The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1906-04-04
LET THE CITY
Do THE WORK
IMPROVEMENT CLUB SAYS, HURRY
Ask City Council to Go Ahead Under
Competent Engineer, and
Build Sewer Itself.


night in the courthouse. The resolu-
ton was introduced, discussed thor
oughly, pro and con, and was finally
passed unanimously.
The resolution was introduced by
o. A. Fechter, vice president of the
organization, who presided in the
absence of President Alex Miller. In
substance it was as follows:
That the city council be requested,
at its next meeting to advertise for
no new bids; that a competent san
itary engineer be appointed to take
charge OF the construction of the
proposed sewer along The lines that
have already been mapped out; that
day work on the system be COM
menced at once, and completion of
the sewer be hurried and concluded
at the earliest convenience.
Considerable discussion was had
upon the delay of the city up to this
time in getting something started,
and this is the first time that the
council has been appealed to by any
organization in the city, to hurry
the matter along. Just what the
council will do in the matter is not
known as there has been a DISPOSE
ton to await the opinion of the citi-
zens as expressed in public meet
ing.
It is we'll known that Mayor Reed is
opposed to city construction of the
undertaking. Some of the reasons
advanced by the mayor are worthy
of consideration. He says that stat
ute prohibits more than AN eight-hour
day for all labor employed by any
city, and that, as a result, contrac-
tor could get two hours longer work
from each man, if the work were ac-
complished on contract. Another
reason is that the city would not be
liable for damages resulting from
personal injuries, if the work was
prosecuted by private contractor
instead of by the city Mayor Reed
IS also beginning to be of the opinion
that Pat Mullin was somewhat justi-
fed in refusing the contract, as he
has discovered that it is a fact that
labor has risen in vaue to the extent
of about 90 per cent. There is also
little doubt but what there has been
quite an advance in the price of pipe.
For these reasons Mayo Reed thinks
the city would do better by asking
for other bids, ana foregoing the
construction of the sewer until fall
or winter.
Great criticism has also been
made concerning the size of the pro-
posed trunk sewer system, the may
or, among many others. maintaining
that it is altogether too small for
what North Yakima expects to be
within the next few wears
Some of the sentiments of three
of the councilmen, as to what mat
tiers will be presented to the council
Monday night, as well as their ideas
on the question are given below.
Councilman VIM. Thompson in
substance said: "The most import
ant subjects to be considered at pres
ent are. first, the question of addi-
tional lighting for the city; second,
sewerage, and in this connection
there should be provided plenty of
sewer connection to make it more
easy and convenient for all who are
not on sewers to make connections:
third. street paving. In my opinion
the bitulithic paving is the best. 1t
Is composition of stone and btu
men. Asphalt Is a composition of
most durable, the easiest to keep
clean and less noisy than brick and
easier on horses feet. AS to the
lighting question, at present the city
is paying $3.50 per light per month.
On time contract the Northwest
Light and Water company will give
the city $50 per cent more light for
only S1.75 more per month, or at
the rate of about SIS per light, and
will put the light in the middle of
the street or putting lights on the
street corners the gas company asks
considerably more per light per
month.
"As to the question of the sewer, if
Mullins don't go on with the work
we will have to advertise for new
bids, or else the city will have to go
ahead and do the work itself. This
will be a difficult thing at this time
owing to the difficulty of getting ma
terial and men. | realize that the
sewer system that is about to be
built is insufficient, but it is too late
now TO change our plan, as 1t was
for that system the bonds were voted,
however, it will be a big improve
ment over our present system. The
future prospects for our city are
brighter now than ever before. Now
is the time to prepare for it and help
| it along These three questions
ought to be worked up by all means,
They should be brought before the
people and they should be acted
upon"
Councilman H. H. Schott: 1.-THE
sewer question will be the main is
sue to be considered Monday night.
have been away and haven't had a
/ chance to look into the street light
/ ing question yet. l do not think
anything will come up regarding
street paving Monday night. The
property owners have their commit
tees out looking into the matter. As
soon as they outline a plan we can
then consider the question.
Councilman Lane: 1.-THE import
ant questions to be considered are:
The West Side saloon question, street
paving, sewerage for the city. street
lighting and the removal of the tele-
phone poles from the streets to the
alleys or have the wires run under
ground. / think the West Side sa-