The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-04-07
TngRspAY HvRNiNe. ApRl1 .. 1gse.
10 sErrnE THE QUESTION.

first definite suggestion regarding the loca-
ton Of a source OF pure water supply for
Fairmont comes from L. A. Gather who writes a
letter to this paper setting forth ID a clear concise
tsaysthesthins which The West viftthtan advocated
in an editorial this week following the failure OF
theibondissue for a filtration plant.
ITS to be hoped that many Fairmonters read Mr..
Gathers letter which was published In wednes-
days issue, for there will be hundreds who will
sgree with his opinion, and who believe that Fair
mont loughtyto get down to actual Business regard
Ing her water supply. Our local rivers as a pure
water supply are definitely gone forever. The
Monongahela and the West Fork are now as bare
ot5lite as dry river beds, from the poisonous drain
aEe which flows into them. only a few years ago
both rivers were teeming with fish and everybody
remembers those months when the dead and dying
tishsheaped the shores of these streams, a pittful
sacrifice to development,
The Tygart's Valley is doomed 10 the same fate.
The people Of this community surely realize that
the industrial life OF all this great section OF the
ehat2ts headed this way. Pittsburgh and its vast
development Is but the beginning of a great chain of
factories, plants, and coal industry that in time will
line the Monongahela clear to the sources OF its
Contributing rivers. Fairmont is as certainly linked
With this development as II she we're already Joined
up Into our rivers will pour the refuge from all
thislndustrial influx as well as the sewage from the
cities and towns that will grow and expand as
Industry calls. THIS will not be a hundred years
from 1t will not be fifty years perhaps, so it
comes about that there Is no time to delay In
settling the question Of a pure water supply that
will serve the city regardless of what may happen
tosthe local streams.
There Is another reason for haste. Ten years
from now the mountain streams that would be ade-
squate to supply this city with water wilt be leased
TO the last foot BY power companies who recognize
IN West Virsinia's mountainous territory, power
enough to runs hundreds OF factories and plants
that may be located almost any distance away from
thessource Of the power supply. It will be a woe
tuisdsy for this city II local water conditions rot
beyond chemical treatment and all othet- sources
we're closed to US. II the city can go no further at
PRESENT II should at least purchase now some pure
water source Of ample flow.
The finding Of a pure water supply for the city
and the conveying OF 1t to the people would cost
no smallsuml OF money, but 1t is not too large for
F%atrnonti to handle. The same spirit and ambition
that put across the new bridge could also tackle
this solution for the water question with out fear,
fetitf 4! something that affects the most vital inter.
estSot everybody, and it has enough appeal TO It
instts unquestioned right that II cannot help but
receive stout support. There should be earnest
diseussionl about the proposition. 1t means sc-
curing for Fairmont pure, healthful water for all
Tine Solving the water question by securing a
pnteAwater source of supply means solving II for
ever The West Virginian would be glad to re-
II LUE sL