Graham guardian., 1910-04-22
RATES OF LEGAL ADVERTISING
APRIL %, 1910.
GRANT THE FRANCHISE

GRANT THE FRANCHISE
The great necessity for a pure
water system for Stafford, for do
mestic purposes, as well as a suffi-
cient storage of water for fire pro-
lection, is the all-absorbing topic of
conversation of the people of Stafford
at the present time.
The great interest that has been
aroused on the question of water
supply is proof that the people have
at last awakened to the fact that
the opportunity for securing a water
system for domestic purposes and
for fire protection is now knocking
at their doors, and they realize that
their chance for taking advantage
of such opportunity has really come
to them, after many years of agita-
ton, by the action of the town
council in placing the matter fairly
before them on the question of
granting franchise for the installa-
tion of water works system.
The people of Stafford want pure
water. They have known the need
of a pure water system for years,
and the most progressive of our
people are aware that this great
public necessity is more likely to be
realized through a favorable vote
on the question of granting the
town council the right to give the
franchise to Mr.. Campbell, than a
vote in the negative, which would
refuse to grant such franchise and
which would result in placing the
water question in the same condi-
ton as it was and has been for
twenty years.
1t is good thing for the people
to discuss questions of public neces-
sites and improvements, and keep
up the agitation in favor of any
plan that would at once be econom-
ical and sufficient to supply all needs
until they can by their constant
and persistent agitation of the ques-
ton, secure what they need and
what will be best for the greatest
number.
AS we have stated, time and
again, what the people of Stafford
want more than anything else, is a
good water works system that would
meet all demands for pure water
for domestic purposes, as well as
give a sufficient supply of water for
fire protection, which latter we con-
tend is absolutely needed in the line
of economy by reducing the present
high rates of fire insurance and in
being able through a storage system
to better protect the city from fire.
If we are agreed on this point,
then the only question is, how are
we, as people, going to secure it?
The answer to this query brings
the matter up to the point where
the people first saw their opportun-
ity of securing a water works, which
was when the question was put pub
licly to them of granting a franchise.
A great light broke over their heads
and they became enlightened to the
many benefits of pure water sys-
tenn.
The plan proposed was and is a
good one. 1t provides, by series
of reservoirs, to store the waters of
the greatest watershed in the Gra-
ham mountains. thereby creating a
huge supply of voter, sufficient for
Stafford and other towns in the val
ley for domestic and fire purposes.
This proposition means an outlay of
over 500, 900, and is the only prac-
tical plan that could be carried out,
inasmuch as it must be conceded
that large storage of water would
be needed to meet all demands.
1t must also be conceded that the
reservoir-storage plan is far ahead
of any plan to secure water by
pumping from wells.
Its great cost is one factor in its
favor, when it is known that the
th,afr, restarvnirs would Stnre uD