FIRE AND WATER
WHEN (if ever) Philadelphia has its new mains down, with an ample supply of water for fire service,and when the water for domestic use is in every sense of the word potable—not only clear but wholesome, then its citizens may possess their souls in peace. At present, however, Chief Trautwine complains of the inadequate water supply and notes the fact that the growing consumption of water is rapidly outgrowing the facilities for distribution; that, while Philadelphia has recently only just escaped a “wide-spread conflagration,” it will not be long before the inadequacy of the street mains will seriously menace the densely settled and business portions of the city. Director of Public Works Thompson,on his part,reechoes Chief Trautwine’s warning and besides,calls for the filtration of the water, which he points out is not a costly manner as carried on under the latest improved methods. It is vastly cheaper than sickness or death to a community. Filter beds, it is unanimously agreed upon by almost all expert engineers, is the only true and absolutely safe method, as far as is known at the present time, of filtering water for domestic purposes, when the supply comes from the surface, as from rivers and other similar sources. The pollution of the water supply of the city has become such a serious matter that some definite and positive action must be taken in the very near future for its purification.
Do the councilmen of Philadelphia imagine that these two expert authorities are merely crying “ Wolf ?” If not, why do they refuse to afford the citizens the much needed relief.
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