The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-10-10
BOND ELECTION
NECESSITY is
TOLD VOTERS
Mayor Lenhart, in Statement
For the City Commission
Explains Situation
MEANS MONEY SAVING
Warrants To Be Replaced BY
Bonds If Voters
Approve
MEANS MONEY SAVING

NOIcIS VI Vie CIIy are doNCu ~
cast their ballots in favor of bond
issue of $235,O00 for the city water
works system on Saturday, October
13. Mayor Lenhart, in a statement
today in behalf Of the city commits
sion, made the following detailed
statement:
con Saturday, October the thir-
teenth, you are asked by The City
Commission to vote on bond issue
in the sum Of $235, 100000 for the pur-
pose of financing the City Owned
water system. 1t seems TO me that it
is proper at this time that you be
told briefly the situation at present
in connection with the building and
financing, in order that your minds
may be clear on the issue before us.
First, we wish to make it plain
that this request for bonds does not
mean that the plant is costing the
city more than originally estimated.
1t had been originally planned to is
sue improvement warrants to cover
the cost of the plant in excess of the
original bond issue. We are now
asking you to vote bonds in the 81 m
of $235, 100000 in place of this sum
warrants. We find that by so doing you
will save a very considerable sum
yearly, as the bonds will bring a
much better price on the market.
sour attention has been called to
a story being circulated that the
bonds were asked for because the
plant was exceeding the original es-
innate. This is not the case. In fact
the cost instead Of being in excess
of the engineers estimate will be re-
duced by about $40,OOO.00. After
consultation with the engineers the
Board Of City Commissioners cut out
thirty six blocks of mains in the
outlying districts, thereby reducing
the cost.
Original Plans
"The original plans and specifica-
tions for a complete new system and
also for additions to the old system
of The Bismarck Water Supply Com
pany were made by the City En-
gineer in 1920. Each of these sets
of plans included a filtration plant
| which we are convinced is a most
necessary part Of system in order
that pure, safe, wholesome water be
furnished at all times. (This will
avoid in the future the dirty, unsafe
| condition of the water which existed
all this summer causing sickness, ex-
pense and loss of time to the water
users of the city).
"After the agreement for the pur-
chase of the old system was entered
into with George P. Flannery, of
st. Paul president Of the Water
Company and Executor to the estate
of the late Alexander McKenzie)
The Board of City Commissioners,
after consulting with the City Ep-
gineer and Lewis P. Wolff, consult
ing engineer, decided to bring in the
sixteen inch main from the reservoirs
into the city along Avenue c. in
stead of Broadway. (This change
was also made to keep down the
cost.) This work is we'll under way.
Over mile has been completed and
the balance will be completed this
fall. This additional supply main
was put in at the demand Of the in
surance underwriters for fire pro-
lection, and will also result in an
adequate domestic supply with in
creased pressure to those water US
ers who heretofore have been depriv-
ed of sufficient supply Of water.
Work Progressing Rapidly
"The work on the filtration plant
is progressing rapidly. The engine
is ready to be shipped and the plant
should be ready for operation in the
spring.
| Great care has been taken in the
designing Of the plant. Great care
in the building of it is being taken
No effort has been spared to keer
down the cost and at the same time
give the city an up to date, first
class property in every way. After
the plans and specifications Mo
been worked out by the City En-
gineer, he called to Bismarck, c
Arthur Brown, of Chicago, Mr.
Brown being the foremost filtration
engineer in the United States. Mr.
Brown went over the plans carefully
studied conditions here and applied
his skill and knowledge in perfectine
the plans for this plant. In addition
Lewis P. Wolff, consulting engineer
Of st. Paul, an engineer who has
designed and constructed more watel
works systems in sthe Northwest thar
any other engineer was called in. II
fact Mr.. Wolff has made many trip,
to Bismarck in connection with thi.
plant and is now in close touch will
every operation. The services o
these men and others named follow
ing are being paid for BY the Cit!
Engineer from the compensation al
lowed him BY the city.
"In addition to the above experts
the City Engineer called In Mr. R
(continted on Psge- q /.