The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-05-18

Having long drawn salary city official in charge of
the water department. Commissioner Wetze renders an
accounting for his services in the prediction that this
mers water famine will be the worst yet inflicted by
ineompetency and neglect of the public water supply.
Hot weather approaching, epidemic already here no
Water-thiS is his stewardship.
Mr. WetZe at last realize that there is plenty
of water in the city WE'LL short distance from town. and
he has also made the discovery that the water will remain
III the well unless pumped out
Official expectation that it would fill the mains of it's
accord seems doomed to disappointment AS the
water department has displayed unprecedented patience
in awaiting this development and unsurpassed fortitude in
contemplation of its failure to develop the property
and tenant well will naturally be expected to exhibit
like composure when lawns parch and drinking water
is precious.
Of course if additional pumps installed the prob
lem would be solved. But placing couple of pumps is
very great problem In the first place they have to be
ordered, mater of profound and complicated diplomacy
Months must necessarily be consumed in the performance
of this delicate function That accomplished what else is
left the brain tagged official but to cons further pro
ceedngs to fate and the manufacturer?
If the manufacturer chooses to deliver the pumps in two
months three months, six months II months so it must be-
Mr. Wetze no prophet as to pumps, although bearer
OF evil dngs to the damage inflicted upon the city
through the derecton of the department which he
presdes.
City commissioners preceding the Wetze period of fam
inc required bond for delivery of pumps in 60 days They
also displayed some interest in seeing that the terms
Complied with They did not make practice of predicting
drouth and at the same time admitting inability to make
provision to prevent it,
While the city council must bear final responsibility for
utter Iare 10 prOf by last years water famln there
no question but that remedial action would have been
promptly taken last and fall had the depart
ments needs been inteigenty and aggressvely repre-
sented
Failure in this respect has brought Spokane to the
extremity where the water commissioner openly PIRATES of
unparalleled water famine
How many little lives say nothing of actual property
loss and the possibility of immense losses by fire. this
'famine" policy likely to cost Spokane?
And how much longer will Spokane citizens put up with
this sort of thing?
Surely the responsibility must rest ncompetency
is difficult to conceive that determination utterly dis
credit the city water system in order to divert private
ownership would be carried to such desperate lengths
An attempt has been made, however, to accomplish such
transfer and opposition to improvement of the city plant
has been visible since from the If Mayor
Pratt is in earnest about the city water supply being the
main issue before his administration his lack of inter
est in everything else will be excusabe if he will devote
the time to untangng the sinister and runous attitude of
the present water department.