Morning journal and courier., 1881-05-07
The waterworks.

Shall They Be Purchased by the City e- Intelligent Opinions on Both Sides by Prominent C1tizens-An Extended
 Hearing and Others to Follow.
 The special subcommittee on water held their first meeting in room 10 City Hall last evening to consider the question as regards | the purchase by the city of the rights and | franchises of the New Haven Water compa- ny, in accordance with provision of their charter which gives the city the right to make such purchase at any time within twen- | ty years. The limit of time when the con- tract expires is February next, and the last Legislature gave the city power to arrange the plan of purchase if they so desired. l Alderman Driscoll presided last evening, and after the minutes of the previous meet | ing were read he said This meeting has been called to ascertain the views of citizens regarding the purchase of the Waterworks from the present company and have them run on behalf of the city instead of private | corporation.
 The act as passed by the General Assem- ply giving the company power to sell and the city power to buy said waterworks of the New Haven Water company was read. In connection with this statement the char | ter in reference to the Water company was read by Secretary Twiss, which provided for the purchase and explained how the same | should be made. He said when the present company bought out the Fair Haven Water company it was provided that notice might be served on the old company that the city should lose none of it's rights in this purchase, which was done.
 1 s. E. Baldwin was the first to give his views on this subject. He said that in 1852 l the Common Council passed an order appoint 1 ing a committee to consider the best method of extinguishing fires. This committee employed engineers and they investigated the matter. The committee reported in favor l of better supply of water and in favor of it's being owned by the city, and gave their l reasons therefor. They were of the opin- ion that such an enterprise should not go out of the control of the city, and they were also of the opinion that if the waterworks l were built by a company they should ulti- mately be owned by the city. In 1853 it was voted that the city should construct the ! works and the charter was obtained. Then a city meeting was called, and after arrange ments had been made for the purchase it was so strongly opposed that it was voted down and lawsuits followed. The Professor ! thought if the books should be opened on the same plan that is proposed to purchase this Water company, they would be pur- chased at once as an investment. They are not to be purchased at what they are worth, but at what they cost. The Water company own all the water sources within twenty miles of this city. Now the question is whether l those who use the water shall be controlled by private corporation or whether they shall be controlled by the city. I think the argument is in favor of the city owning them. although there may be $6O,Oo or $7o, 900 in. terest to pay on the investment. Unless we l avail ourselves of this option to buy at the honest cost we must, after next February pay what the company consider it worth, say $3, 100000. Every view of policy, so far as | the city is concerned, would seem to demand that the purchase should be made now. N. D. Sperry said he had no doubt but that the Water company could be worked cheaper ! by the city than by individuals. Yet unless l the purchase was made. before February next, while larger rates could be asked, stil
 he had no doubt but that the present man
 agement would be fair after the time named
 in case the city desired to purchase. Per
 haps the company would consent to an ex I tension of the contract and if SC it would be desirable Yet if the committee were fully determined that now l was the best time to purchase, very well
 Yet if the city can get the option referred to- 1t would prevent any oppression on the part
 of the company.
 Professor Brewer said as he understood ! this matter, this contract expires next Feb
 ruarY, and the contract entered into between f the city and Water company had been 8 con tinual check on water rates. If there are to be no such checks and the city is to be tied UT
 for all future time, then the city should me ke the purchase.
 James G. English said he had supposed
 that this committee had some figures to pre- l sent. but he had found this not to be the case
 He had had it in his mind that if the Water company could be bought out for $1.6OO, OOC it would not be bad investment. He would however, like some figures and sdesired tc know what 1t cost the Water company fol running expenses.
 N. D. Sperry read from the contract tc l show that there provision for the re newal of the contract, which he thought would remove all difficulties in this respect.
 Mr. Twiss said that this agreement spoker of by Mir. Sperry was only in regard to furn. ishing water to the city in its corporate ca pacity.
 1 pr. S. G. Hubbard said this was a matter that interested every taxpayer. He thought the Legislature could not be induced to alter the terms of this contract. He thought ii was better for the city to buy these water. works than to run the risk of perpetual ex- tension. If the company should be con- tinued under it's present able management it would be one thing. but we do not know how long the present management will con I tinue.
 Eli Whitney said it might be 8 good thing ! Hoc ell boi1. h,,K whether it would be good thing for the city to purchase the same question. The company composed of gentlemen who were inclined to deal fairly with the city, and it was a question whether the city could af- ford to go to the expense of extending the works and pipes which must soon follow He had no doubt but that the water could be more economically administered by 8 company than by the city. He thought there was no doubt but that the company | would be willing to extend the present con- tract, although he only spoke for himself and not for the other directors or stockholders of | the company.
 l Professor Baldwin said he supposed this l contract between the city and the Water con- 1 pany was in the form of lease. If the city and company could not agree then they could l go to judge of the Superior Court who has power to adjust the contract, but has no power to extend the time of purchase by the l city.
 Solomon Mead thought the public would be better served if the city owned the works, 1 and the only objection he could see was that it might not be run as economically as at present.
 1 B. Moves said that the apprehension ex- | pressed by some of the gentlemen was with | out foundation. He thought the views ex- pressed by Mir. Whitney were eminently con- servative and proper. While the water con- pany IS in the hands of the present manage ment it is folly to say that they will not deal fairly with the city, and it is folly to say that the Legislature will not protect the city from any imposition imposed upon them by this company. This question, if pursued, will be a most important one. We should as- certain first what the water company has got to sell before we talk abont pnrchas- | ing. He would prefer that the Water company should continue their experiments and con tinue to hold their franchises. It was not worth while for city to go into too much business and multiply offices, for we have too many already. If this matter is to be per sisted in we should have data on which to form judgments. So far as he knew the public were being well served by the present company and he saw no necessity of change. IeGl 1. .