Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-19
Ottumwa. Ia, March 16, 10:

Ottumwa. Ia, March 16, 1910.
To the Editor Of the Courier
Dear Sir.-In reading the Courier
yesterday evening see that each and
every alderman in the city with the
exception of Samuel Hawks, was inter-
viewed on the practicability of using q
street flusher In this city. see there
were some who expressed no opinion
and others were favorable to the use
of the street flusher and see that the
Courier reporter quotes: Recently,
but unexpectedly the mayor has ar;
negative view Of the idea Of employing
a street f1usher to cleanse the Streets
This is not correct. as he did not give
me an opportunity to express myself
fully on this subject when we met on
Main street, where he was in CONVEX
sation with Alderman F. A. Ehrmann,
presume on the same subject. When
he referred to this matter at this time
I stated to him that the Courier had
been consulting with John MacVicar
in Des Moines in relation to the use Of
the street flusher, whether it was in
furious to brick pavement with sand
filler, and as / understood from read
ing the Courier, Mr. MacVicar made
the statement that street flushing
would not be injurious to brick pave
ment with sand filler under certain
conditions. told the reporter that
thought we had men in this city that
are as we'll qualified as John Mac.
Vicar, and men that know the needs
of the city Of Ottumwa. and what
would be the results of using street
flusher upon our paved streets, and he
rather took exception to my statement,
but | still maintain that we have men
as we'll qualified as Mr.. MacVicar, or
any other individual in Des Moines,
that know the needs Of our city bet
ter than he does. l am not opposed to
a street fusher am in favor of their
use in the business district Of our city
where they can be used without endan-.
gering our street paving and filling UP
our sewers, but to put street flusher
in operation at the time cleaned the
streets with the hose would not
amount to anything, as there was too
much mud and rubbish on the streets
at that time for it to do practical work.
With our streets in the condition they
are now, after being cleaned up as
above stated, the street flusher would
be practical and would not SO much
endanger blocking up the sewers and
catch basins, but 1t requires money to
buy such equipment as street fusher.
The city Is endeavoring to buy all the
equipment that is practical for street
cleaning within our means in our f.
nancial condition, and understand
that street fusher costs about
$1,000. The Courier should not be ig-
norant of the revenue and income Of
the city, as the records of the city. at
the city clerks Office are open to pub
lie inspection. contend that the first
needs OF this city today are better
water and better sewer service for
the property owners, and second to
this is a crematory to dispose Of our
night soil and garbage. These are two
of the most vital needs Of the city to-
day. We can take care of our streets
and alleys with the system we have
adopted and keep them in a respect
able condition without street fusher.
/ believe in neatness and cleanliness
and IL the citizens Of the city of OF
tumwa will cooperate with me and
give me helping hand we will have
one of the cleanest cities in the state.
although we are not perfect far from
it; but we will try and do the best we
can and to the best of our ability and
knowledge. | am always ready and
willing to commit myself upon any
matter to the best Of my ability where
the interests Of the city Of Ottumwa as
a whole are concerned, but think
there is sufficient intelligence among
the citizens OF Ottumwa withou. get
ting advice from abroad. want it I'M
derstood that am not taking any ex-
ception to the attitude Of the Courier
III a,.y shape or form, but the reporter
nisauoted me to certain extent IN
regard to the street fusher, as | high.
l., approve Of It when we can afford il.
Very respectfully,
T. j. Phillips.
Mayor OF the City OF Ottumwa.
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