The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-01-22
FLOOD, MUD AND THE CITY COUNCIL.

Possibly the council will soemnly resolve that Provi-
dence to blame for the flooded condition of Spokane
the past few days 1t may considered in order to
censure Providence for his careessness in the matter
POSSIBLY the council may go tre farther than that but
possibility outweighs probability in the matter
doubtless nature negligent in not constructing
drainage sewer or canal connecting with the flat land in
Union park and other sections of the city The creative
process was LETT unfinished several sections of the
site Holes were left here and there and Peaceful valley
strung along beneath the brow of hill. Also the ground
is laid in such fashion that crossings sag unaccounaby
and small but onous lakes engendered there when
the clumsy method of watering the earth by rain and
snow operation.
You couldn' hold a councilman responsible for over
sights of that sort
What can be expected of human administration
under such unoward circumstances? 1t will be admitted
that something IN the style of natural drain flows
through the center of the city, but it's possible is
blocked by the singular fact that surplus water tho
surface will not readily into the river unless channels
are made TO influence 1T IN that direction You cOuldn
expect civic administration succeeding generations
OF them to overcome handicap like that could you?
, There is also to be considered the prospect that
thing resembling food conditions will occur again
They have been repeated every year since the valley
rolled, but that can't be taken indication that the
program will continue another year. Then why waste
public funds such uncertainty?
Besides the W. W. 7. Co. happens to need all the city
money in sight for the construction of its bridges Forget
about the foods in recovery from loss of this year and
preparation to climb high and fast next year.
Allowing somewhat for disgust the average citizen must
feel the wrongs and damages inflicted by absolute
property interests the part of the city council the
above is about the city hall attitude that has prevailed
in the past.
No splendid townsite was ever marked off on
earth than that of Spokane It's facilities for thorough
and sanitary drainage uneXceled Nature demanded
little in the way of combined cash and intelligence from
humanity in finishing her work here for she left but
fraction incomplete That fraction is still incomplete
Simple engineering will solve every difficulty that
fronts Spokane from any elemental source Common
in the legislative branch of the city government
enough to sop into the other civic departments is
all that is required. The public is furnishing the cash.
and more than occasion requires it not largely
wasted.
Instead of essential precautions large portion of the
public finds itself webfooted marooned exposed to actual
danger, valley cut in twain by river whose banks
high enough to obviate all danger of overflow. And
this condition has continued year after year.
Inadequate drainage although public money is fairly
poured into sewers when anything is attempted under
that head weird and nexplicabe engineering schooboy
city hall red tape without end and lack Of results without
limit. There's the civic bill of fare.
Given the tried and tested commission plan of city gov
eminent and The Press will guarantee that such cond
tions will in Spokane efectualy they have
ceased in DeS MOines and wherever else applied Under
the present spshod method of doing nothing there is lit
tie prospect for any improvement decisive
eilmanc action, except in the ainortan instances Of
desire developed by of the street companies for
concession from the city. In such it must be adj
mitted the council easily resolves itself into board of
directors either for the corporation that wants the priv
lege the corporation that doesn't want the other
poration to secure it, and proceeds to business.
But the poor devil perched a shaky roof with his
household affairs aoat below fleeing hotfoot from
flooded sewerwho is he anyway? Councimen cannot be
expected to recall acquaintance with hmexcept at cleo
tion time.