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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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This day in history: Septic tanks polluting aquifer in Spokane Valley, Army Corps warned. More were dying in car crashes

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recommended the construction of a sewage system and treatment plant in the Spokane Valley, The Spokesman-Review reported on Dec. 30, 1975. After many years of expanding sewers lines in Spokane Valley and surrounding areas, Spokane County opened the Spokane County Regional Wager Reclamation Facility in 2011 within Spokane city limits, though it largely serves the Valley. The newspaper also reported that Washington U.S. Sen. Henry Jackson introduced a bill to restrict court-ordered busing. (Spokesman-Review archives)
By Jim Kershner The Spokesman-Review

From 1975: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers strongly recommended the construction of a sewage system and treatment plant in the Spokane Valley.

The reason?

More than 80,000 septic tanks were in use in suburban Spokane, and “pollution from septic tanks in the Valley is seeping into the underground aquifer in ’significant quantities,’” said the Corps’ report.

It was resulting in a “risk to public health of unknown severity.”

The report suggested that a treatment plant be built in the vicinity of Felts Field.

The Washington Legislature overrode Gov. Roland Hartley's veto of a bill to fund a new auditorium in Spokane, the Spokane Daily Chronicle reported on Dec. 30, 1925. The newspaper also reported that 20 Spokane police officers offered to donate blood to the Rev. C.A. Rexroad, who was helping lead a recall effort against Spokane's Commissioner of Public Safety Charles Hedges. Rexroad was at Deaconess Hospital suffering from stomach hemorrhages. Hedges praised the officers' offer. (Spokesman-Review archives)
The Washington Legislature overrode Gov. Roland Hartley’s veto of a bill to fund a new auditorium in Spokane, the Spokane Daily Chronicle reported on Dec. 30, 1925. The newspaper also reported that 20 Spokane police officers offered to donate blood to the Rev. C.A. Rexroad, who was helping lead a recall effort against Spokane’s Commissioner of Public Safety Charles Hedges. Rexroad was at Deaconess Hospital suffering from stomach hemorrhages. Hedges praised the officers’ offer. (Spokesman-Review archives)

From 1925: The drive to build a new civic auditorium in Spokane got a boost when the Washington State Legislature overrode Gov. Roland Hartley’s veto of the auditorium bill.

“Sentiment in the city is becoming stronger in favor of an auditorium in a good business location,” said the chairman of Spokane’s auditorium committee.

In other news, the proliferation of autos in recent years had predictable results. Spokane’s traffic fatality rate jumped to 11 in 1925, an increase of three from 1924.

In addition, 28 pedestrians were struck by autos in Spokane in 1925.

Also on this day

(From onthisday.com)

1941: In an emotional speech to the Canadian Parliament, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill states Britain will never surrender to “Hitler and his Nazi gang” and that “they have asked for total war. Let us make sure they get it.”

1963: US. Congress authorizes Kennedy half dollar, in honor of President John F. Kennedy who was assassinated Nov. 22, 1963.