The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-08-02
The Water Works.

Inc water Works.
For a month or two, an examination into
the value of the Water-works has been pro
crossing, under the charge of a committee
OF experts, chosen by the city, on the one
part, and the company on the other. Ac-
cording to legislative provision in charter
ing the company, the city, in choosing such
experts and submitting the question for
their examination, is bound by their award.
Ihere Is no escaping compliance with their
decision, if honestly given, for the State
legislation on the point is positive. The
award fixes, as a fair valuation, the price
OF two millions of dollars, to be given bv
the city for all the property of the COM
pany, except the Office, on Dryades street.
This award met with little favor on the
part of some of the city authorities, ON the
ground that, at the ruling rate of the stock.
as quoted in the market, all the shares
could be purchased for about one million OF
dollars. The question before the experts.
however, was not to ascertain what the
stock was worth ms a commercial venture.
in view of profits to be realized, but what
the material of the company was worth in
it's actual value and in the labor repre-
sented in its present condition. They re-
port that the pipes under ground are in an
excellent state of preservation, and, at their
past rate of oxidation, should last some
seventy years longer.
AT any rate, whether their estimate be
correct or not, the Council could see no
way Of escaping from the obligation created
by their award, and have authorized the
Mayor to take possession of the property
which had already been rendered by the
company. At the same time, he was d.
rected to appoint committee of seven
citizens, with one superintendent, to con-
duct the working of the property until the
Council should take further and more per
manent action on the subject.
The first question that will present itself
in settling upon permanent mode of con-
trolling these works is, whether they ought
to be carried on by the municipal govern
ment through it's immediate employees, or
farmed out to the highest bidder and con
Quoted by private enterprise.
Considering the fixed policy of the city,
suggested and confirmed by reason and
experience, to favor the contract system.
wherever practicable, in preference to di-
rect municipal control, and remembering
tue storm OF indignation that has followed
the violation of that policy, in the recent
proceedings of Mr.. Baker, late Street Com
missioner, we should suppose and hope
that there can be but little contest over
the matter.
If you want the duties carelessly per-
formed, economy laughed at, collections
neglected, the, whole thing made source
OF private annoyance and public expense. y,
instead of comfort to the citizen and profit
to the city, then create a nest Of officers to
neglect their duty, on the ground that they
will make as much by doing nothing as by
diligence and energy. If the use of the
works is farmed out by the year, their con-
troll upon principles of economy, accommo-
dalton and efficiency becomes matter of
private enterprise and private interest.
The public will be far better served, the
managers of the works will earn their in
come, and the city will receive into her
whatever amount of profits the
property can fairly yield.
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