Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1927-03-17
BELINGTON MOUNTAIN WATER
SHED AND WHAT IT MEANS
TO US


" luncheon Friday evening at the
Luzerne. The Public Affairs Com
mittee had charge of the program,
with O. H. Gall, chairman. Howard
Price and L. L. Bennett we're on the
program and made some Interesting
references to the cleanliness ana san
itary conditions of the town.
Mr.. BENEFITS address follows:
It is to be regretted that this sub
ject was not assigned to real speak
er-for it is my belief that it is one
of the most important subjects that
we have to deal with at the present
time. (Here he displays sample Of
river water and a sample Of spark
ling mountain water.)
Fellow Kiwanians, on June IS.
1926, our efficient present city council
purchased 172 acres, the most impor-
tant Of the 240, which comprises the
most important plat of land in all the
world to US as citizens of .Belington,
yes, more important than the $780,
900 of real estate, more important
than the $4,000 personal property,
or the $347, 900 of public utilities, for
money and energy would replace any
or all of these. Even our lights,
streets and sewers could, no doubt, be
improved upon il we were now doing
them over with full knowledge from
the wonderful school of experience.
But with this wonderful, uneycelled
fountain of pure water, with its
grand covering of Gods own creation
towering more than 1,400 feet above
us, with the majestic oaks, hickories.
naples and poplars to cool and sweet
en- the life-giving nectar. And. this
IS not all, it is neither limestone, sui
phur nor mineral water, and does not
wash down over the red CLAWS, soap
stones or swamps to pollute or dis
color it, but courses down over the
water falls, through the sand and
gravel which is the best known puri-
flyer, if it had not been pure from the
beginning. And for the wildness or
grandeur of scenery, you need not go
to the Rockies, but just take an after
noon with your supper in a basket
and go to Buzzard's Glory, forget all
the mean things folks have said about
you, and for once enjoy nature in all
her grandeur; where blackberry vines
grow Is feet high and berries TX
inches long; with ferns the surprise
and delight of strangers, growing
more than 6 feet from the ground to
tip; and right among the things men
toned, there are absolutely pure
water streams, which if stored and
cared for will furnish water for co.
600 happy and healthy citizens.
Pray tell me where, if you can, has
the Divine Providence dealt more
generously with her children. only
wish myself capable of getting you
interested in our own good fortunes,
for they are ours You, too will be
as enthusiastic as | am.
We way disagree some times in re-
ligion, politics and whether or not we
should pay dog tag, but l will wager
q good cigar that there will not be a
single difference Of opinion in which
of these glasses Of water you would
drink in preference, or give to your
children's children.
Gentlemen and Kiwanians, we owe
a debt Of heartfelt gratitude to the
present mayor and councilmen, who
have with unselfsh desires, and
thinking only of your best interests
and mine, made it possible that as
citizens Of Belington can say "the
mountain reservoir and the watershed
above it are ours"
Why friends, the timber alone is
right now worth half> what the land
and all cost US, and no doubt, within
ten years will become worth more
than it cost, from timber stand
point if it had no other value.
But there is another serious prob
lem to be faced and | only want to
bother you for few moments long
er if our good president will permit
me- and that is the Forest Fire Haz-
ard. Our national government as
timber conservation measure have IN
every forest they own and control,
cleared fire break or safety zone.
These zones run from 100 to 300 feet
wide. / think If this is good business
from timber standpoint it should
be equally as good in preserving our
watershed. A clear space 100 feet
wide the entire length of our north
ern boundary, either within our pres
ent holdings or acquired for the ex-
press purpose, would be a safety
measure which we could hail with joy
when we WorIId sep fine forest fire LAT