The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-09-04
THURSDAY. SEPTEMBER 1. 1902
A WORD TO CITY COUNCIL.


IT is seldom that The FREE Lance
undertakes to give advice to the City
Council. Indeed We feel that it il al
most presumption on our part TO do
SO for our City is governed by body
of intelligent citizenS-men of brain
and men of business acumen and eN-
perience.
We do feel it our duty however TO
urge upon them the great necessity
for speedy action on their part look
ing toward the improvement ~ our
water works. Almost the first ques-
ton asked 10y a prospective settler
j.. how about water?
Now we all know that the water
used 10y this city is good when it Is
properly cared for and we also know
that there is plenty of it when We
make the proper preparation for Sc
curing il.
1t is true that We have one settling
basin and that when the demand for
water is not too great. it will hold n
sufficient supply tomeet the demands
made upon it but in summer time
when possibly twice a. much water Il
used than at any other season of the
year. when there is greatest necessity
for pure. clean. clear water. the sup
ply is inadequate TO meet the de
mand. hence we have to resort to the
best means at hand and use the water
almost as it comes from the river-of
a milky. muddy color. Now this j.
not the fault of the watercommittec.
nor can the blame be laid at the door
of the Supt. of the Water Works for
all of these gentlemen have repeated
ly called the attention OF City Coun-
ell to this short coming and have r.
commended a proper remedy.
Then again. it would be we'll for
our City Fathers to remember that
the Fredericksburg Of TO day is not
the fredericksburg of even 10 years
ago. Year after year the demands
Tor water are increasing. When the
present water system was inau-
gurated the population OF this city
was not as large a. it Is to day. We
had fewer manufactures using water
and the present system OF sewerage
was only dream. Today We are q
city. We are reaching out, over I'll,
Country, the hand of invitation 1,
prospective settlers aswell a. to larg.
manufacturers to make this thei
abiding place. We want then to com,
among US and believe that by thei
coming our city may soon reach ia,
zenith. OF her ambition, to wit:-be
come one OF the leading and mos
progressive places in the South.
We have all the natural advantage.
that the heart Of man could well DE-
sire. Our shipping facilities are equa
to that oimany places having a mucl
larger population.
fredericksburg is the natural out
let for a rich and prosperous rura
community. Our citygovernment i
in the hands of gentlemen who's
characters are above reproach.
With this splendid opportunity f
become one of the stars in the great
constellation Of progressive South
ern cities are We to neglect the ques-
ton of water supply?
THE FREE LANCE does not propose
tocOndemn any one but it does seem
that out city lawmakers have become
just "A little forgetful of the great need
for the improvement and enlarge
ment of the Water Works. True il
will cost something but should the
next three years be as prolific of re-
suits, financially, as was the last one
the receipts from water rents alone
would pay for the improvements.
We trust that this matter NAV r.
ceive the earnest attention and
prompt consideration OF City Coun-
ell and that at an early day, the sup
ply OF water in this city may be both
clear and plentiful.
In its issue OF August both, the