Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1904-05-27
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THE WATER WORKS PROBLEM.
In the struggle for supremacy, one
community over another and in the
building Up of metropolis de-
velopment of village into city with
all the cOnveniences, necessities, lux
uries and advantages that belong to
such MISUNDERSTANDING, go-ahead
people are usually beset with all sorts
of obstacles-legal, equitable, frivolous
and sometimes contemtable Bis
marck has always had a struggle
more or less strenuous, with varying
degrees Of success and failure, yet
withall, in the end more successful
are up against the proposition of CON-
plying with the requirements of the
interior department preliminary to the
building of an Indian school. The
location has been agreed upon and the
appropriation is available but the se.-
rotary gives out an ultimatum tina
before and further steps are taken it
will be necessary that contract for
a sufficient supply of water be made
with the government for period of
twenty years. The mayor of the city
and two other leading citizens, Col.
Little and Capt. Baker, constituted a
committee to visit Washington last
winter to urge upon the department
the advantages of Bismarck's prefer
ed site and surroundings. All OBJ
stacles have been overcome except the
single item of water-the most i'm
portant Of all from government view.
The Bismarck Water Supply COM
pany's franchise expires in about two
years. In order that it might comply
with the requirement of the govern
ment the water company asked for a
renewal of its franchise for twenty
years, and on terms entirely favorable
and fair for the city, as compared
with scores of other communities
where the conditions of pumping and
supplying water are more advantage
Gus. The present franchise allows a
maximum charge of $500 per hydrant
per year for forty MIGRANTS for fire
protection purposes-a constant pres.
sure and full supply at all times, day
or night. There is a demand for ex.
tension Of mains, and additional fire
plugs both for the purpose of serving
~ the outlying residents with water for
private use and for fire protection
The outlying residents have as much
right to these necessities and advan
tages as those more favored in central
locations. The proposed new fran
chise provides for 81 hydrants al
$50 per year each-a reduction of $2E
per year for each hydrant over the
present rate. By this proposed ar
rangement the city would have one
third more fire plugs for the same
cost as at present. AS compared with
other cities the following instances
will serve to show that the price pro
posed in Bismarck is not exhorbitant:
West Duluth-$S0 per annum for
first 30 hydrants, SIS for all in excess
of 80 hydrants. When city has popu.
lation of 10000 price to be reduced to
$50.
Little Falls-$S0 per annum; con.
tract runs 80 years.
Saltwater, Minn.-sS5 per hydrant
per annum.
Ashland, Wis.-$So per hydrant per
annum.
Clinton, Iowa-s75 per hydrant pei
annum -,
Cedar Rapids, Iowa-$100 per by
drant per annum.
Eau Clare, VISITS per hydrant
per annum.
Hannibal, Missouri-$75 per hydrant
per annum.
Hot Springs, Ark-$75 per hydrant
II per annunn. * sIs.s 49,.
I'D In none Of these cities are the con.
ditions OF pumping SO discouraging
I, and complex as at Bismarck. All
other cities pump clear water. Here
over ten per cent OF sand ia elevated
200 feet only to be dumped back into
the river. after settling. "A sliding
NIL e constantly breathing the supply
pipes and 4 shifting current and
caving bank makes constant changes
pf the intake pipe necessary. III