The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-19

This means that MINNEAPOLIS nn,,st po
to Mile Laos, which is ninety miles
away, or to some other large BODY Of
water, possibly Lake Superior. Mile
Laos is about 220 feet higher than the
reservoir basins and water could be
piped from that lake to this city with
out pumps. To prevent conta1nina-
ton, Minneapolis would be compelled
to obtain control Of the Mile Laos
watershed. This expense with that Of
a conduit ninety miles long might
amount to 100000 and It MIGHT
amount to great deal more. 70 sup-
ply Minneapolis would in time take
the whole normal flow Of the Rum
river and deprive Anoka Of the water
power which is the mainstay Of the
town. Whether this thing could be
done is mater for further consider
alton.
1t is not even known that Mile
Laos will furnish an adequate supply.
To ascertain this and to survey the
conduit line would cost several thous-
and dollars if the work is properlv
done. The lake must be sounded all
over, the waters analysed, borings
made along the conduit route, care
full surveys taken, and the feasibility
of the plan thoroly established be-
fore any estimates Of expense are
possible.
The Lake Superior Plan.
To bring water from Lake SUPERIOR
involves a plan so stupendous that
Minneapolis alone might we'll quail at
the prospect. Not only would there
be a long aqueduct system, but the
water must be pumped from the ele-
walton of Lake Superior, which is
somewhat lower than 700 feet, to a.
Wh oh
Minneapolis. Mr.. Redfield estimates
that it will be necessary to raise the
water 900 feet above the lake level
Two sets Of pumps and possibly three
sets would be necessary for such a
herculean task, and$the pump system
would have to be duplicated to guard
against accidents.
This stupendous !. enterprise would
require about s30,000,000. Minneapo-
lis could hardly undertake it alone
But st. Paul, Duluth and other cities
could unite in the work or the state
of Minnesota could take a hand and
derive handsome revenue by selling
to many small towns along the line Of
the aqueduct.
Theoretically, it is the duty of the
aldermen and officials connected with
the water service to decide all these
questions and provide the means, but
oil dCI1VS, V16OI puO11C S0AClIl0It
backed by an aggressive and persist
ent body polite is always necessary in
carrying out great reforms or great
enterprises. While the duty is sup
posed to lie with the servants selected
by the people. the latter must keep a
watchful eye on it's servants AID the
t"pure water" reform is one that the
people must force thru if it is to go at
all. The line Of procedure would
'nrObab1v he as follows:
4, First-To impress the aldermen
with the fact that the whole COM
mu1iity insists on having pure water
and that it is necessary for the pub
lie healt1.s ~ ss-s@ ~. a. 4-;~gs7
'second-To see that the proper au-
thorities agree on the, most desirable
method of obtaining pure water, and
secure careful estimates asr to the ex-
pense. IT,.
Third-To see that funds ARE pro-
vided for the work either thru GaEtbond
issue or thru a special tax levy. rig =
A citizens committe consisting. Of
representatives from the commercial
bodies, Improvement leagues and other
Organizations might. be necessary to
conduct the campaign. II