The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1912-09-12

peared an aEGlcle WIN TeL6I6uc6 10 VIC
action oil the Waukegan commissioners
in their failure to endorse the fltra-
ton plan, for the publication of their
water supply.
The city OF Waukegan, deriving its
water supply from Lake Michigan, the
same as Kenosha, and but twenty
miles distant, has recently been visit
ed with an epidemic Of typhoid fever,
which has resulted in a great number
of deaths. The result has been an in
sistent demand, by the citizens of that
city, for an investigation by the board
of water commissioners, to determine
if possible, the source of the conta-
gion, and the remedy with which to
check the progress of this preventable
disease.
It would appear from their report,
that this board of commissioners fav-
ors the extension Of their present in
take, to point farther in the lake,
rather than the construction of fl
tration plant.
The problem of pure water has like
wise engaged the interest and atten-
ton of the citizens of Kenosha and a
committee was appointed by former
Mayor Scholey, and confirmed by the
common council, to visit number of
cities, and investigate to the best of
its ability, the various phases Of wat
CT publication, and it's effects upon the
public health, and to report the result
of their Investigations back to the
council, that it might act intelligently
in the matter,
This committee made number of
trips to adjoining cities, and inter
viewed the officials in charge of the
water departments, and also visited
the water plants, and witnessed the
manner in which the water was treat
ed, but no report was submitted to the
council, as, owing to the recent cleo
tion, several Of that committee were
retired, and the matter has since re-
manned quiescent. Having been ap-
pointed one of that committee, and
during my term as health officer, hav-
ing been somewhat familiar with the
subject, which is Of most vital interest
to every inhabitant of Kenosha, I
venture to submit a few remarks
through your paper, pertaining to this
very important subject. From repeat
ed tests both during my term of Office,
and before, and since, it has been
proven beyond any legitimate refuta-
ton, that the water derived from Lake
Michigan, at any point whatever, ex-
tending out into the lake for a dis
stance of five miles is unfit for do
nestle use.
At no time have samples taken from
the site of our present intake, nor from
any other location, within a distance
of five miles from our shore, shown the
water to be free from the germs of in
testinal putrefaction, and known as
the bacillus COLI communis.
Your published account, few days
ago, of the alarmingly high mortality
among children under FIVE years of
age, from intestinal disease, empha-
sizes the urgent need of Immediate
action by our present administration
with view to correcting this prevent
able death rate, by giving to Keno
sha the best and purest water supply
possible, regardless of expense or sac.
rifce. The administration of former
Mayor Scholev without any ydissen-
ton, agreed that the water supply of
Kenosha was bad at all times, but
more particularly so, following high
winds from the east and northeast when
the prevailing currents were altered
and the refuse from the cities of Ra.
cine and Milwaukee, as we'll as those
from our various factories and sewers
carried the germs of disease and death
to the mouth of our intake.
Our present administration is equal
" alive to the seriousness of the stu.
alton, and l am sure all of our present
officials are convinced that the pure
water problem cannot be delayed any
Longer, and will give their active sup
port to the plan deemed the most eff
fcient.
Is it possible to obtain water free
from bacterial impurity by extending
our present intake2 My answer, based
upon the reports of laboratory tests by
the city, state and government and
from personal experience, is unquali
fiedly-no.
The topography of the lake level ad
joining Kenosha, reveals the fact that
Eve miles from our shore, high ridge
extends north and south, and it is moi
until this ridge is crossed, that we en-
counter deep water. This basin. ex