The Duluth rip-saw. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1917-19??, 1919-09-20

IQoIC Lbs UCOA uOAO Va AoSc s~S~S~
in connection with the main sewers II
the Woodland district because they
failed to take care Of both sewage and
roof water. It has been unofficially
stated that the city commissioners
have decided to rebuild the system
that originally relieved the district OF
the dangerous conditions incident to
Tischer's Creek. It further is stated
that the money for this purpose will
be taken from the general fund, thus
insuring q solid vote for the present
administration from the Woodland dis.
trict. It evidently is believed that a
very little camouflage will keep other
districts quiet.
There is one stumbling block, one
fly in the ointment, 50 to speak. The
tax rate may not be increased and, if
that fails, the program may meet &C.
rious obstacles and the Woodland peo-
pie put to a small expense in provid-
q the district with means for dis.
posing Of roof water.
While peeking in a pigeon hole in
the dear old city hall, recently, Rip
saw reporter stumbled onto a letter
written by John Wilson to the COM
missioners under date Of August II,
narrating some municipal history and
discussing this Woodland sewer mat
ter. As near as the Rip-saw can learn,
this letter was received and then filed
away in silence and as quickly as pos
sible.
Mr.. Wilson formerly was city en-
nineer. Not being a member Of the
Duluth Engineering Trust, like the
prophet Of old, he is not without honor
save with some engineers and politi-
clans in his own city.
Mr.. Wilson's face registered sur
prise when he was Informed that the
Rip-saw had discovered and read the
communication. When asked if he had
anything further to say, he said that
it looked as if he already had said
more than was welcome or desired by
the city fathers. The letter was as
follows, viz:
cit is no doubt the duty of every
public official to carefully study con-
ditions and ascertain as far as possible
the needs and requirements Of the
community which has intrusted him
with the administration of their af-
fairs. Not only does this duty include
the protection Of the public treasury
against undue demands upon it's funds
in the way Of damage claims, but a
still higher duty Of protecting the in
dividual against any injury or loss
which may justly give rise to such
claims.
"Logically, this same duty is in
cumbent upon ex-officials; but just
how far such a one can perform these
moral obligations without incurring
criticism as to his ethical ideals, is q
question.
"On several occasions. during the
past three or four years, 1t has come
to my attention that the city is expe-
riencing considerable trouble with the
main sewers in the Woodland district
by reason Of their becoming gorged
at times Of severe rain storms.
"The conditions under which that
sewer system was designed and con.
structed are already we'll understood
by some Of your members. However,
some Of you possibly know little or
nothing in regard to this bit Of mu
nicipal history.
"The Woodland district had, for a
long time, been in the need Of sanitary
sewers. Tischer's Creek, flowing
through the district, was at times lit.
tie better than an open sewer. Many
cases Of sickness, especially among the
children, pointed to the unsanitary
conditions Of this stream as the, cause.
Plans for a sewer system were then
prepared but, due to location and To-
cal conditions, the cost of construction
was considered by the majority in the
community as being more than they
could afford. The assistance of the
State Board Of Health was asked and
Prof. Bass, then engineer for that
body, after making an exhaustive
study of the situation, prepared an ex.
cellent report and suggested that the
sewer be designed as sanitary sewer
only. The previous plan had provided
for admitting all rain water from the
roofs of houses in addition to the san.
itary sewage. The plan, as suggested
by Prof. Bass, would reduce the cost
to approximately one-fourth that Of
the sewer as originally proposed.
The suggested change in design met
with the hearty approval Of the ma
jority Of the people interested-and ]
had the honor Of being appointed spe
cial assistant city engineer to make
the necessary surveys and prepare the
detail plans.
"The sewer was, accordingly, con
structed under my supervision in 1912
and the unsanitary conditions in Tisch
er's Creek remedied. However, not
withstanding the publicity given the
matter at the time and regardless Of
an ordinance which forbade the con
nection Of down spouts with the sewer
with very few exceptions, the house.
are all discharging their roof water
into the sewer and, strange to say
with tho full knowledge and consent
Of the city officials.
Gas far as I have been able to a.
certain, the only excuse offered by thu
city officials for the above neglect IL
administration is that the design wa,
an impractical one developed by a tho
oretical and incompetent engineer.
"About % years ago, the city en-
Moved the late Andrew Rosouafnr n,