THE FITTNTMV HERALD Tv'T.AtATH FALLS. ORFfinM
To The Voters of Klamath Falls
The city of Klamath Falls has arrived at the -cross-roads.
One road leads to development, growth
and prosperity; the other to a state of municipal
relapse that will check the wave of expansion which
has doubled the population of Klamath Falls in five
years.
In the hands of citizens tomorrow will rest the .
decision of which road this city will take. If the
electorate ratifies the sewer bond issue the citya
growth will not only continue but will accelerate; if
the bond issue is turned down, we firmly believe that
. development will stop in its tracks. '
The sewer development is not only needed for
the future ; it is the sore and immediate need of the
present. It is not a question of passing interest; it
is a question of emergency. Something must be done
and the men in whose hands' the city's government '
lies, are doing exactly the same thing you and I
would be doing if we were at the reins of municipal
government They are going to the people with the
plea that a serious situation exists in Klamath Falls
affecting the health and pocketbook of every man
within its boundaries, and they are asking these peo
ple to help themselves by voting for this sewer bond
issue tomorrow.
Of the need of the sewer we feel that practically
every voter of Klamath Falls is convinced. But we
can not refrain from dwelling to a certain extent on
this phase. v
The present trunk line sewer system was built to
serve a city of 6,000. Five years ago, that system
was sufficient; today the city has a population of
12,000. ,
As a result trunk line sewers are overloaded, the
existing disposal plant is totally unfit and "Ewauna
lake and Klamath lake have become sewage dump- N
"ing grounds which menace fish life and are a nuis
ance and impediment to the lumber industry.
Thousands of trout in Klamath river and Ewauna
lake have died. Why? Because so great a volume
of sewage is dumped into this waterway that the
trout cannot live.
Klamath river and' Ewauna lake are log ponos.
These logs are soaked with contaminated water. A
mill worker gets a splinter in his hand and what
happens? Ask a doctor. He will tell you that infec
tion usually results because of the contamination the
wood bears.
Klamath Falls is growing and new residential
districts are sprouting up here and there. Sewe
lines have been laid but cannot be connected be- :
cause the trunk line sewers are unable to bear the
burden." So these people who have invested their
money in Klamath Falls property, who came here
believing that this city was.. a progressive and fast
growing town, have been left in the lurch. They
must use cesspools, a potential menace to life and
health. .
What chance i3 therefor any property develop
ment without a sewer system that can accommodate
the city? Who would think of investing money in .
land that is destined to be without sewers for years? . .
The state game commission is awaiting patiently
the result of this election. They are deeply concern
ed with the loss of fish life and if Klamath Falls does
not repair the situation the commission will take
steps it deems necessary. The commission would
probably bring suit against the city, a move which
would bring unfavorable publicity to Klamath Falls t
throughout the length ana breadth of the land.
The state health board has expressed itself open-
ly on the Klamath sewer situation. One member of -the
board said that the situation was one of the
worst in the northwest. ' ;
Dr. F. D. Strieker, secretary of the board, has
announced that the board might be forced to take
"necessary steps" to correct the situation. Of course
the board could not force the city to build, but it
could irreparably-hurt the good standing of tho city.
.
The Klamath river is an interstate waterway.
v California has the right to insist that that part of
the river which flows through the Golden state shall
be free of contamination. Would it not be a serious
situation to have a state bring action against a city
to force that city to correct a health menace?
So much for the need of a sewer. We could dwell
at length on the crisis this city faces. We could tell
you of cesspool seepage flowing down gutters, of chil-
dren playing on ground that was soggy with seepage
and we could mention the possible threat to our water
supply. But we are firm in the belief that every hon
est and fair-minded voter who is not swayed by per
sonalities and politics, is convinced of the need.
Now, let us discuss the method of expending sewer
bond money, the sewer plans and the protection the
city will have against any bungles.
' ' The sewer committee which is voicing this appeal,
agrees with voters who believe precautionary meas
ures should be taken to ensure efficient andeffective
handling of such a big project., Every dollar of the
i people's money that is disbursed should be handled,
carefully.. There should and. we believe, will not be "
any mistakes connected with this municipal under
taking. , '
As a proof of its sincerity and of its desire that the
best service possible shall be rendered to the voters
of Klamath Falls, the city administration has, of its
own volition, appointed an advisory committee of
five men, prominent in the business and social life of
the community. This committee will confer with tho
city council on all matters concerning the disbursing
s of sewer bond money. They will express their views
on the plans for the project and, in every way possible,
will' attempt to cut down the cost. Personnel of this
committee includes J. A. Gordon, president of the
First National bank; E. M. Bubb, vice-president of
the American National bank; J. P. Duke, president
of the Oregon Bank and Trust company; M. S. West,
E resident of the Big Lakes Box company and H. D.
ewell, Klamath Manager of the bureau of reclama
tion. , . - '
No voter who reads those names and realizes that
they are synonymous with progress and development
can feel that anything will go amiss.
Last, but not least, this committee wishes to cover
the financial end. The present plans call for issuing
$300,000 in bonds to finance this project. Some claim
the work can be effectively done for less. Today
Mayor Watters issued a statement pledging himself
as mayor of the city, that if the project couldbc done
for less money, if the cost could possibly be decreased,
the administration would ho act and only the amount
- of bonds necessary to handle the project would be
sold. ' - V "
Ort. the present assessed valuation of Klamath
Falls it will require a three mill tax to pay the interest
and retire the bonds in 30 years. The average Klam
ath Falls home will be taxed approximately $3 a year
. it tha oitv shrmlrl not. crrnw further. Hnwpvpr if th
next five years should witness a 100 per cent increase
in population as did the last five, the cost for every
average home owner would be $1.50 each year.
Jn closing the sewer committee 'representing the
chamber of commerce and every civic club in the
v city, calls upon eacn ana every citizen 10 consiaer
the existing situation calmly and fairly, and then cast
his vote. If every resident of this city would do just
; " ; that, we would have no doubt of the outcome. .
Klamath Falls Sewer Committee
Paid adv.