Letter from Walter R. Bracken (Las Vegas) to W. H. Comstock (Los Angeles), June 17, 1922

Las Vegas, Nevada, June 17, 1922. Mr. W. H. Comstock, General Manager, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad Co. Los Angeles, California. Dear Sir: I wired you twice yesterday in reference to our water supply and the condition concerning same here in Las Vegas, but as yet have not had any reply. I have just had Mr. Hoffman and Harry Coffey up over the line with me this afternoon to see what they might suggest in the way of an immediate relief. We are cited to appear before a representative of the Utilities Commission on Monday the 19th. I would like to be in a position to avoid the trouble which I see arising, but it is absolutely impossible to do so until our water supply is corrected. There is positively no doubt, which has been proven by actual experience, that if we keep the intake of the new line filled, but that we will have ample pressure to carry water to the second story of all two story buildings here in town, but at present, on account of defective pipe line from the larger spring to the intake, we are receiving but approximately 1/4 of the spring supply, the rest of the water flowing down the creek. If this pipe line cannot be fixed immediately so as to keep the supply of the intake filled, as suggested by Mr. Coffey and Mr. Hoffman this afternoon I would recommend that we immediately secure some 6, 8, 10, or even 13-inch second hand casing or, if need be, new casing and run an emergency line from the big spring alongside of the pipe line to the intake. This will require approximately 2500 feet of pipe. If this cannot be done for immediate relief we should place a small centrifugal pump on the edge of the creek right by the intake and pump water direct from the creek into the same and thus keep it filled at all times. I realize that during the hot months there is an excessive use of water here in Las Vegas, but it would seem almost criminal for us to place meters on our various service numbers, which we are empowered to do through our franchise, for by so doing we would stop all the irrigation of lawns and trees. There is undoubtedly enough water for all purposes during the summer months, as well as winter months, if some arrangement can be made whereby we can have that water delivered to the intake of the pipe line instead of running down the creek. There is no need of this supply - 2 - in the creek, as in our lease covering the ranch, we specifically state they are to have no waters only such as are not required by us for railroad and town purposes. If the water service gang are too busy with other matters to attend to this at once, I wish you would empower me with the proper authority to go ahead and do what can be done for immediate relief. Both Mr. Hoffman and Mr. Coffey advise that this could be overcome by a 40 pound Booster, same as the one used on train line at the depot, but it would require a much greater expenditure and at least two months time before that could be installed. My idea at the present is to secure relief in the beet and quickest way possible. Yours truly, B/H Vice-President & Agent.