Arizona republican., 1919-07-26
!All Indications Point to the Bonds Carrying by Large Majority; Business Men Are of Opinion City Will Not Grow without Soft Water

Public opinion, or at least the opin- ion of the man who does business Tn the down town section is strongly in favor of the water bonds to be voted on today. This fact was ascertained yesterday when questions were put to d number of men not previously quoted in The Republican as to their views on a new water works for the city. Not q soul could be found who is going to vote no.
 All indications according to the bar ometer of public opinion point to an overwhelming vote in favor of the bond issue. Naturally the vote will be some what light, for a large number of tax payers are on the coast at the present time. A number of them have written friends, and some have even gone so far as to wire acquaintances to by all means vote in the affirmative.
 Everyone interviewed on the subject, agreed that the greatest setback the city could have would be to have the bonds turned down. The proposition is peculiarly agreeable to most men in business, as it promises to make busi- ness interests which have heretofore kept away from Phoenix turn their eyes in this direction.
 The fact that it is impossible for an industry to run here without prohibit tive bills for plumbing and the replace ment of boilers, has been a constant drawback to the city. Another bad fea ture of the present water system, and one which has kept business men fig uring nights, is the present high cost of fire insurance. There is no doubt in the minds of local insurance men that fire rates will go down, once the afvses ovo xrritI do r.ixy 1ryot taT and there is no longer danger of the fire engines sucking them dry in case of a big fire.
 It is a well known fact that it is next to impossible at the present time to get water to the top of the Jefferson hotel The Jefferson is but six stories in height. Plans have been drawn for other buildings still higher, and unless a gravity system is installed with an adequate water supply behind it, there is no promise on the part of the city water department to supply the top stories with water.
 If Phoenix is to grow, say local men interested in seeing the capital city the metropolis of the southwest, it is nec- essary that a better water works sys- tenn be installed and installed soon.
 There are so many reasons in favor
 
 none have even been advanced against it, that it hardly seems possible there will be a vote against it.
 One of the possible arguments, that of higher taxes is almost negligible. The interest on the bonds will be con- siderably lower than the present cost of operating the inadequate out Of date pumping plant.
 Every engineer. and about a dozen of them have examined the project has agreed that the one best proposition for Phoenix to secure pure soft water is from the Verde. It is nearer than any other project, it will be cheaper to bring water from there, due to the fact no pumping will be required. The How is adequate to supply water to the city at all times without the necessity of building a large storage reservoir with it's attendant condemnation of ex- pensive land near the city.
 Seldom have the business men of the city been so enthusiastic over a propo- sition of civic advancement as they have been over the present bond issue. IT there have been any dissenting voices. they have been so low as to not have been heard. If public opinion will put the bond issue over, it has been ap- proved and the erection of the pipe line 70 the city well on it's way to compile sion.
 Adequate preparations have been made 10 take care of all voters who have not means of conveyance to the pools. By calling 1924 or 1886, a ma chine will be available.