Jasper County Democrat, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1902 — FOR THIRST AND FIRE [ARTICLE]

FOR THIRST AND FIRE

EXCELLENT WATER WORKS SYSTEM OP INDIANAPOLIS. Is Acknowledged to Be the Best of Its Class In the Country Growth and History. One of the features of municipal convenience Which the citizens of Indianapolis enjoy to an extent beyond that accorded to the people of most cities of the same size Is Its water works system. In a community so comparatively new, built up so rapidly as to outstrip even the keenest enterprise, a perfect system and a perfect supply of absolutely wholesome water for domestic uses, an adequate force for fire protection and a plentiful distribution for all public uses could hardly be looked for, yet In this respect Indianapolis makes a most favorable showing when compared with any other city In the entire country. In the early days one of the chief drawbacks to the growth of the city on a scale commensurate with Its Importance as the capital of one of the most progressive states and its potential promise as one of the leading commercial centers of the country was the lack of a system of water supply adapted to its needs. Other cities In the state suffered in like manner. To meet the requirements of the situation the legislature enacted a law authorizing the cities of the state to grant to corporations organized for the purpose the right to erect water works to supply cities with water. In accordance with the authority thus granted the city conferred a franchise on the Water Works company of Indianapolis. That company thereupon organized and commenced business on Jan. 1, 1870. The company displayed from the first a commendable purpose to carry out its franchise obligations In such a manner as to give the people of the city the very best results. It built a substantial pumping station on White river, below Waahlngton-st., and was to take water from wells along the river. The machinery then put in by the company consisted of rotary pumps, driven by water power and steam and having a capacity of 6,600,000 gallons. The company laid a twenty-four-inch supply main on Wash-lngton-st. and a twenty-inch main on Peari-st., with branches twenty and eighteen Inches. The company added other ' mains and Improved the plant so that In 1881 It had flfty-two miles of mains and had added to its pumping plant a quadruple! engine of 7,500.000 gallons capacity. In doing all this, however, the company had incurred a considerable indebtedness, amounting to nearly $1,350,000. Rates of Interest. The rates of Interest during the period this Indebtedness was Incurred were very high, and the company's patronage was not sufficient to meet Its obligations and keep up the necessary extension of the system. In 1881 the first mortgage bondholders brought suit to foreclose their mortgage, and the result was that the present Indianapolis water company was Incorporated, with a capital stock of $500,000, and succeeded to the assets and business of the original corporation. The reorganized company put In a plant which has always kept up to the requirements of the situation, .and In addition to its capital stock has outstanding bonds amounting to $1,850,000. The main offices are located at 113 Monument-place, and there are two pumping stations, station No. 1 being located on White river, below Washlngton-st., and the other, known as the Riverside pumping station, Is located north of Fall creek. The equipment of these pumping stations is of the

most Improved and modern character, with the Jtest and most highly developed water punfplng machinery, the company having a capacity for developing 67,000,000 gallons of water every twentyfour hours and placing this water at the mouth of the fire hydrants with 120 pounds pressure, while the domestic consumer has water delivered at seventy pounds pressure. The largest engine of the company has a capacity of 24,000,000 gallons and the plant Is built so as to be capable of rapid Increase to meet ths expanding demands of the city. Progressive Policy. The policy of the company has been progressive as to meeting the needs of the people of Indianapolis and Its Industries In regard to water service. It has been prompt In making extensions wherever a reasonable -demand for such extensions has become apparent, and Its constructive.work has been all done with the Idea of making Its plant one of ths best In the country and of providing am-, pie capacity for every requirement of a-, perfect water service. Managed on thls v progressive plan the company has suo- i ceeded In giving the Indianapolis water works system a place among the best In the country. It has made its service worthy of the city atid of the record of development which has placed Indianapolis among the most thriving of the great centers of population of the United States. The company's affairs are In the hands of some of our most prominent business men. Gen. Thomas A. Morris Is president; F. A. W. Davis, vice-pres-ident and treasurer, and Milton A. Morris secretary. Mr. Davis Is also treasurer of the Manufacturers’ natural gas company. In addition to Mr. Morris ths board of directors Includes Edward Daniels. J. L. Ketcham, Albert Baker, V. T. Malott, H. McKay Langdon, F. A. W. Dads, E. P. Kimball. E. T. Kimball and J. K. Bates of Portsmouth, N. H.j C. S. Andrews of Brazil, Ind.; C. H. Payson and Herbert Paysqn of Portland, Ma.