Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1906-02-16
TAXPAYERS
FAVOR PLAN
Need Of Gravity Water System to Re
place the Present Makeshift
Agreed to by All.
THE wAsMANsDoRFF REPORT
Appears to Present Solution Of Diff
cuIty-Ample Supply of Pure Wa
ter is Needed.

1t is a long time since any propos.
ition relating to public improvements
has attracted so much attention and
awakened SO much interest as the re-
City Engineer Otto +. Wasmandorff
in relation to a gravity system of
water works for this city. There is
no need to review that report eXten
sively. as every one appears to have
read it. Briefly stated, he finds that
such a system as he proposes can be
constructed at an expense of not more
than 100000: that bonds for its am
cunt can be issued, in addition to the
existing indebtness, without exceed
ing the legal limit for which the city
may issue bonds: that the interest
on a bond issue of $4,000 would be
more than met by the saving effected
in doing away with the present pump
ing plant etc, SO that there would be
no increase whatever in the rate of
taxation because of this proposed ex-
penditture; that the plan will give
l-ewistown a supply Of pure water ad
equate for the needs of a city of more
than $1,000.
All Favor II.
Assuming that Mr.. Wasmansdortf
is correct in all of his conclusions,
and that there is no engineering or
financial obstacle to the plan. the tax
payers appear to be unanimous in
their approval of the project. 1t is
realized that the present system is lit
tie better than a makeshift. The pow
er to operate the pump has to be pur.
chased from private company, and
there is no certainty that it will al
ways be available. More important
is the fact that the plant may break
down and leave the city without water
at all any time. This has occurred
before, and is absolutely certain to
occur again. The pump is getting
somewhat rickety, and in time a new
one will have to be purchased All of
these obstacles will be overcome by
| putting in a gravity system, and the
only question asked is as to whetn-
Ell it can be done at the figure named.
There ought to be no doubt at all as
| to that, as Mr.. WasmansdOrff offers
to give good and sufficient bond to
accomplish it at figure not exceed
ing 100000. Mr.. WasmanSlorff Is not
standing in the position of bidder
for the work, but he is quite willing to
undertake it on those terms. This
would seem to wipe out the only pos
sible objection.
What Citizens Say.
A number of citizens were seen by
the Argus yesterday, and their ex-
pressiOns are given herewith.
| Mayor Jesse Pinkley: The plan is
one that commends itself to me from
every point of view. The improvement
is one that is urgently needed right
now. The longer it Is put off the
more difficult will it be to carry out
the project. We are growing com
munity and We have got to look ahead
a bit. This plan seems entirely prac
ticable, and ! believe it is our duty
to solve this water problem now.
Alderman Tubb: The plan is all
right. l think We ought to take it up
without delay and my opinion is that
it will be done. If the plan is adopt
ed by the taxpayers. in April. We ought
that month or along in May.
Cashier F. f. Wright, of the Bank
of Fergus County: l strongly favor
the plan. 1t is not only providing foI
the future, but meets a present need
We must have pure water. This plan
really ought to have been adopted
when the present system was put in
i Alex. Lehman: l am for the plan
| te, T., =
to carry it out. AS matter of fact
it has been delayed too long already
1t would have been good policy t.
have carried out such a proposition
in the first place.
cellent one from all points of view
We need pure water, plenty of it, an,
adequate protection against fire. /
city's water supply should never be |
matter of uncertainty, and this plan
it seems to me, will meet all Ou
needs.
George j. Bach, cashier First Ma
tiOnal Bank: If Mr.. WasmansdOrff's
conclusions are correct, l do not SEE
how any argument can be made
against this project. Everyone under
stands that the present system can
ioI poSoiDly HICCl Jul HccuS-lI
, fact, it does not even now. ASSUMING
} again that Mr.. Wasmansdorff is cor
rect l am heartily in favor of thu
plan he has submitted.
f. w. Mettler, secretary Fergu.
} County Commercial Club: A gravit,
} system is what We want. The pres
ent system does not meet our require
: ments, and in very short time will
not begin to answer all our needs
, We ought to have this improvement
, just as soon as possible. If delayed
| obstacles will come up, and 1t will
/ prove more difficult to cary it out. Tht
financial features Of the plan ought t.
commend it to all taxpayers and bus
mess men, and no doubt the engineer
J ing part of it can be passed upol
without much trouble or delay.
, will. in my opinion, be mistake Il
delay carrying out the plan.
Former Mayor w. d. Symmes. VIII
left for the east Monday morning
said before his departure that the plal
: had his warm support. While he wa
mayor. he spent considerable time il
investigating the matter. and he i
thoroughly posted on all of its fea
: lures. Il think we should put in tn