The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1921-06-08
IF PUMP
Goes GOODBYE
TO WATER
Gravity Of Situation Is Brought
Out BY Chicago Consulting
Engineer.

water. water everywhere, and not
drop 20 drink. or baths IN. or sprinkle
with In SONS places. While the ques-
ton OF nnancing the water works i'm
provements was being discussed at the
regular meeting OF the Hammond
council last evening, the single 10
ooo. 900 gallon pump OF the water
pisnt-the only thing which stands be
tvesn Hammond and an APPALLING
water famine. chugged and throbbed
at Lake Front park. faithfully tryins
10 supply the city with much needed
water.
rhe gravity Of the situation was
graphicaIly brought out oy Johh
Ericsson, consulting engineer of the
city OF Chicago. and now in the en-
ploy OF this city to oversee the I'm
provenents 70 be made in the water
system and By A. J Swanson chalt
man Of the board OF public works
Both OF these men explained the situa-
rfon In all its seriousness. The propo-
sitton IS that the one pump. which Is
supolying all OF the water used o5
the city is the only plank when
stands between the city and disaster
A breakdown at present would mean
terrible situation for Hammond. ne
really hot months of summer Wheh
the water consumption is the greatest
are yet TO come. The pump. with
many years Of faithful service in oacN
Of 81 is hRhting an abnormal lift from
the intakes TO the discharge mans
and is being slowly but surely worn
erinds at 1t with every revolution ct
the wheel.
while ths council worries about the
bysineas end OF the proposition. steps
are being taken to provide temporary
rauaf The a6 inch transmission main.
With a dead end at 12oth street is al
present being connected with the two
dtscharxe mains from the plant. When
iris work is completed, the pressure
in the city will be Increased from -
to 20 pounds.
Mr. Ericsson recommended strongly
a water survey OF the entire s-s'o'i
a. once in order TO detect and stop The
many leaks which allow a large part
Of our water to seep away into the
severs. When this IS completed ano
tnA new transmission main is con
neeted the relief gained should carry
the city through the critical period OF
NOT weather, providing the pump re-
mains in commission.
Tbs corporation" plan Of financing
&ha water works improvements as
discussed pro and con BY members oi
4nA council, representatives Of the
rhamber OF Commerce and citizens
~ho came to the meeting out Of inter
eat in the project. The chief arSu
ant against the plan is that the
bonds issued against the dummy cor
noratton would be hard to sell on &C
eount of an alleged question as to
.naiy LEGALITY. raised some time ago
!, vaA not SHOWN definitely that the !
hondk had ever been questioned, bur |
~ such a question ever has been rails |
ID there Is no doubt but that mar |
k.t for than would be hard TO find.
The fact that bond attorneys un-
1oubtedly passed on the legality OF |
the bonds before they were sold in the |
rrst place under this plan. would tend |
- prove their validity under the laws
or the state.
A. N. Turner spoke concerning the |
legality Of tho bonds and stated that |
he believed that they were at one
tine questioned He said that as long |
a. ths credit OF the city is here II |
should be used for something which
is badly needed. The water works |
improvements is the most vital thing
to be considered BY the city at this
time.
Judge v. S. Reitsr. representing the
Chamber of Commerce. presented and |
exclaimed the plan 10 the council. His
talk was in the light OF helpful sug-
eestton and he stated his opinion that
the bonds issued against the Lake City
water company would find a ready a
as the bonds against the city1
for the reason that their legality had
been passed on by the most reputable
hond attorneys IN Chicago when the
bonds now issued were hrt placed on
the market.
He brought out the fact that the
city never has owned the water works,
although It has always controlled it.
Before the proposed improvements
can be made it viii be necessary FOR
the city to gain control OF the plant
bv purchasing the bonds now out
standing against the plant. II the city
d esires TO finance the new work by
bond issue against the city.
What Hamond wants and must have