Evening journal., 1905-09-12

the 9th inst. referring to the prevalence
of typhoid fever. and urging the iInmed-
iato construction OF filtration system
for tho wse' .pply OF the city, was
duly received.
III reply thereto We wish 20 say that
we have viewed with apprehension the
number Of cases Of typhoid fever ana
greatly regret that we are not IN posi-
tion TO deliver filtered water 60 the oiti-
zens OF Wilmington at the present time.
We are now proceeding with the con-
struotion Of the proposed new plant as
far as the funds in hand and In prospect
viii permit having contracted for the
construction Of the pumping station.
pumping machinery and forcing and dis
trbuting mains necessary for the deliv-
cry Of the water to the filter site and
we are about TO contract for the con-
struction Of the reservoir. These are al
essentials. without which the filters would
be useless, and with the completion of
these our available funds win have been
exhausted.
We stin hope. however relying on the
cooperation OF other municipal bodies
/ that a way may be devised whereby we
viii be able 10 proceed with the con-
struction Of the main filters so that the
work as whole may be completed next
season. We also hope to be able 20 in
tan a set Of preliminary or roughing
filters near the city mill site. which viii
remove from 80 to 20 per cent. OF the
Impurities before pumping the water,
and IL this alone were accomplished the
condition would be materially improved.
We shall employ every means within
our power. and shall take advantage
OF every vcstige of power granted to
the city by the Legislature to meet such
an emergency, IN our efforts to obtain
pure water for this city at the very
earliest possible moment and we trust
that with the consent and cooperation
of all The municipal authorities. we will
DE able TO raise the necessary funds and
accomplish the result. and thereby pro-
vent the possibility Of an epidemic of
typhoid fever or even a recurrence Of
the conditions as they exist to-day.
Very Respectfully.
Board of Water Commissioners
This question Of the practical eliml-
nation of typhoid fever by the purinca-
ton of the drinking water Is not one
OF an experiment; II is a question Of
cold, indisputable facts. fully corrobor-
ated by all the data extant, and con-
clusively sustained by all the students Of
santationi neither is it merely ques-
tion Of sentiment, but rather one Of
broad humanity and, If we must meas
ure it by purely commercial splrlt-one
OF dollars. and cents to the community.
Without any disposition TO present an
= array of statistics, or to repeat the fa-
milar arguments to sustain this point
of view, it may be stated without fen
! of intelligent contradiction. that the mon.
etary loss to this community. through
the ravages of typhoid fever VIII amount
TO over S250000 annually and this amount
! capitalized at per cent. represents IN,
sum of seven million dollars
e Is not the spirit Of humanity within
e us strong enough to induce us to loof
on this question solely with a view t.
aheliorating the terrible sunerings ano
decreasing the deaths resulting from thi.
T. dread dseaseq
But ignore this stand IL we will, and
stoop to the haser commercial point OF
n view can we not afford to spend few
p hundred thousand dollars to Offset loss
that is represented by several milionsf
n These are the conditions that must b,
s faced, and the responsibility for theii
continuance rests upon the municipal au
thorties. We therefore reiterate our re-
quest for a special loan under the cx
uaordlnary occasion clause OF the city
charter the proceeds thereof to be devoted
to the construction OF hltering plant.
Very respectfully yours,
{ Board OF Water Commissioners.