The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-11
WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK
Artesian Water for the City.

To the Editor of The Journal.
Considerable has appeared lately in the
newspapers concerning Professor Win
chell's plan Of furnishing the city with
sian wells instead Of using a $1,000, 900
filter plant to doctor the filthy river
water.
In view Of the human frailty of our city
fathers, which, charitably speaking, leads
them into SO many honest errors, the
heavily burdened taxpayers naturally pre-
fer water made pure by nature, especially
If it is cheaper, instead of the water our
erring public officials propose to manufac-
ture out Of our sewer-polluted river. Tho
not sufficiently informed to pass upon the
feasibility Of Professor Winchell's plan,
my experience and observation make me
appreciate its desirability. The "Grove-
land apartments where I live, consist
of six houses containing six flats. No
city water comes into the fats. Every
flat is furnished with pure, soft water for
all purposes by a three inch artesian well
less than 200 feet deep. Analysis by Pro-
lessor Drew shows that this water is good,
pure drinking water, no harder than the
river water. It is a great luxury to be
able to get good, pure, soft water in any
part of the house by simply turning a
faucet.
According to Professor Winchell the city
Henry, the owner Of the ''Groveland
apartments is doing for his tenants. I
have Professor Winchells written state
ment that the same water used in the
'Groveland apartments is so abundant
under this city that all the pumps that
man can apply cannot exhaust 1t.
An ex-city engineer tells me that there
/ is no engineering obstacle to prevent fur
nishing the city with this water for all
purposes at trifing expense. compared
with that OF the proposed filter.
member Of the recent committee
which recommended the expensive filter
surprised me by telling me that there is
not a single artesian well in the city fur
nishing water like that I am using every
day in the 'Groveland apartments
Others who have investigated say there
are numerous such wells
When the doctors disagree, what are we
poor patients to do? Can't we decide the
case for ourselves in some way? Are we
more likely to err than the city officials
are? 1855 A. b. Choate.
Minneapolis, Feb. 9.
Minneapolis Sidewalks In Winter.
To the Editor of The Journal
One of the disgraceful features of our
city-the condition of our sidewalks in
winter-Will probably never be remedied
until good law regarding the matter is
made and enforced, but probably much
could be gained by an improved and en-
| lghtened public sentiment on the matter.
IT the citizens Of Minneapolis were more
public spirited and thoughtful, and would
/ care for their own walks, a condition of
affairs could be had which would be of
inestimable value to the public at large.
| The people of the city are apparently
waiting for the city officials tc take some
action In this matter before an improve
ment can be hoped for, but if the indi-
i viduals would do their share without leg
islation and legal enforcement, much
could be done to alleviate the condition
now present, and this change would prob
ably work a favorable sentiment towards
strict enforcement Of rational law.
Minneapolis, Feb. 8. Pedestrian.