The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1910-05-29
SHREVEPORT AND THE WATER
SUPPLY.

SUPPLY.
Where shall the citizens of Shreve-
port obtain their drinkable water in the
future2
Experts, so-calied, have insisted that
the water from Red River is wholesome
and the river should be the source OF
supply. but, seriously, a water impreg-
mated with alkalies which corrode steam
boilers and iron, if clarified, must have
Its Ill effects on the human system.
Why is IT that the dwelIers along the
Red River do not drink il, nor use 1t in
a general sense2
Simply because it is not good for do
mestic purposes.
However, the interests who would
now use the river, if they can not OBJ
tain some other source of supply, per
siSt in their assertion that the water
from Red River, with its alkaIies. is the
best water in the world, and yet the
same interests are striving to secure the
control OF what Is known as the Cross
Lake lands, from which to obtain a de-
sirable supply OF wholesome water for
the future
In Shreveport today thousands of its
inhabitants depend ON their supply of
desirable water from firms and individ-
uals who furnish them water from
nearby and from springs in other
States which IS sold at prices fixed
by the gallon, A number drink
cistern water, but the limited in
means. by force of necessity, drink the
clarified water from Red River, which
is not relieved of its alkalies and other
properties, which can not be commended
seriously as being wholesome
In Shreveport today the water supply
for the future is the most serious prob
lem for intelligent consideration.
In six years, from August next, the
contract of thirty years with the Shreve-
port Waterworks Company viii expire,
and should this company or any one al
lied with #. or should any other inter
est obtain possession or control of the
Cross Lake land, the citizens OF Shreve-
port would be helpless and at their
mercy
Approaching the gravity OF the situa-
ton, the City Council by unanimous
vote. has memoriaIized the Legislature
for relief. which may be extended and
secured by investing title of this Cross
Lake land in the City OF Shreveport. as
done recently by the State Senate.
In response to this memorial the State
Senate by a unanimous vote has passed
the necessary act or bill which is now
pending in the House for approval.
The issue Is so plain that il would
seem waste OF time ana space to in
dulge in explanations which are self
evident.
There can be no personal pc
cTriniaTy consideration, nor is there
any individual interest involved. 1t
IS simply question whether these
lands shall be placed in the possession
of the City of Shreveport for the use Of
the people or whether it shall be ac-
quired now or at some future day BY |
some private interests who will control |
the water supply of Shreveport? |
II Shreveport's claim is recognized, as
i should be, Shreveport will provide the
ways and means to secure a supply Of I
wholesome water which shall meet all +
The requirements of a population of
hundred thousand and more of people.
AS fact, these lake lands, as water
supply, are essential to the future well
fare of Shreveport, and therefore il is
expected that the representatives of the
people in the House will approve the
action of the Senate, which was unani-
nous on this question.
There can be and there should be no
luibbling over the question, since no
personal or individual interest is at issue
II can be ieopardized
Ii the House will confirm this action
# the Senate, the citizens of Shreve-
tort will ever be grateful and will hold
n the fullest of appreciation the mem
'ers of the General Assembly who viii
make ii possible for the people to ac-
Iuire and control their own water sup
'ly which is most vital to their future
lealth and prosperity =
/