Cañon City record., 1906-12-20


question. SS
In the first place. / az ,mewhat
opposed to publishing thu = * points
of the community to u e s ,rld, and
regret that such was ev me. but a
rumor soon becomes geT informa-
ton, and several years it became
q well known fact at ie that at
times this city was sho water. and
that the difficulty wou crease with
the growth of the city, and the fact
has been talked SO much and later
published to such an extent that we
may say that with the name OF Canon
City goes the information that there
Ia a shortage, and at times a very poor
quality OF water. So that tthe issue is
upon US and should be met and settled
now. and the hope is that we may be-
come united on some plan and all work
together TO terminate II to the best ad-
vantage. for dissension will ruin any
city as disagreements will bankrupt
any firm or quarrels will break up any
family.
This. like all other questions of pub
lie concern. has two sides. and certain
some good arguments on each side,
most OF which have been fairly we'll
discussed. and l may not be able to
bring out any new thought or argu-
ment. for personally l have not gone
over the ground from Canon City to
Cottonwood Creek. or visited the creek
at all. but there are some substantial
facts upon which we must all agree,
viz:
year an inadequate supply OF water.
and during a portion OF the year that
which We do have is of very poor quail
ity. and while these facts exist we can.
not hope to thrive as city even of
the present size. much leAs to grow
and keep pace with other cities OF our
owl class, as long as the business men
hare to leave their stores and offices
when thirsty and either 20 home for a
drink Of boiled or filtered water or go
from half TO one mile 10 the Soda
,cprings or to drug store and buy
distilled water. and those who are not
10 situated that they can do either
must drink polluted water or go with
out, ms we often do. for the water is
often unit for even bath or laundry.
Then, taking II for granted that we
ali agree that we very much need-in
fact must have sooner OF later, better
and more water-the problem is.
where can and shall we get IL?
admit that the Cottonwood was not
the source I had looked to. and, as has
ideas suggested where and how we
should try for this water supply. and
SO far as / can learn none OF us have
made n thorough and careful test of
our plans. and II is questionable II we
are capable of doing SO until our City
Council, which we chose and elected
to serve us, with the water question
the paramount issue. and we must ad-
nit that these gentlemen went right
to work. gave the matter much time
and thought. and. with the help and
advice Of one OF the most efficient
scientific engineers TO be found. as
sisted by our own efficient City Engin-
eer. have. as is generally admitted.
made most thorough investigation of
the whole matter and the territory
available, and after doing SO have, as
we believe, unanimously decided that
the Cottonwood is the only absolutely
reliable source Of supply for us.
while our Mayor and City Council
have been at this work the balance OF
US have looked on and listened, and
some have gone outside of what infor-
nation the Council and newspapers
have given US and talked with old
settlers and stockmen. most all of
whom we believe have said there was
at all times nice clear stream OF wat
er flowing In Cottonwood. while some
have said that during a short period
In the late summer the stream was
quite low, and even these people have
said there was always some water rum
ming, and we know that II there is at
all times some water running on the
surface there is much more In evid-
snce just below the surface. and 1t has
already been clearly stated that there
are at least two good reservoir sites in
this stream, either of which II properly
damed would hold sufncientwater to
supply the city for months; 90 that