, 1906-02-23
THE WATER QUESTION.

me Literary CluD was ploiihS VI
suits. 1t demonstrated conclusively
that the people are a unit in favor of
the Improvement of the water works.
At the same time 1t was developed that
a number of our people are opposed to
bonding the city to the extent of $780,
I 600, feeling that an adequate system
can be constructed for less money.
We cannot nave a good water system
without paying for it, and there is only
one way for tho people OF Laramie to
pay for this system, unless they so
down in their pockets and pay for it
all at once. and that is through the is
suance of bonds. The law provides
for this and the law cannot be changed
TO suit the notions of each individual.
II We are to have a water system, we
must get together upon the proposition
and make up our minds to proceed in
the manner provided by law, otherwise
years will be frittered away and some
great catastrophe will be required to
arouse the people to action. Now is
the time to discuss the question and to
discuss it fully. The people who own
homes and have suffered with poor SER
vice and inconvenience for many years,
should put their shoulders to the wheel
and urge with all their might the i'm
provement so much needed by the en-
tire city.
In a few weeks the rolling mill will
be in full operation. 1t will use a large
therefore be restricted to a much great
er degree han during the time the
rolling mill has been clooed. 1t is an
institution no one cares to handicap
in the slightest degree. We all wish
that the compan would open up and
foster other industries in our
ity and we would be willing to provide
all the water needed, provided We could
agree on the plan of constructing the
works.
Mayor Mckee and City Attorney Nc
Murray are now working upon a state
ment to be given to the people. 1t will
be comprehensive and will set forth
just what the city government pur-
poses doing. 1t is not the idea to go
ahead independent of the Union Pacific
company, but the construction of the
city system will be contingent upon
the putting in of the main ~aqueduct
by the company. Further, it is not
the purpose of the mayor and council
to spend any more money than is alb
solutely necessary to complete a good
system. No more of the eighty thou
sand in bonds will be issued than need
ed. If construction rates can be OBJ
tanned for the shipment of the iron
pipe, $4,000 will be cut off the item of
freight, and there are other economies
that are now being carefully studied
and will be taken advantage of. 1t is
all folly to talk of an independent com
mission to handle the water question.
No such thing is provided for by the
statutes and the entire matter is in the
hands of the city council, the duly elect
ed representatives of the people. There
is no reason for taking the matter
out of the hands of the council. AS
stated at the meeting of the literary
club, a majority of the people of Lara
mic voted to entrust the affairs of the
city to these men, they have proved
themselves worthy OF the trust and we
should now proceed on the theory hat
they will handle the interests of the
city with that same degree of care
and economy they would give to their
W private business. AT any rate, the
law cannot be changed at the present
time to suit the whims of those who
are suspicious.
Much stress has been laid upon the
fact that no detailed plan has been
made by a competent hydraulic engi-
neer. For a very good reason such a
plan has not beer made. There is no
money for such a purpose. 1t would
a TX at least a thousand dollars to
make such a plan. 1t is a fact however.
that the men who have given Mayor
Mckee n the council advice in this
matter are the most competent civil
engineers in the entire west. Mr.. Hunt
ley and Mr.. Merriam of the Union Pa
cifc are eminent in their particular
line Of work. They have made the sug-