The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-08-13
water for the city.
Editor of the HERALD:

To the Editor Of the HERALD:
This question should be settled solely with
view to the city's interest, and it seems
not only to myself, but to very large num-
Der of persons who have considered the mat
,er, that at this time it would BIO unwise for
the city either 10 buy or build wster works.
As TO the value of the proposed works, l
lave no definite des; but as TO the propriesy
of building new works, have very de-
cided opinion that it would not be to the
interest of the city to do it..
If such works as are estimated
will cost $4,000, the interest thereon would
be at least $500. The expense of repairs
end running the works would not be less
than $780, thus making $4,000 expenses
every year, Now if the city bonds are to
run for thirty years, there would have to be
an additional tax lavied to raise sinking
fund. So Tor thirty years, the yearly tax to
DO levied to meet this debt, would not
amount to less than $4,000. Now for the
city's receipts from her works. IL could
not hope to secure more than one half
of the present company's consumers which
wouldgreturn revenue Excluding water for
plugs, etc say $500. Add 10 this what
city would otherwise have to pay for its
water, say So 900, this would make 10000
which the city would receive and save by
owning its own works, and thus leave 1T IN
debt Of the end Of each year $4,000. This
estimate is on the receipts,and expenses OF the
present company, and 1t is well known that
private company always pushes its business
with as much energy, and exercises rs much
economy and sound judgmentin the manage
ment of its business as does municipal corr
poraiion, whose managers are changed from
\ year 10 year.
~ If there we're no private water works In
operation here, the question would be
wholly different. In that event. it might for
some reason BIO advisable for the city to
own It's own works; as it would have nothing
to lose by competition with another com
Y pany, aud while do not know, | think II
probable, that in these places where cities
Town thoir own works there are no private
works and have no competition, and such
cities may derive some revenue from water
works
What then should the city do2 1t SCENT
to me that it should ask the Water Supply
! company to modify its rent proposition 81
as to include water for flushing the streets
4 once or oftener week, and tho other pur'
poses mentioned in its proposition. This
the Company would perhaps do for The
price named by it--say So, 400 for 30 plug
and S40,for every additional plug; or i
should charge one or two hundred dollar
more for this additional service. Sail, sucf
an arrangement would, in my judgement, b
infinitely better for ten years 10 come thar
that OF laying an additional burden o
Sl25.000 on this people, already groaninl
under the losd Of taxation, which woult
grow heavier from year to year, in order t
meet the deficits resulting from the cit,
operating Its own works.
Nor would favor the city buying TIL
present works at the price asked, unless
was shown that they are really worth tha
much and could not DO built for less, ant
believe that the best interests OF tho Cit
would no promoted BY making such rem
contract as above suggested. The truth
taIe5 are already as high rs we can vel
stand, and nothing but an imperative publ
necessity would justify the imposition of I'D
diiional burdens.
The above are not only my vews, bu
those oil many Of our best people, who 'hev
given this subject their most serious thought
And II Is TO be hoped that our mayor an,
aldermen, all of whom are thorough bushes
men, and honestly striving TO subsorvo III
best interests Of the city, will at once opel
negotiations with tho water company lookinl