The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-12-24
SOME SEWER SUGGESTIONS


SOME SEWER SUGGESTIONS
What Mitchell Should do With sani-
tary Sewer to Bring About the
Desired Results.
Marion, Ia, Dec. z, 1908.
To the Mayor and City Council of the
City of Mitchell. South Dakota.
Gentlemen: 1t affords me pleasure
to note the wonderful forward strides
made by you as q municipal commun-
ity during the brief time since my for
mer visit. On every hand l note
handsome and substantial monu-
ments to the courage and enterprise
of your private citizens. Buildings
and business enterprises which would
rebound to the credit of any city,
grace your streets, strongly proclaim
ing the solidity OF your present bust
ness interests and bespeaking your
future. These things contrasting
somewhat with others l have noted,
impress me with the belief that the
representatives in city government
have failed, in a measure at least, to
appreciate the great changes which
have been wrought among you. for
In some things they have not acted at
all and In others have sought to solve
present day problems by Anticipated
methods. Your village on almost
b%oundless prairie has suddenly leap
ed to the rank of q city with its en-
virons and has thrust upon you a
train Of complex problems which are
presented for solution to the govern
ment of every modern municipality
Your basic laws of rules and actions
have been changed, the rules of the
village not being applicable to the city
The temporary shacks have rapidly
given place to permanent structures,
while the city government retains
too many Of the village a marks.
The object Of your government is to
provide for the general welfare and
In seeking to perform this function,
the present demands must be met
c0urageously and the future needs
anticipated. In attaining these re-
suits 1t behooves you to promptly lay
out systems for permanent works
u,hSnh rs,hnn -IokoA w&l1 roo1,1 n
harmonious whole. l learn that you
have failed to provide one of the pri-
mary essentials to the proper building
Of q city. You have made no more
provision for the stability and per-
manency of your streets than has
been made for a country by-path. and
he who improves his property abut-
ting thereon has no assurance that
a grade assumed proper to-day will
be SO considered by those who in the
future may be in authority. To my
mind the establishment of a sys-
tenn Of permanent street grades by a
competent engineer. subject to your
review and final approval, is a mat
ter all important, for upon it will
largely depend suitable surface
drainage of your city and systematic,
permanent Improvement Of your
streets and alleys.
I note. too, that your business dis
trict for the most part is situated In
q basin which appears to receive the
storm waters from a considerable
area surrounding Il with, no ade-
quate provision for relief The an
nual damages to property. and losses
in rental value of Easements, to say
nothing of the menace to public
health. would soon provide storm
sewers adequate to meet every con
tingency.
The situation certainly demands
immediate and decisive action. I am
advised that you are already con-
sidering this proposition, and IL the
general plan. as explained to me, is
properly carried out, 1t will meet
your difficulties. When the lines and
sizes Of mains shall have been de-
termined. care should be taken to
insure INSTALLATION OF proper lines
and grades and the use OF nothing
but indestructible materials and up
to-date appliances.
You also are wrestling with the
problems Of sanitary sewers. and the
proper disposition q their efluents.
From considerations Of public health
and home comforts your other prob
lens seem insignificant. This is al
question which is brought home to
every household, whether situated on
the hill top or in the valley. 1t is an
essential to the convenience. comfort
and health of the occupants of every
home. Your predecessors in author
ity sought to afford relief to the
. E--ME