The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-11-10
FRIDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 10. 1o22.
THE MOUNTING COST.

sA1RMoNT has spent many thousands OF dol
lars In building streets. The city has miles
Of brick pavement laid in concrete, the most suo-
ttantia kind of street possible to build. So long
as the concrete holds its unbroken surface in which
the bricks are Embedded, there is an impenotrable
hnish3of almost cast iron consistency and the street
remains smooth and level a most satisfactory sur
face over which to drive
After break occurs in the brick and concrete
surface II is difficult to repair 1t is expensive
repair work, and unless IT is done with labor OK
pert IN the business tho patched portion breaks
again and again each time weakening the ad.
Joining surface. The work recently undertaken by
the traction company in Fairmont is clear illus
ration Of the great expense. and the hard labor
necessary to repair concrete and brick surface
which has crnmbled under too heavy load
Nov, the city faces serious menace to its expen.
stye hard surfaced driyeways. This menace does
NOT come from too much weight IN traffic, nor
from an nnsuspected weak place that frost and
moisture has taken advantage OF. The menace
comes from beneath in the Corroded water pipes
where the acids in the city wator are making havoc
Esery broken pipe beneath the pavement means
that fneS expensive, hard brick and cement
surface must be attacked by pick and nam
strength and broken and dug up in order 10 reach
the trouble below. The city must not only replace
the leaking pipes as best it may but 1t must re.
pr its magnificent streets as best 1t may, and II
freezing weather is on hand such repairs must be
postponed and the opening made 10 reach water
pipes must remain tumble OF loose bricks and
mean bump for automobiles until conditions are
favorable for the right kind of repair.
Not having pure city water is going to put Fair
mont tossueh expense iRthe next six months in the
way pipe repairs, and street repairs, and pri-
yateexpense for plumbers bills. that the sum total
viii be appalling. To tho observant citizen WHO
realizes at what expense Fairmont's concrete and
brick pavement was laid, there is an actual rcvul-
siottalmost physical in its strength at watching
city street gang attack a splendid perfect surface
TO get at the leaking miserable pipes beneath.
Many drivers are now humping over holes, IRE now
dodgihg around protecting shields, or dropping
into unsupported breaks, all result of the in-
tdions work OF acids in the city water.
What is Fairmont going to do? See her ex-
pensiye payements go to bits and face repair
hill equal to the cost OF making fine new i'm
proyements? Something MUST be done, surely
no citizen is 30 blind that no does not recognize
it Fatrmont must gather together civic courage
enough and civic faith enough to put the big
gest proposition she has ever attempted and that
IS the securing of pure water supply for the city
whySnot do the thing right and finally and for
allltime? Why not seek an uncontaminated source
otsupply, purchase the water rights at the source,
and be forever rid OF any question of acid. and
poisons dumped in the streams that furnish water
% our citizens!