owners of Winnemucca, chic
of which is the failure to provide them
with reasonable protection from fire.