The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1910-06-23
CROSS LAKE BILL PASSED THE
HOUSE YESTERDAY.
MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP
Is Programmed for the City of Shreve-
port-Water Supply and Control Is
More Important than Paved Streets
and Good Roads.

The bill submitted in the State Senate
by Senator T. c. Barrett soon after the
opening of this session of the Legisla-
turc authorizing the City of Shreveport
TO acquire from the State the Cross lake
lands to be used as water supply
passed the House yesterday.
AT the outset there was strong oppo-
sition by certain interests, who, however
could not overcome the influence of
Senator Barrett, Representatives Smith,
Thomas, Hunsicker and Groom of Cad
do. The vote was unanimous.
The bill will in few days receive the
approval of Governor Sanders.
1t is not possible to guage the inn
portance of the requirement of this lake.
Indeed, street paving and good roads
are secondary. We may do without
streets being paved and roads macad-
smized, but we can not exist without
water. The water supply is the very
life of community.
During the past twentyfour years the
water supply has been obtained from
the bayou at Arsenal hilf 1t has teen
furnished by the Waterworks Company,
whose contract will expire iii August
1916. Bearing in mind this contract of
The city with the Waterworks Company
and realizing the necessity of municipal
ownership of the water supply, the Gan
as al; has for years been directing he
peorle's attention to action. Single and
alone, it has kept the water supply i'll
mind, frequently opposing and CRITICS
ing efforts intended to direct attention
from municipal ownership and from
the source of supply from the Cross lake
bottom
To the Caucasian's qualification there
came a day when Major Paul Lowen
thai Joined the Caucasian in this effort
at obtaining desirable water supply.
The situation was canvassed intelligent
ly. Major Lowenthal had made a plat
of the lake and then he had the Coun-
Gil to endorse his plan, and then Senator
Barret was enlisted in the good work
with Representative Smith, which cul
minated in the bill being introduced in
the Senate, where an attempt at oppo
sition was suppressed automatically,
and taking its course it reached the
House, where it encountered several
snags III committee and finally it was
reported favorably, and now it is about
to be law.
How much credit is due Major Paul
Lowenthal for his untiring effort we
could not tell, but he is certainly en-
titled to the fullest appreciation of all
the people who stand for good water
and the municipal ownership of the
waterworks
Bearing in mind that the contract
with the Waterworks Company will ex-
pire in six years, it becomes the iinpera-
tive duty of every good citizen to direct
his influence and his energy to the
municipal system of waterworks. In
palmer words, after the year 1916
Shreveport must operate its waterworks
independent of the Waterworks Com
pany, as is done in progressive munich
palities, but there is time for this dis
cussion when the Caucasian will lead
the way.
In the meantime we are one and all
subjects of self-congratulation in hav-
ing acquired the Cross lake bottom,
which is to be the source of supply for
wholesome water for the future.