Ashland weekly tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1919-1924, 1921-02-23
WATER DISCUSSION
AROUsEs MUCH INTEREST

Ashland water supply, visited the
city hall to confer with the mayer and
council last evening and presented
petition carrying the names OF 81
business men and others, reading as
follows:
I'VE, the undersigned, believing
that water supply to be the basis of
the future prosperity of Ashland, re-
spectfully ask the mayor and city
council to take immediate steps to
carry out the demands OF the voters,
that a reservoir be constructed for
the impounding of the water in Ash
land creek as expressed by the yot-
ers in the special election called for
that purpose"
l.. F. Ferguson presented the pc
tition and introduced the subject,
stating that for number of years
the question of an increased water
supply had been continually before
the Ashland people, that It was gen.
orally understood that the city cOun-
Gil had determined not to take any
action at present for the carrying out
of the wishes Of the people as ex-
pressed in the recent election author
izing a bond issue for this purpose.
Mayor C. B. Lamkin addressed the
meeting and stated that the council
had not yet determined that they
would not build the reservoir, that
they were very glad to see such
large gathering and only wished the
people might make 1t a regular prac-
tice to attend the council meetings.
General discussion then ensued. A.
c. Joy and F. ]. Shinn Of the coun-
Gil participating, also A. c. Nininger
and c. w. Banta, ex-members of the
council, taking part. A lively tilt
occurred between Messrs. j. H. Dill
and C. W. Banta, Mr.. Dill stating
that Banta had been worse on the
orchard growers of Ashland than the
woody aphis, and Banta responding
that Dill thought his judgment bet
ter than that of any engineer or law
yer. Mr.. Banta said he had under
stood Mr.. Dill was sick, and wonder
ed whether 1t was due to worrying
over the water question, but was blad
he was able to be out.
+. C. Homes stated the position OF
the water committee of the Chamber
of Commerce, that he personally. and
other members of the committee, felt
confident that the city council would
eventually work the matter out fOr
the good of the entire people.
DR.. Jarvis discussed the matter OF
the prior rights to the waters Of Ash
land creek held by parties under Hell
man ditch, and showed quite con-
clusiYely that these people had not
been able to obtain the amount OF
water due them during the dry sea-
son, having shared what was their
due with the city in order to preserve
lawns and gardens.
The warm spot in the discussion
was reached when the matter of me.
ters came up and Messrs. VanNatta,
Leavitt and other gave their opinion.
V. o. N. Smith offered a resolu-
ton that, ut be the sense of this
gathering that the city council be
urged to carry forward plans for
building the reservoir at the earliest
date consistent, and that 1t further
be the sense of this gathering that
the meter plan be not substituted
for the reservoir"
Mayor Lamkin stated that insofar
as the meters are concerned, the coun-
Gil had already determined on install
ling these as fast as possible, that
something over 200 had been ordered
and would be installed the coming
season.
This brought on another round Of
discussion in which Engineer +. H.
Walker and Earl Hosler of the water
department were interrogated.
Extracts from the report of D. c.
Henny, consulting engineer. of Port
land, were read by A. C. Joy, stating
that it would be- of no use to con-
struct reservoir, or otherwise aug
ment the water system, without some
method of control.
At the conclusion Of the discussion
the vote was taken on the Smith res
olution. and while some did not vote,
1t was carried by very large ma
jority of those present. only two per-
sons voting in the negative.
Secretary j. H. Fuller, of the
Chamber of Commerce, suggested
the advlsability of inviting Mr.. Henny
to be present at forum meeting and
answer such questions and inquiries
as might arise.
The meeting adjourned at late
hour, after three hours of discussion.