Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-03-19

Legislature Will Be Asked to
Deal with Problem of Fail
ing Supply Here "

There have been two important re-
cent developments in the water works
situation. The prospect of getting
satisfactory bill on the subject before
the legislature is bright, according TO
word from the office of the governor.
Also, artesian experts are expressing
themselves as practically unanimous
in the opinion that the suggestion of.
A. c. Wheeler, assistant superintend-
ent of public works, that $4,000 be
appropriated for a thorough and COM
prehensive study of the artesian re-
sources on the island, is an excellent
one. G. X Harrison, of the water
resources branch Of the u. S. geo.
logical survey, is the latest one to ex-
express his approval Of this plan.
When seen recently Governor Frear
stated that he is thoroughly aware
of the Importance of the water ques-
tion and of the necessity of legislation
upon the subject. He says that the
matter is one requiring no little
amount of study, but that at the
earliest possible opportunity an in
elusive bill would be drafted by the
attorney generals office and submit
ted to the legislature. Governor
Frear stated that in drawing up such
a bill the various reports from the
water works authorities, including
i.ittle's recommendation that central
electric plant be installed and Assist
ant Superintendent A. G.. Wheeler's
request for an appropriation Of $780,
600 to get expert opinion upon the
subject, would be carefully considered.
1t is stated upon good authority that
the governor has expressed himself
as thinking that II would be good
thing to call upon local experts for
comprehensive scheme outlining
policy for conserving the water supply
for the next fifty years at least.
Harrison Favors Study
G.. K. Harrison, the geological sur
vey's expert on water resources, de-
clared this morning that Wheeler's
far-reaching plan of making a
thorough study of water conditions on
the island is not only good one, but
that the time has come when such
a study is absolutely essential to the
welfare of the community.
"San Francisco has recently ex-
pended at least one hundred thousand
dollars" explained Mr. Larrison, ''in
an investigation Of her water supply
and Honolulu should take a lesson
from such an example. In San Fran
cisco. however, the question of water
supply is one of economy anly, there
is no question of dearth of water,
for the city has the entire Sierra Ne
vada range at her back.
''In Honolulu, on the other hand, the
supply is limited and there is no
way of getting water here if it is
exhausted. From my study of con-
ditions, | am persuaded that, if de-
yelope dproperly and scientifically,
the water supply on the Island of
Oahu is ample for at least hundred
years to come II is necessary, how
ever, to proceed carefully and to make
a thorough study Of conditions from
every standpoint. Soundings should
be- made by experts and the amount
of the underground supply estimated
and the best means for its preserva-
tion considered .. .t.
The question of forest cover should
be gone into, and all other things
considered which effect in any way
the supply of water. In the question
of getting the water to the consumer
the most economical way is to follow
a comprehensive plan so that the
plant installed will not only serve
present purposes but will also answer
the needs of the future. 1t is the