EXPENSE ENTAILED BY USING BAD WATER.
Considering the financial influence of the matter alone, it might be supposed that parties building railroads would exercise diligence in selecting the best water that possibly could be secured for boiler purposes, since the operating expenses are largely magnified by using impure water; but for many years the subject appeared to receive no attention whatever from those best able to regulate the water supply, and water stations were established without any consideration as to the character of the water available.
It is owing to the absence of care in the original locating of water stations, that numerous tanks are to-day drawing their supply from bad wells, where surface water could easily be obtained. Railroad companies are peculiarly conservative about making changes that entail expenditure of money: and existing evils in the water supply arrangements are often continued, because some expense would be incurred in making them; although no kind of money expenditure would bring a more ample return in economy.