Ashland weekly tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1919-1924, 1921-12-14
WALKER TO FIGURE
COST AND LOCATION
WATER RESERVOIR

COSf AMI LOtATION
WATER RESERVOIR
Following the presentation OF a /
petition signed by 800 citizens rep
resented by o. Gustafson and Fred
Homes at the regular meeting of the
city council yesterday evening, A. w.
Walker, city engineer, was instruct
ed by the city dads to prepare estl-
mates on the cost of building a res.
ervoir or reservoirs in the city water
shed. Granting the request of the
petitioners, Engineer Walker wih
give data on the suitable locations
for such a reservoir, the amount OF
water that could be stored by means
OF such improvement. Complete da-
ia, according to the instructions of
the council, will be given by Mr..
Walker to inform the public regard
ing the feasibility of building a res
ervoir and the benefit to accrue
from il.
Sensing an implied demand for
action In the speeches made by Mr.,
Gustafson and Mr., Homes, the lat
ter intimating that il cooperation
was refused by the council the reser-
yoir hackers would take a definite
stand to improve the water situa-
tion. Councilmen Joy and Frost
and Mayor Lamkin were reused to
brisk oratory in explanation Of the
councils position.
Referring to statements and re-
ports made by engineers employed
by the city. claiming that Ashland
had an abundant but uncontrolled
water supply, Mayor Lamkin stated
that his personal vote would be cast
against the proposed reservoir, until
such data and information, which he
said the city was acquiring, could
be obtained in support of the pro-
ject. Although not as tersely ex-
pressed, the gist of Mayor Lamkin's
address was that haste makes waste
and the council did not yet have suf-
ficient information to construct a
reservoir or admit of its adyisibility,
"But," said Mayor Lamkin. "as o
majority man, II the majority OF the
voters say to put in the dam, I'll
say put 1t In"
Following lengthy discussions and
expressions by Councilmen Frost and
Joy for the engagement Of an engi-
neer to furnish a report on the city
water system with the intention OF
ascertaining points OF waste, Mr.
Homes said II don't believe the peo
pie either want or will accept re
port from any engineer. They wan
the reservoir"
Mayor 5amkIn and members o
the council felt that very little coult
be done In controlling the water sup
kply until the system had been met
cred The meters, they agreed,
could not be practically Installed un
til the water was cleared Of sedl
ment and debris coming from Ash
land creek. Earl Hosler, water sup
erntendent, is now negotiating fol
the purchase of a screen to be in
stalled at the city power plant fol
that purpose. According to a bic
made by Portland firm, such ar
improvement would cost approx
mately $4,000.
Action was taken by the cOuncl
to acquire lot or lots in the city FOL
the purpose OF conducting expert
ments to ascertain the actual amoun
of water needed for agricultural de
velopment of the Ashland granite
soil, a matter which had been poin
of much contention. Efforts will bt
made to obtain the assistance O.
Prof. Reimer, of the experiment sta
tion at Talent, to act in conjunction
with a committee appointed by thu
faction supporting the reservoir pro
ject.