Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1912-09-16
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER is, 1912.
QUESTION OF HEALTH AND
PROGRESS.

possible to discuss any public matter
in Brownsville without being ac-
counted a trespasser upon the rights
and dignities of this or that local
political combination, or of this or
hat individual who happens % be
mixed up in local politics. 1t is
something more than a pity, in fact.
1t is rather in the nature Of a
calamity.
Yet If the town is to continue to
be anything better than a lethargic,
somnolent village, bounds by chains
of slumber to a dead past, it must
rise to a realization of the fact that
1t can not live and prosper by the
small squabbles of small men about
Insignificant offices. We must grow
big enough to look any situation
squarely in the face, deal with it on
a common sense basis, and let local
- tics go hang.
Ce situation with respect to the
water works is a case which
Ifully illustrates the danger We are
in Of making every local condition
. an occasion of starting a political
row. Yet it Is not a question of poll
tics, but a question of the public
health, the comfort of the people,
and the general development of the
city along lines Of modern progress.
We may leave out of the discussion
the shameful and objectionable out
rage perpetrated last week. when the
entire city was served foul and pol
luted water for days. 1t can not be
doubted chat the city council will in
vestigato this d~isgraceful occurrence.
place the blame where f belongs. and
punish the guilty. Aside from this
TO be expected consequence, Browns
Vile fain would forget, and assured
ly should cease to advertise, hat eX-
ceedingly disagreeable and disgust
ing event.
But, now that we are again being
served with the muddy water from
the river, we are again reminded that
our water troubles are still I'M
solved. Evidently we are confronted
with a situation which was not an
ticipated when he plant was built.
Who is to blame. it is not easy to
say.
Apparently the filtration plant is
absolutely inadequate. If this be true,
and il be proven hat the plant is
not constructed in accordance with
the specifications ii is a duty which
the city council owes to the people to
hold responsible those who are at
fault.
But unfortunately this appears TO
be only one fault in the plant. There
may be another and more serious de-
feet. This Is its lection. With each
successive rise in the river. new sand
bars form in form in front Of the
plant, burying the suction pipe under
tons of mud. What may be the
remedy for such a situation is for
al engineer TO say. When the new
plant was under contemplation, The
Herald ventured to suggest that the
location was bad, that. owing to the
formation of the bank at hat place,
the bed Of the river vas apt TO re-
cede continually and leave the plant
farther and farther ava from the
water supply. The suggestion was
not considered. Whether the
prophesy was correct or not, we do
not presume TO say The situation a.
the plant now appears to be one for
a specialist in water troubles. Per-
haps. If we had spent something for
expert engineering advice when we
were planning the expenditure Of the
last $50, 900 which we have spent on
the plant. we might not now be in
SO much trouble.
Be all this a. IT may. however.
whatever is necessary now should be
done with "a view to the general good
alone. The situation must be met
squarely. AS &c the blame. honors
appear to be easy on that score. The
water plant IL a sore point all around.
Let the blame lie where it may. We