Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-05-04
WATER BOARD IS
LIKECOMMISSION
Leagues Ordinance Creating
Park Department Delegates
Identical Powers

In urging Steelton's borough council
to create a commission to direct estab-
lishment of a system of Fairgrounds
and to further develop a comprehen-
sive park system, the Municipal
League and public-spirited citizens
are following the same plan outlined
by council when it appointed the pres
ent Steelton water board of three citi-
zen commissioners to conduct the af-
fairs of the borough's water depart
ment.
The similarity between the ordi-
nance passed by council and approved
November Is, 1899. creating the board
of water commissioners and the ordi-
nance to be submitted by council by
the Municipal League Monday for
creation of a Parks and Fairgrounds
Commission is striking. In fact, the
measures are aim ost identical in con-
struction and exactly the same powers
are delegated to the proposed Parks
and Fairgrounds Commission that
were delegated by council to the board
of water commissi sioners
The success of the water depart
ment under the commission plan has
been so great that those who favor the
same plan for park and Fairgrounds
administration feel that council will
not hesitate in adopting at once the
ordinance to be submitted by the
Municipal League next Monday.
Under the. direction of the board of
water commissioners, thousands of
dollars have been expended in devel-
oping the borough's water works sys-
tenn and bringing them up to their
present unrivaled efficiency. Never
l.. . 1. l.n 49,. -
the success of the plan, and 1T has
never been said that any political eXi-
gency ever entered into the delibera-
tions or work of the water commits
sioners.
1t was by an ordinance approved
April Is, 1899, that the present board
of water commissioners were APP
pointed. This action was taken after
the borough had purchased the plant
and lines of the Steelton Home Water
Company, which at that time supplied
the borough with water. A committee
of five council men had been appointed
by II. II. Campbell, then president OF
council, to study the best way of ad-
ministering the affairs of the new de-
partment This committee was COM
posed. of Edward Lewis, S. A. Barkey,
j. j. Leonhardt and n. Il. Freeland.
Created by Ordinance
After several conferences this COM
mittee had f. b. Wickersham, the
borough solicitor, draw an ordinance
creating Il board of three commission
ers, similar to the proposed play
grounds commission. This ordinance
was approved by council, and the first
commission appointed included Mason
ID. Pratt, William James and Milton
X. Morris.
The first and subsequent boards
have directed the expenditure of huge
sums for development of the water
system in an unquestionably efficient
manner, men in close touch in mu-
nicipal circles say. 1t is the success
of this board that leads those favorine
a Fairgrounds commission to believe
that council will pass the proposed
ordinance at once.
Members of the Municipal League
and others who are interested in play
grounds and park development are
also much pleased with the interest
being taken in the movement by
Quincy Bent, the new general man
ager of the local plant of the Penn
sylvania Steel Company. Mr.. Bent is
much interested in Fairgrounds work
and it was through him that the stee
company donated the $500 which
completed the fund for Fairgrounds
establishment.