The Ocala evening star., 1915-09-15

these things the property is highly
recommended, but not for water.
AS to the difference in cost of pump
ing water, it is slight, and where
health is considered, should not be
mentioned. Col. Rogers cited the
Jacksonville water works, having been
located in a dingy, swampy morass.
No one who was familiar with Jack
sonville thirty years ago will deny
this, but the conditions were entire
ly different to those existing in Ocala.
Jacksonville had no Taylor Pond,
neither sink holes into which her sur
face water flowed to endanger the
health of her population, but that
dingy little creek and the great St.
Johns river are her natural recepta-
cles.
"The advantages" says the Banner,
"at the proposed location are many"
and cites Mrs. Bittinger's remarks
lady was most sincere in what she
had to say, and if the new proposed
plant was intended to be placed on
the same spot, with all such noisy ma
chinery and great exhaust pipes as
the old water company had, unsightly
coal bins, ETC., as a whole a very un-
attractive place, | would not blame
Mrs. Bittinger and the whole neigh
borhood for lodging serious complaint.
1t is planned that the new works
ner of the block, near the Coast Line.
The machinery will be practically
noisless and the building fire proof.
The Converse mill should be con-
demned, yet the danger of fire is
nothing to what it has been. No
steam is being used anymore, but all
machines are electrically driven. The
three residents on the lot, two will
remain, and the small cottage will
either be sold or removed. These are
all the disadvantages cited by the
Banner.
Now let US turn to the advantages.
First; we have one splendid well
that is supplying the city with the
best pure water, 3S5 gallons per min
ute and valued at $4,000. Settling
tank, all connections and buildings
$4,000. Shallow well of soft water to
feed boilers that does not scale the
tubes, which is very valuable. Only
men familiar with steam boilers can
+hiS yrolr4ab1a
Second; the water tower lot can be
sold for several thousand dollars, as
the new tower will be located on the
present site of the water works. A
saving on side tracks and right-of-
way, probably $4,000, and several
other things l could mention, but if
any one cares to spend the time Mr..
Campbell, our superintendent, will
be glad to answer any question.
From what / can learn the great
est majority of the people will favor
the present location, and in my Judge
ment, removing the water plant to
Taylor Pond, is the biggest fool legis-
lation that has been enacted by any
city council of Ocala in many years.
Attached clipping is from the Man
ufacturer's Record showing a four
hundred thousand dollar plant, build
ing is 13S "a feet
The proposed building for Ocala is
only 20 so feet, therefore, we would
have ample room on this lot to in
stall four hundred thousand dollar
plant and still have room to spare.
Mr. Christian says he will complete
the new well, as he found a party who
agrees to clear the we'll of the pres
ent obstruction at a cost not to ex-
ceed $50. So this well will have to
be paid for and when connected will
cost the city two thousand dollars,
and will furnish 900 gallons per min
ute. ]. NJ Meffert.
Ocala, Fla, Sept. Is, 1915.