The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1909-10-27
MUST INSTALL
SEWER SYSTEM
State Sanitary Inspector Wal
lis Deals Plainly With
City's Condition.


week, State Sanitary Inspector Wal
lis, who was in the city, held a meet
ing with the City Council on Thurs
day night. Also with the school
board, and in the latter case, the
school closets were closed up and the
board has consented to at once have
septic tanks and inside closets put in at a
cost of $1,000 or more. The following
forceful and sensible letter from Mr..
Wallis to the City Council, will GER
tainly commend itself to the city Of
hcIals and the thinking public.
To the Mayor and City Council of
Grangeville, Idaho:
Gentlemen: In my official capac-
ity ! have completed an inspection of
the sanitary conditions of your city.
was accompanied by Chief of Police
Ingram, Deputy Chief Mason, and
City Health Physician, Rains. | am
compelled to admit, as result of
such inspection, that the unsanitary
conditions found in all parts of your
city are of the worst kind. In fact,
The people of Grangeville have cause
for congratulation, that their high al
titude and pure atmosphere have con-
tributed in large degree to spare
them from an epidemic. But your
city is growing, new buildings and
new homes are being erected, and
these unsanitary conditions are. in
creasing in consequence; and while
you have been spared from danger in
the past, it is no guarantee that you
will be so fortunate in the future.
Your situation is SO dangerous, so far
as the health of the people is con-
cerned, that to delay taking steps to
change your condition, would be al
most criminal. Under the special
charter powers granted by the legis-
lature to cities and villages. ample
provisions are made for installing
sewerage. There is no longer any
necessity for calling bond election
for this purpose, with the fear tina,
you will suffer defeat at the polls be.
cause of the specious plea that it will
increase the taxes. Good health anc
the lives of your loved ones are o
far more importance in this en-
lightened age than the expenditure o
few dollars; and so the Legislature
has very wisely said that the votes O
three-fourths of your body is sufici
ent to 90 ahead and do business. Il
behalf of the people of Grangeville
| therefore submit that you at ono
take the necessary legal steps to in
augurate sewerage system, and thu
it be completed sufficiently to tax
care at least of the heart of your city
extending its arteries as circumstance
will permit. The law provides tn;
the property benefited shall be a.
sessed to meet the expense. and tn;
bonds shall be issued to raise tn
money necessary for the worl
There is therefore no reason for an
unnecessary delay on your part, an
there will certainly be nothing b,
gratitude from the people general
at your action.
Another matter which must con
mand your attention is the care +,
the streams of water running throug
your city, one of which flows und,
your business houses, through Ma
street, and into which everybody az
jacent contributes of their sewerag
would suggest that steps be taken
either wall up these waterways, col
hning them into narrow channels,
else cover them up entirely. AT lea
this should be done with the strea
that flows through the business Sc
ton.
| have inspected the reservoirs co
tanning your water supply, and recon
a =