How It Strikes A Mariner
Editor Courier- It strikes an average lariner that the Times and Register Editora n their discussion of the water supply quesĂon have sort of lost their hearings, and are ut of the channel, as it were, though uriously they seem to be in the same boat. They appear chiefly coucerned only to have i nough water in " their'n," to float their own ark, and to get their supply, whether there hould be enough Lor household uses jr not. A few general propositions may serve as ighthouses in their befogged oondltion. First, The Water Company never asked, or btained of the City the right to furnish water or navigalĂon. ( See navigable gutters in vartous parts of the city.) Second, Nor could it have secured the ex - lusive franchise for the use of our streets, o furnish water for motors only. Machlnery s not depended on water alone as a motive power though ifpreferred, any kind of water s good enough to run a motor. But to most people their is no substltute for good pure water for domestic purpose. Third, The contract of the Water Company with city is to furnish wholesome water to consumera, and water pressure for flre purposeland important as the latter is the necesity for pure water for family use is still greater. Fourth, The furnishing plenty of wholesome water, for domestic use and protection against flre, are proper functions for a city government. It will scarcely beclaimed, that t is the business of the city to furnish motive power to run maehinery for private enterprlses no matter how worthy they are. Fiflh, The right ofthehousehold consumer of water should be first, and of the City for flre protectiou next. Both pay enough to secure good quality aud plenty in quantity. Sixth, If the Company eau supply more, there is no objection to the surplus being used for motors. Or if the demand for water for motive power is suffleient the Company could put in a separate pipe direct from the river. Or, wbat mlght be preferable, use the present works entirely for flre and commercial purposes, and let another Company or the city secure a supply of water lor domestic uses from Dr. Steere's flowing wells, or in that vicinity.
Article
Subjects
Old News
Ann Arbor Courier
Joseph Beal Steere