Talk About Sewers

The joint committee on sewerage met Thursday in the council chamber and discussed the question whether it is advisable forthe sewers to empty into the river. City Attorney Norris, who was prefent, took occasion during the meeting frequently to express his views on the subject. He maintained that a municipality had no right to pollute a stream of water. He, ho wever, declared himself a strong advocate of sewerage in the abstract. Prof. C. E. Green, when called upon, gave bis opinión that in a well designed system of sewerage the discharge would not be offensive. Eli W. Moore, president of the board of health, testified that the discharge from Kalamazoo had given no trouble to the residents of Plainwell, seven miles down the stream. Considerable discussion was had regarding the University sewer, against which Mr. Norris hurled anathemas. It was generally beheved that this sewer was improperly constructed. Upon motion of T. J. Keech, the committee decided to recommend to the council the appointment of inppectiiig committees to visit 'Kalamazoo and Jackson. THE COUNCIL MEETING. On Monday evening thecouncil met in special session for the consideratinn of the gewerage question. City Clerk Miller related the proceedings of the joint committee at their recent meeting. The matter of appointing committees carne up. Alderman O'Hearn asked wlipfher the same results might be attained by correspondence. Alderman Wines thought that this course would impose too much work on the officers ol other cities and it would consume too much tiuae. The voters should be allowed to decide upon the question without delay. Alderman Martin said that he found from conversations that the majority 01 people were not in favor of sending awav delegations. He insisted thal there was no hurry in the matter. All classes of people should have time to {hink the sewerage matter over carefully. They should know just what the council meant to do. Alderman Mann thought that there was no possibility of beginning sewers this year. Attention should be carefully given to details. He did not believe in the policy of sending committees away. Undue haste, moreover, might bring failure at the polls. After further discussion Alderman Kitson moved that the city clerk write to the proper authorities of various cities for information. Alderman Wines thought that such information would be indefinito and unsatisfactory. Business men never wait for correspondence when they undertake a big contract. Many questions can be discussed verbally which never arise through correspondence. He did not want to see the sewerage question postponed. President Cooley had examined the sewerage system of Kalamazoo, Lansing and Jackson. He thought the question of sending a committee or writing was purely one of expediency, although he thought personal visit preferable. If Ann Arbor could have as good a system as Kalamazoo she would be very fortúnate. The motion of Alderman Kitson passed. Alderman Wines offered another motion providing that the clerk write to the mayor of Kalamazoo ask" ing when it would be convenient for the city council to inspect their system. This motion also carried, but was afterwards reconsidered and laid on the table. Alderman Wines moved that Prof. Greene's report on sewerage be printed as part of the council proceedings and that bids be received for publishing 3,000 copies in pamphlet form. The motion prevailed. President Cooley advised that some copy of the sewerage map be included in the pamphlet, and upon his suggos tion the city clerk was asked to inquire into the cost of a píate. At this point the council adjourned till next Monday night, when the regular meeting will be held.