“Economy” in Atlanta

“Economy” in Atlanta

Because the water board in Atlanta, Ga., whose fine water supply is one of its greatest assets, is said to be haggling over the expense that must be incurred in laying a few lengths of pipe to buying for a few thousand dollars a strip of land whose proximity to the filtration plant threatens the purity of its water supply, the Georgian calls this a poor policy to follow. “Sensible economy,” it points out, “is a blessing, but parsimony is a menace. An excellent proof of this has been furnished by the water board. Within 30 feet of the coagulating basins of the water works are four open vaults and a pig pen. Nothing except a ditch prevents the drainage from flowing into the water that you eventually drink. Daily tests show that the water has not been defiled, but the board members say it eventually will be. Their remedy—and they say that under the existing health ordinances there is no other—is to buy the strip of land on which these vaults and the houses to which they belong stand. A very few thousand dollars would make the purchase, and members of the board point out that the water would not only be safeguarded, but the city would acquire a piece of property that may be necessary for reservoir expansion in years to come.” The Georgian points out that the city has plenty of money and ample facilities for borrowing.

While fixing a gasoline boat at Gueydan, La., a mart was severely injured. A wiseacre getting ready to smoke, struck a match, igniting the gasoline vapor and destroying the boat and the drawbridge under which it was tied.