The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-08-02

will take early measures to nave this
condition remedied.
We should have for the fire depart
ment a modern hook and ladder truck,
because at the present time there is
no satisfactory way Of reaching upper
stories from the outside of many of
our buildings. This was demonstrated
clearly during the late fire in the Dac-
res hotel, when much valuable time
was lost in getting the hose upon the
roof of the building.
We have one first class engine. The
others, however, are not to be depend
ed upon in case Of a general con-
flagration. The engine which is To-
Gated in the central station should be
replaced by a new and up-to-date ma
chine. I advise the selling Of the
two old engines and the purchasing of
another One would not, for a mo-
ment, think of hiring a first class me-
chanic, giving him poor tools to work
with, and then expect MIN to accom-
plish gratifying results. No more
should we expect our firemen to do
good work unless we get modern ap-
paratus sufficient to work with. With
these improvements, and the installing
Of more alarm boxes, our fire depart
ment will be all that could be asked
for.
Street Lights.
AS we are not in condition to sup
ply our own lights, there is not very
much at the present time that can be
, said of this department. We should,
nevertheless, have better check on
these lights; we should. see that they
are always in a satisfactory condition,
and we should not pay for them when
they are otherwise.
Water DEPARTMENT.
In all rapidly gro wing cities it is a
serious problem to procure an ade-
quate supply of pure water for the
city's inhabitants. Many cities all
over our land, are spending millions
of dollars building reservoirs and lay
ing pipe lines to bring this indispen-
sable element within the reach of the
individuals within their limits. Some
cities reach out many miles, con-
denim and utilize large areas, and Oft
en- appropriate thriving farms and viii
lagos for their storehouses. We are
very fortunately situated; we have the
purest water of any city in the north
west. Our present supply, however,
is insufficient; the city is growing rap
idly, and at the present rate Of
growth will within a few years reach
out and take in our present source of
supply. Therefore, even if our sup
ply were abundant, it would be nee
essary for us to secure a new source.
Water Experiments.
For years we have been expert
menting. We have spent thousands Of
dollars on a makeshift policy, trying
to develop a source of water supply.
We nave endeavored to reach the un-
derground reservoirs in different places
and invariably our efforts to find an
adequate supply have been failures.
1t was necessary though, that this de-
Veloping work be carried on, because
a large number of our people were
firmly convinced that this underground
supply was within our reach, and there
was no other way to settle this Ques-
ton without doing this work.
Even if we could find an under
ground supply it would be a dangerous
proceeding to develop it and eXpend a
large amount of money in bringing it
to the city, for this reason: Expert
ence has taught us that these under
ground streams are liable to become
clogged, and to stop altogether. 1
think, therefore, that every person
who has given the matter any thought
whatever is thoroughly satisfied that
the only way for us to do is to go
up the stream twelve or fifteen miles,
take an adequate supply and conduct
it to the city, so that we can have
an abundance for domestic uses, for
our lawns, for our fire department
and for our street sprinkling. Our
beautiful lawns and shade trees are
great attraction for people seeking
homes. Why not furnish an abund-
ance of water, so that our lawns and
trees will not suffer for lack of moist
ure, and our citizens will be encour-
aged to build lawns and to plant trees?
Now I am not advising the depletion
of Mill creek to the injury Of any per-
son or persons. 1t may be necessary for
us to enter into condemnation pro-
ceedings to secure this water supply,
but if we injure any person or per-
sons the city will be in duty bound
to reimburse them for any damages
sustained.
Thomson's Investigations.
About a year ago you passed a res
olution engaging the services of one
of the best hydraulic engineers on the
Pacific coast, to assist in working out
this problem. He has gone over the
situation and report will be due from
him during the month of August. 1t