Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1903-05-28
Water Works Proposition.

One of the things to be considered is
the fact, that the same water mains
thatare tos carry the water from the
present mains up to the Heights, will
serve as distributing mains to
distribute water with the aid of hose
over that part of town. The same
mains will also serve further double
purpose; they will carry the water to
an elevation so that tower for the
water tank will not be necessary. The
money that it would take to build a
tower upon which to rest tank at the
OLD site, will pay for the water mains
from the old site to the Heights. The
true idea is this; we can extend the
water mains to the Heights and then
build stand-pipe just as cheap as we
can build tank for stand-pipe on
the old site. We must get the water
height to get q sufficient pressure to
cover the buildings in the town.
Heretofore we have not had half
enough pressure. The FORCE of the
water, as much as the wetness thereof
puts out fire. We have heard some
would-be argument that to place the
stand-pipe on the Heights, is a scheme
in favor of the people on the Heights.
such talk is poor argument in the
| face of the fact that it will cost no
more to place it there than where it is.
An experienced water works man.
after looking over the ground and
| figuring on the two locations advised
the Town Council, that if any thing
it would cost little less to place it on
the Heights. Now since it costs no
more to put it there; why not PUT it
there? This surely is not game to
scratch our own face in order that we
may smash our neighbours nose, but it
is business proposition whether or
not we shall make arrangements to
supply the greater part of our town
with ample water protection. Protect
not only the stores and residences, but
also the churches, the Town Hall and
the school house, all of which we
would be obliged to rebuild should
they burn down. To rebuild the
school house alone it would take more
money over and above the obtainable
insurance thereon, than it will take to
contemplated. And the money it
would take to rebuild such buildings
would be just as dear to all of us as the
money is which is required to build
stand-pipe and water works.
Another phase of the case is this:
The old water tank will have to come
down as the tank and tower have both
been condemned as unsafe to the near
by residents. If the old tank should
fall and crush down a building or
crush out human life the town
would be liable to damage therefore,
and every property owner within the
corporation would be obliged to "dig
up" to make good such damages.
And no matter whether he had fire
protection or not. That matter is
settled-the old tank will have to
come down. And then what? There
is no money to build new one of any
sort or kind, or upon any location
unless the bonds are voted with which
to build. You surely can't think OF
, committing suicidal act and cut of
the town from all fire protection. The
moment you do that, you lower the
value Of your property ten times more
;; than what your share of the bond tax
would be. And you raise the in
surance rates all over town. The
merchant will have to pay more
insurance upon his stock of goods, anC
he, to keep financially even, will b.
goods here and there along the line.
But you say if we bond, the rate O.
taxation will be higher. No, it won't
The old debt will be paid off first, anC
then the new debt-the bonds-upo1
the same rate. We will pay off one
/. thing at time. And while we ar,
> paying off on the debts, we will add ,
block or two of laterals each year t,
those already installed out of tn,
general funds Of the town, and In +.
few years we will have the whole towl
under good system. ~