The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-01
VaRHOOse Reads Paper Before
 Board of Trade.
MASS MEETING FRIDAY NIGHT
Municipal Officers, Board of Revenue, Sanitary Commission, Commercial Organizations and Citizens In
 General Asked to Attend.

At a called meeting of the Board of Trade yesterday afternoon resolution was passed requesting mass meeting of the officers of all the municipalities in Jefferson county the commercial and in- dustrial organizations and the citizens in terested In the problem to be held Friday night, January 2, at o'clock in the Board of Trade hall In the Tomlinson building, | 2O331a First avenue.
 The object of the meeting Is to discuss | the paper of J. A. vanHoose looking to | the erection of a 7O-foot canal to run | through Jefferson county and Birming- I ham, and to endeavor to formulate plan | to get this work done at once so that the | great industries of the county may have | a bountiful supply of water with which | to run their plants and that the people | may have a sufficient amount of pure and | wholesome drinking water.
 | Invitations to the meeting will be issued | today and full attendance is desired. | The water committee of the Board of Trade. which consists of John W. O'Neil, J. D. Collins, Colman Blach, John w. Tomlinson, Simon Klotz and w. D. Wood was designated as a special committee to investigate the matter and call this mass | meeting The committee Is also instruct ed to prepare set of resolutions or a plan of action to set before the mass meeting Friday night. Included in the in- vItation to be present at the meeting are the municipal officers of every city in the county, the sanitary commission, the board of revenue, the county officials, the Commercial club, the Wholesale and Re- tail Grocers' associations, all the com mercial and trade organizations fin all the cities of the county, and the citizens of the county who are interested in the water question.
 J. A. VanTIoose has been requested to speak at the meeting and to give the facts In connection with the situation. Below is a copy of the paper that he read yesterday afternoon before the Board of Trade, and which sets forth what he con- siders the greatest improvement which could possibly be made for Birmingham and Jefferson county.
 MT. vanHooses paper Is as follows:
 
 vanHoose's Paper.
 The question of the water supply of Jefferson county and of the Birmingham district Is assuming such absorbing pro- portions that I deem 1t the duty of every citizen of the county to offer with proper modesty and deference of opinion any suggestions which may assist to It's solu- tion. l. therefore, beg the indulgence of the public to set forth as briefly as pos- sible some suggestions in reference to this matter. It occurs to me that the question divides itself into four heads. First, better water for all; second, free water for many: third, cheaper water for all: fourth, more water for all.
 1. Better water for all. It seems to be now generally conceded that there must be decided improvement in the quality of the water furnished the people of Bir- mingham and the immediate suburbs. The demand for an actual as well as theoreti- cally contracted for supply of water which Shall be clear and suitable for all domestic purposes Is now assuming such proportions that the voice of the people of Jefferson county Is being raised in no uncertain terms through individuals and through boards demanding better water" This demand for better water is now 80 nearly unanimous that it practi- Cdlly TtSOlNtS ltStll lIltO qutStlOI OI "how" and from where" As to the ''how," 1t Is the belief of many that the powers of the sanitary commission of Jefferson county should be increased at the approaching session of the legislature, giving them the power and right to pro- tect from pollution all of the flowing waters of Jefferson county. Also that they be given power to provide as we'll as to compel the delivery of better water for all." As to the "where," that this same commission should be authorized to investigate all of the sources of supply for the county; to acquire and hold rights of supply and delivery. preserving and conserving both for the health needs of the county. The opening up of the Cahaba coal fields by new railroads now in pro- cess of construction and by others being projected, as well as the Inevitable set ting up of the attractive valley through which Five Mile Creek flows, presents a situation as desirable from the standpoint of development as 1t Is critically danger ous from that of health.
 Free Water for Many.
 g. Free water for many Among the needs for free water' must be discussed first the needs of those who in county or municipality are charged with the preser- vation of health, with the protection of life. An abundance of free water must be furnished by or for the use of the Jeffer- son county sanitary commission for fush- ing the sewers which they are now build Ing. This system of sewers maintained in high state of efficiency is an absolute necessity. Nothing must stand in the way or obstruct their speedy construction. and successful use when completed. Fearful retribution will be visited upon the peo- pie of Jefferson county If anything should be permitted to delay or prevent the com plete use of these sewers. What Is a sewer? Surely not alone the brick arches or the pipes. These are useless without water. The commission must be furnished with an abundant supply, with an over howingly abundant supply Of free water with which to complete the usefulness of their brick arches and pipes. From whom