Rawlins Republican

THE FORUM
The Forum on March 1st was probably the best attended and in many respects the most interesting yet held. The subject discussed was the Water Question.

Mr. J. W. Wisda, county surveyor, made a very interesting talk, paying particular attention to the Sage Creek proposition. While admitting that there is a question about the amount of the water available he very strongly favors Sage creek if investigation shows a sufficient supply. As soon as the weather will permit accurate measurements are to be made. His idea is to go to the springs which are the source of the creek and by enclosing these various small streams in cement conduits, finally to bring all of them together and bring the supply to Rawlins without giving any chance for surface drainage to contaminate the water. He estimates that the whole affair including a wooden pipe line for thirty miles would cost about $300,000. While this would be about $75,000 or $100,000 more than the Platte River plan yet this being a gravity flow would avoid the constant charge for pumping and in the long run would be cheaper.

Mr. L. E. Armstrong spoke for an hour and covered many phases of the situation. He betrayed an intimate knowledge of the subject. Mr. Armstrong in the main favored the Platte River project for the reason that there is an undisputed supply for all time. He opposed the Sage Creek proposition not only on the ground of uncertainty for supply but because it must use a wooden pipe line which he said had proved a failure and is being abandoned in many places in Wyoming and elsewhere. He estimated the cost of installation to be about $200,000 to $225,000 and life of the plant at about 60 years. This is to care for a city of 10,000 and based on a supply double the present needs. He estimated the annual charge for pumping and upkeep to be about $20,000 to $25,000 per year.

Mayor Anderson read a very good and interesting paper on the history of the water proposition from the beginning of the city of Rawlins.

After some discussion by various prominent persons who were present it was finally voted to request the mayor and council to appoint a committee of fifteen prominent citizens to look into every phase of the water situation and to recommend such action as seems best under the circumstances.

Mr. Revelle McMicken is to address the Forum on March 8 on the topic, "The East as Seen by a Westerner."
Those who know Revelle are expecting a treat.
The Forum is to continue its meetings until about May 15th after which it will adjourn for the summer. Announcement may shortly be expected of the program for the remaining dates of the spring.