The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-16
not In FAVOR
OF BOND ISSUE
REAL ESTATE BOARD DISCUSSES
CITY WATER SUPPLY.
Professor Winchell Explains His Theory
Of Subterranean source-City En-
gineer Rinker's Reply-Mayor Jones'
Views Explained in a Letter to Rep
resentative Johnson Further Inquiry
Desired.
Desired.

resentative Johnson-Further Inquiry
Desired.
! The Minneapolis Real Estate board
has declared against the ACCESSIBILITY
of issuing bonds at this time to the ex-
tent Of 100000 for new filtration
plant to improve the Minneapolis water
supply. This action was taken at the
banquet at the Nicollet last night and
means that the influence Of the board
will not be exerted for the measure now
pending in the legislature, legalizing
such an issue. The board favors delay
and not a final abandonment Of the FL
tration project.
The decision was reached after a
spirited discussion in which the oppon-
that the bonded Indebtedness Of the
city was already too great and taxpay-
ers over-burdened. -
Professor Winchell was given an oppor-
tunity first to explain his theory Of the
subterranean water supply. Professor
Winchen is an eminent geologist and
what he had to say with regard to I'M
In brief his theory is that this city is
nnderlaid by two strata Of water-b bear
ing stone, the first Of which is about
200 feet, deep; the other about 400.
These subterranean water supplies are,
according to his theory, fed by the
Mississippi river, which it has been
claimed loses part Of this water into
this subterranean deposit between here
and Little Falls. The water in the
pressure to such nextent that in some
cases it rises to the surface of the
ground and he claims will always rise
to the level Of the Mississippi river.
His proposition is to sink wells into
the subterranean supply and pump
pure water into the reservoirs. He
contends that So long as this subter-
ranean supply is fed by the river it
estimated that the wells necessary to
supply the city could be sunk at an ex-
pense Of not to exceed 100000. His
estimate, however, did not provide for
the pumping or the piping.
Professor F1ather Of the university
followed Professor Winchell and pre-
sented facts with regard to the exp peri
ence Of other cities in this country and
supply permanent. He cited the expert
ence Of other cities which had attempt.
ed to supply themselves with water from
wells to show that the supply was not
permanent and that it was expensive in
delivery. '.'.'
other ArteS1an Wells.
4 Andrew Rinker, city engineer, pre-.
in connection with the large under:
+ ground sewer to show that one outlet fol-
water from the sandstone stratum was
sure to affect other outlets in the form
Of wells. The artesian we'll near the
old Chamber of Commerce had been
suddenly dried up by the opening from
; the sewer from the new Chamber OF
Commerce building into the sewer tun
} mel. Mr.. Rinker. also read a letter
from the city engineer Of st. Paul tt
the effect that the we'll supply, consti
tuting a part of the water system OF
, that city, was failing and that it would
ultimately have to be abandoned.
The sentiment Of the engineers was
| seemed to satisfy those present that il
, would not be wise to incur the expense
Of installing system of water supply
! from wells when experience seemed tt
, demonstrate that such sources were rare
ly permanent. !. = - ~
F. w. Cappelen, former city engineer
, member of the special commission ap
pointed by the council to report on i'm
provement Of the water supply, showed
the difficulties and great expense in
cident to dealing with subterranea1
waters and attributed the recent great
fire in Sioux City to the weakness Of
, their subterranean .system-a system
| which is already inadequate and must b.
J abandoned. -.-.
, Health Commissioner P. M. Hall, DR.
, Frank F. Wesbrook, state bacteriolo
, Bracken and DR.. Dunsmoor, urged. tn,
absolute necessity Of taking immediat,
action to purify the city's water sup
ply. In "a dramatic way, DR.. Duns
i moor warned the men present tina
, some Of them would have persona
| cause for regret for their action in tn,
l possible deaths Of dear ones from ~ty
: phoid. r.
Former Mayors Ideas.
The action Of the board was support
| ed by Mayor Jones and by: forme
7 Mayors Eustis . and Haynes. Mayo
: Eustis urged that the city 90 slow il
the matter. He called attention to tn,
: fact that the city was already taxed Sc
r not be taken until all phases Of tn
situation had been investigated.
"Let us wait until the spring floods, ,
i he said, "and then, if we do not hav
? typhoid we will know that the NOV
i ing of the pumping station up the rive
! will have done much in solving the diff
|, fculty. Then, if we still need the fl
s tration plant, the. legislature, whicl
meets two years from now, can pas
the necessary BILL
: Representative L. H. Johnson read
q letter which he received recently iron
$ Mayor D. P. Jones on the subject O
!. water filtration.
f DR.. P. M. Hail. commissioner O
Q health, in urging the necessity for i'm
mediate action in purifying the waite
: supply, said that Minneapolis was tn
:. hea1thiest city in the world in spite o
o typhoid, and warned his auditors tina
t unless they wanted repetition Of tn
o typhoid scourge, they would declare 70
|. the filtration bonds.
f Speeches were made by J. G. Haynes
: alderman Charles B. Holmes, j.
y Mccall and R. D. Cone, whose resolu
ton in opposition to the issuance o
8 the bonds was adopted. President S
t s. Thorpe Of the real-estate board ORE
n sided and acted as POSTMASTER. Abou
r seventy-five members of the board wer
/ present and several invited guests.
n @% THE MAYORS LETTER