Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-10-14
FUTURE GROWTH IS
DEPENDENT ON WATER
Good Water System is One of
the Requirements for Any
Hustling Community.

Tax payers of the city who will
vote on the proposition to bond the
city at the election on November 2,
for $4,000 for the completion of
Alma's water system, and the ex-
tension of the water mains, would
do well to consider the added value
that such a system will give their
property in this city.
All property has two values, a
real or intrinsic value, and a COM
munity value. The community value
may be measured by the difference
that a piece of property might bring
in a small community, or in a hust-
ling city like Alma, where homes are
in demand, because Alma is de-
sirable place in which to live.
1t is such improvements as good
streets, good sewage, sidewalks, good
schools, churches, places Of enter
tainment, and a good water supply
that will furnish, not only a very
much needed water supply for fire
protection, but which will furnish a
water supply that makes available
at the taps in the home a healthful
drinking water, such as will do away
with the necessity Of carrying water
for drinking purposes from a well
perhaps a block, or even two blocks
away, as is the case in many places
right here in Alma.
Such things not only add to the
value Of ones property in a commun-
ity, but make it desirable place for
the location of new industries, which
have a great effect in increasing the
community value of property Alma
people who have lived here for some
years past, know this to be true from
the greatly increased valuations of
property here, due to the growth and
development of The Republic Motor
Truck Company Inc. Competition
between cities to secure industries
is becoming keen, and it is the COM
munity that has these things to of
fer that stands the best opportunity
of acquiring the industry that it
seeks.
The Panama canal cost an enor-
nous sum Of money, yet many of
the larger cities of the country in
vested an amount in their water sys-
TENS that will exceed the cost of the
canal, because they have realized
just now dependent the growth of
the community is, upon good whole
some water supply.
The city of Alma in the past found
it necessary to bond for the con-
struction of a new waterworks, and
the putting down of wells for a good
yater supply, and it is very possible
that more money was paid for the
work than should have been paid for
the flow Of water that was secured,
but the administration at that time
did all that it could to give Alma re-
suits. 1t was dealing, evidently, at
that time, with people who were more
desirous Of securing the money than
in giving results, as pending court
cases that the city has, will Indicate.
1t was also necessary to provide for
a better water works to conform with
the desires Of the National Board of
Underwriters, and also because the
lease on the old waterworks was soon
to expire. What the possibilities Of
the new water works are, is indicat-
ed by the fact that figures compiled
by Manager William Reynolds, show
that the new pumping station is much
more economical than the old. Dur
ing the first three months of opera
ton the waterworks saved s400 per
month in the operating costs, as com
Jared to the old water works. Be
cause Of the high price OF coal, which
the old water works burned as fuel.
this amount would have increased
greatly during the late months.