Albuquerque weekly citizen. (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1891-19??, 1906-03-31
UNSOLICITED LETTER FROM
HYDRAULIC ENGINEER JONES
On the Water Bond QueSFiOn--H VIII Sc Suici-
dial to Interests of albuquerque to Purchase
the Old Plant at Any Price.

IN the ura place Oct me say that The present water
plant insofar as 80 goes and the quality of water furn
shcd there bo found but little objection The kaa-
mcn pipes better than many would have them to Boz
$50 far $50 good. but Che vital point ct tho whole
question Chat mosi concerns che city, % ho city main
ains ia present growth. ca n tho inability OF further
onolont extension Of tho prosen, Distributing system.
M FACT, THE LIMIT or EFFICIENCY ie NOW
REACHED, AND PERHAPS eLcHrLV SURPASSED.
This more especially applies to the tire service rather
than TO lawns aud domestic uses
Doubtless. The question VIII be asked. How do we
know his Go De- a iact9
Tho ropIy e caser given thon would De- 90 correct
the evil Tho dinculiy Yes ln The sMALLNEss Of the
chief distributing mains The only solution of this prob
loin i wish Co build for tho greater Albuquerque,
that the system Of mains Doe replaced by larger
ones This ihen would mean Noe inevitable recinHtrucan
LOT the WHOLE DISTRIBUTING SYSTEM and 10 doubt
lefs the most serious question now confronting the
Water supply company. ~ rs CHIEFLY FOR THIS
REASON THAT THE CITY SHOULD NOT BuY
TIC PRESENT PLANT At. ANY PRICE, HOW.
eoEVER SMALL. Were the distributing pipes
on an average Of SIX inches IN diameter greater
then there would most certainly be one good
for purchasing the present plants and Tor myself
am strong believer In municipal ownership Of public
utilities.
The extra s5oooO above the s2sooao for the purchase
Of the present plant SEE forth ia the proposed bond
ISSUE would sufficient 20 make these changes
more effective distributing ayatem, much less 90 cy-
tend into territory MUCH or THE OLD PIPE
WOULD UNAVoipABLY DC SPOILED nv TAKING W
UP AND THE CITY WOULD SUFFER- a CORES.
PoNDlNo LOSS THE7EFRoM
AANihNl lthAulef ilh NfNhNut phhl lihI u NlIN"lIr
able o the location the pumping station. This by a
means. ahou be- two miles up the river from ltB
present site 70 is ho Inferred that Che water b. ln
any way contaminated. but s the place 90 get the
water supply from the heart cf the city there o.
certain degree Of risk regardless Of the greatest procau
tons.
IN summing up the whole proposition, Il cannot be
shown that water could be furnished any cheaper
through municipal ownership Of the present plant than
what the Water supply company s now doing.
II Is certain that plenty Of pure mountain water can
De had, by gravity system; thus. forever ollmnai Ing
the constant expense OF pumping by costly machinery
The storage reservoirs would be located Jar away from
the dust and smoke OF the city The Highlands or
would become the great residence section OF the city,
and would be supplied with water with sa much ease,
under the gravy system, the low lands ln the valley
The hydraulic pressure head could be made any desired
unit Tor fire protection The park grounds that
gross viii doubtless SET apart for could be- beau
titled
beg 20 say, In conclusion, that would b. Ear bet
ter 20 extend the existing franchise 90 period o. say,
twenty five years. with the Of reduction
IN the present water rate, THAN FOR THE CITY TO
TAKE OVER THE PLANT At ANY PRICE, OUR
TAXES ARE NOW ALR~ST PRoHlBiriVE; WHY
RUSH THE MATTER WEN WE HAVE EVERY.
THING TO GAIN AND NoTHiEo TO LOSE, az WAIT.
liner
Tho time s not a great distance n the future until
We are ready for municipal ownership of a modern
gravity system, furnishing pure mountain water. that
viii ultimately prove greatest drawing card Tor ou-
sders and genuine blessing the donzens OF the mu-
InlcIpuliy. Very respectfully.
| FAYETTE A. JONES