The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-10-02
And
Water Bonds
Must Garry
AT ELECTION NEXT TUES
DAY OR DIRE RESULTS
WILL FOLLOW
With The Plant Already Over
loaded. Danger Of Complete
Breakdown Liable To
Occur at Any
Moment

Moment
Editor. Evening Telegram: In
the town voluntarily and of their
own action decided without a pro-
testing voice. at large and repre-
sentative meeting held recently, to
bond the city 'or modern and eff
| ticient G ,ra water plant, to pro-
| vide needed equipment for fire pro-
lection and to enable the city to ac-
cept the gift of site for hospi-
tai, there seems to be some feeling
fof opposition, here and there, to the
carrying out of such action and in
voting for the bonds at the election
to be held next Tuesday, and the
strangest thing about it Is that some
Of this opposition comes from those
who were present and professed ac-
fquiescence in the action Of the
meeting.
II tho citizens had not taken the
action above stated and made the
recommendation to the city officials;
II they had not provided for the
spending Of this money by citizens
whom they themselves nominated.
Fit would be easier to understand any
opposition now being manifested,
but, primarily, this action was TAX
len by those supposed to represent
the city at large-a mass meeting of
the citizens-after thorough
threshing out of the matter. 1t is
believed that those who made the
recommendations on which action
lis to be taken next Tuesday will and
do abide by their action, but it is
necessary that they act also on the
E.day of election by putting into force
at the polls the strength of such
recommendations. Indifference,
carelessness. lack of thought. and
necessary and prompt action have
| iooI Ahuhy CuuoC duu
brought regret and disappointment
to those who were delinquent in
backing up the cause for which they
were supposed to stand, and such an
occurrence might easily happen
again If the opponents should turn
out en- masse and the other side be
tmerely stragglers.
Only the vital Importance of this
, issue compels me to speak in this
way, because, while some things are
mot probable, even unreasonable
things are possible under some cir
cupstances.
We have been assured by those
who are in position to speak with
authority that the present light and
water plant cannot very much long
er be made to give even nnsatisfac-
tory service, and the city faces the
possibility at any moment, and es-
pecially so soon as the full winter
happen which will plunge the town
in darkness and at the same time
risk a disastrous fire. These are
very serious matters to consider,
while other conditions not so seri
GUS but in a way vital to the inter-
ests of the city are also at stake.
Badly needed extensions for light
and water are being withheld and
will be indefinitely postponed if the
necessary action is not taken next
/ Tuesday. It may also be necessary
for the city to curtail the present
service in order to serve the busi-
ness and more congested residence
sections, SO that even parts of the
city now being served will have to
be cut of until the necessary equip
ment shall have been provided.
1t is easy to realize but serious to
contemplate the damaging effect to
Lakeland if, in the midst of the
! winter season, with a town full OF
visitors, serious breakdown at the
plant should occur and the city be
left without lights and perhaps an
adequate water supply until new
machinery could be obtained or ex-
itensive repairs made.
This is no party issue at all but
a matter of large, general, public
interest, in the result of which the
welfare of every citizen and the vi
tality and integrity of the city is
involved.
If there is anything Objectionable
fCnntinued on Page Al