Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 172, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 July 1915 — THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE. [ARTICLE]

THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.

The Republican is always pleased to have citizens discuss matters of public interest through its columns. Nothing speaks of a higher community intelligence than a public discussion in a friendly manner of things affecting the public and we invite others to contribute along the lines here discussed or about other matters of public interest.

Proper Drainage. Editors Republican— Rensselaer is not the beautiful city now. We have voted down the interurban railway. We have our city flooded with water and filth, causing stench and sickness, destroying homes and causing people to move o€t of the city. • This is caused mainly by the city allowing the filling up of Make-*Em-Self ditch before adequate sewers were provided to take care of the immense amount of water coming off the farms adjacent to the city. The damage has been done and there must be same way to relieve the east part of the city. First, there should be a 15-inch tile starting on the north side of the corporation line and east side of same and running west to the river, in order to cut off all the overflow from the farms north of the city. This should enter the city below the city in order ito have the full advantage of the fall in the river and not pass through the city. This should not rufi south above the falls, os we would lose the fall and the filth carried through the drain would pass through the city.

Second, and another plan, would be to run 12-inch sewers from the east side of the corporation line down each street as direct to the river as possible. This, with sewers going in every direction would take care of all water and provide drainage for all property so all could have basements. We have at least 10 feet fall from the lowest point east to the This would make a general system of drainage which we do not have now’.

Swimming Pool. It certainly looks fine to have our people take hold of public improvements in the manner in which they do. There is not much doubt in the mind of the writer but that the people of Rensselaer will come up to their usual standard of civic pride and progressiveness in providing ‘a swimming pool. #We would, however, suggest a little deliberation before spending SSOO or S6OO of the public’s money. Don’t jump at this proposition too quickly. We all had our annual bath when the Iroquois was up, and now we are in no immediate need of a swimming pool; but don’t think the writer is not in favor of the pool. He is most emphatically for it. There are so many things to consider. We want a public play ground; we want more equipment for our gymnasium at the high school; we eventually will have a physical director in our schools, for it is just as important that a child be taught the proper use and care of the body as it is that the mind be developed, for the highly developed intellect would be very inefficient with an undeveloped body. Some of the things to be considered about a swimming pool are, permanency, accessibility and location. Children of school agte will be the most frequent users of the pool and it should be located where it will be most accessible to them. A public play grounds and swimming pool would be fine very near the school building. There are shower baths at the gymnasium and lockers, also. These could be used during school months in connection with the pool, and supervision might be arranged for from the teaching force. There is ample space north of the high school building for a pool. This space belongs to the city schools, and in talking to members of the school board I am of the opinion the space would be obtainable for this purpose. In this location the pool could be easily filled and as easily drained, and perhaps heated if need be, provided, of course, proper arrangements could be made with the city. These things should all be taken into consideration before locating or building a public swimming pool. —CONTRIBUTED.