The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-14
SCHOOL WATER
TO Be TESTED II; Il.
HEALTH COMMISSIONER ORDERS
TESTS ON THE WEST SIDE.
President Jones Of City Council Voices
His Views Against Danger of Even
Doubtful Water In Schools-Judge
Harrison for Pure Water for Entire
City.

In order to satisfy a large class of
citizens including parents of school
children and school teachers with re-
gard to the purity of the city water
on the West Side Of the river, Health
Commissioner p. M. Hall has directed
the sanitary inspectors to obtain sam
pies from several schools to be SUBJ
mitted to City Bacteriologist J. Frank
Corbett and City Chemist A. D. Needs
for thoro archaeological and chemical
analyses. He has designated the
Central, North and South High
schools and the Adams, Douglas,
Whittier and Corcoran schools as the
places for taking the samples. An
other test will also be made of the
city water at the webster and Sid
ney Pratt schools on the East Side,
which are expected to be clear Of
colon bacilli by this time.
Attention will also be given to the
water supply at the dairy farms. 1t
has been discovered that there are
several cases Of typhoid fever on a
single milk route in Southeast Mime
apolis. While this may be merely a
coincidence. a test will be made of the
water at the farm and if 1t IS contain
mated, the datryman will be required
to boil the water for rinsing his pals,
cans and measures.
The number Of deaths from typhoid
fever for Saturday and Sunday was
five, which is very high for two days.
Only four new cases Of fever were re-
ported to-day. however, V and the
health officials hope that this is an
Indication that the epidemic is on the
wane.
The position taken by DR.. Hall as
to the permanent abandonment of the
East and West Side pumping stations
for supplying water Is heartily sec
onded by President D. P. Jones of the
city council and Judge A. M. Harri-
son Of the district bench, whose views
are stated to T he J o ur a thus:
~, Mr.. Jones' Views. ~
Until, such time as the lower East and
West Side pumping stations shall have
been put out of commission finally, and
are no longer equipped to pump water into
the mains Of this city, 1t is unwise to per-
NIT the use, in our public schools, OF the
city water for drinking purposes.
While there can, be no objection to the
use Of city water If it is boiled. for drink
ing purposes, certainly where such pre-
cautions cannot be taken the children or
the public schools ought not to drink city
water.
AS a parent shall continue to object
dren, feeling that altho the chances of
disease are immensely reduced now, there
may be lingering possibility of contamin-
ated water. and until the above perfect
conditions prevail my children will not use
,, the water. -: ~ = 80 r =
While saying this much regarding the
extra precaution feel necessary fAr our
public school children, I do wish to say
that when the water Is taken entirely from
the upper stations, either one or both, we
shall have, comparatively speaking, most
satisfactory water supply for Minneapolis.
Few cities are as well located as we are,
! in having O. swift flowing and abundant
stream Of water running thru a sparsely
settled district to our very doors. as we
have, and unless we spend several times
| the amount Of money that now stands fo1
our municipal Indebtedness we cannot Sc
cure a better, or as good a supply, and
think typhoid will never become cpl
denic in Minneapolis from the use of river
water in future. ...sf
Contaminated wells, and other sources
from which germs may be conveyed, are
for the future to be dreaded rather thar
the river water. David P. Jones.
Judge HarrIson's Opinion.
I read with interest and qualification il
| Saturday evenings J our n a. an inter.
view with Health Commissioner P. M. Hal
upon the need Of a pure water suppl!
for Minneapolis, in which he states
among other things: 1.-THE improvement
| league and every organization in the cit.
should join hands to obtain good, SAT-
drinking water for everyone in the city,
AS a citizen interested in the healtl
and happiness Of Minneapolis. I wish t.
indorse the sentiment thus expressed an
the fearless stand taken by our headtl
commissioner in declaring for an activ
campaign to secure pure water
DR.. Halls reasoning that spring waite
In the schools is a useless expense, il
view Of the fact that impure water il
from pure water in the school, must ap
peal to every citizen who has the city
!. good at heart. Germless water for al
the people all the time should be tn
slogan Of every citizen until this condi
ton is realized in Minneapolis. ~
A careful study of the situation ha
J evidently been made by the health com
missioner, and I believe he outlines tn
: proper course Of action when he advises
.First of ALL the citizens Of MinneapoIi
should take such steps as would max
: it impossible to pump another drop {
water from either of the two pumpin
) stations at the falls into the water sys
) tenn of the city. If it. is absolutely neces
sary to use the lower pumps, let them
: moved to Camden Place.
> Pure water in the schools is necessar,
but it should, in my opinion, be secure
t by purifying the entire water supply, an
, steps toward this end should be take
without moments delay.
"A. M. Harrison.
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