Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-08-25
LESS DUST, MORE WATER
AND MODERN METHODS

AND MODERN METHODS
IDIsEAsE turks in dust 1t may not b
- infantlle paralysis that is dissent
mated by the sweeping of the streets, bu
It is likely to be; IL not that, 1t is som'
other disease equally as dangerous. Wher
the lamented and distinguished DR.. s
Weir Mitchell was alive he devoted 6
great part of his energies to fighting this
prolific carrier of illness and death.
1t is pointed out that the water supply
Of the city is already insufficient; that q
water famine might threaten in the event
that citizens generally took the trouble
to sprinkle before sweeping their walks
1t may be that even the price Of little
less water to drink would not be too much
to pay for a little less dust to breathe
Certainly, in any event, there is no good
reason why the sidewalks in the center
OF the city should not be wet before they
are swept.
The agitation for alleviatlng the dust
menace is of double Importance, because
It emphasizes the extreme gravity of the
water.supply situation. There is a high
pressure, raw.water system available for
use in case of fire, and in the central dis.
trlcts, we surmise, to supply the sprink-
ling carts. But outside of this limited
area there is treated water only, and the
supply of that is wholly inadequate. The
situation in certain parts of South Phila-
delphia is positively disgraceful. 1t is
true that during the Blankenburg Ad-
ministration, in November, 1914, the
voters authorized an appropriation of
100000 for the general improvement of
the South Philadelphia supply, but 1t con.
templated little real relief, since addi-
tional feeder mains from the filters at
heavy cost must be provided before the
supply can be at all adequate.
Aside from the enormous wastage, due
to carelessness, which may be reduced
by public education and the use of meters,
1t is obvious that new facilities are i'm
perative. 1t is just as obvious that there
is not likely to be any real solution until
there is a change in the method of
handling the water bureau. A new ac-
counting system was installed under
Mayor Blankenburg, and the form of the
annual appropriations in 1915 materially
aided in making possible an analysis of
cost and a distribution of bureau ex-
penses. But the system is still just as
unscientific and antiquated as the process
three times If leak happens to be found
in a service pipe instead of the main
pipe.
The U. G. I. leases the gas works. 1t
turns into the city a certain per cent of
it's receipts each year. The water bureau
should be managed by board of experts.
Its funds should be segregated 1t should
report annually deficit or surplus. under
scientific management. 1t should, in
fact, be conducted IN much the same way
rs the gas works are conducted under
the direction of the U. G. l., as a great
public utility, earning its way and max
ing such a showing as practically to be
able to finance itself, for maintenance.
extension and improvements. Only so
can the cost OF water be arrived at ac-
curately. fair price to users be de-
termined and the utility be placed on
firm and solid foundation beyond the
reacn of politicians.
We must get rid OF the dust and we
must have all the water the city needs.
Both detectives can readily be reached
by scientific and businesslike control of
the water system. Were the utility owned
by a private company. it would supply all
needs and be great money-maker. 1t
Is hobbled now by the lines of red tape
that tie it to councilmanic politics and
!cave it at the mercy Of an overburdened
Finance Committee.