Telegram-herald., 1889-12-04

lng May /. le.Hs based Oh accom- lllsutc 4a~ta TO
date OF this report and close estimates Of The
Board OF Public Works for the remainder Of
the year. would read as follows;
Operating expenses ana maintenance $4,000
Interest one year 5000
Total s55o5O
Revenue from terrates.--....-.. $4,000
60J hydrants the average number
for the year. 50 each.............-.- 1900
Water In and around city hall.
for flushing sewers. and for
parks and fountains --...-.......... 1000
s65.000
The engine houses have water al half rates,
and the Board OF Public Works makes no
charge for water connections 10 the numerous
factories that have introduced patent auto
matte sprinkleTs for fire protection.
4 At the published rates OF the Hydrulic Com
/ pany. this item alone would add 5000 10 the
/ annual receipts of the works 1t will thus be
seen that the works are now practically self
sustaining. Notwithstanding the high rate Of
interest on $4,000 of water debt Four years
| hence that part of the debt will be refunded al
per cent. effecting an annual saving OF SIS
CO. and l.: is safe 10 say. that by that time there
will have been a considerable increase in the
| earnings.
| In this connection, and rs a matter that Will
| interest the council and citizens generally.
your committee will state that recent analy
SIS of the water furnished by the Hydraulic
| Company, and that now furnished by the city.
| shows them TO De So similar as 10 excite the
| surprise OF the chemists who performed the
experiments.
| Or. Kedzle. OF the Chemical Laboratory al
Lansing. saTs: These waters are so nearly
| identical In composition that there is little
choice between them for domestic use. The
| similarity is remarkable. and / have never
| seen a similar case"
Prof. Vaughan. of the University Labora-
| tory. in his analysis shows the same general
resemblance between the waters. and gives
| the preference 10 the Hydraulic Company
water for drinking purposes" owing 10 the
| greater number or germs in the city water. but
says: 1T must not be inferred that these
| germs are necessarily capable of producing
| disease in man"
| II is but fair to state that the present con-
| dition Of the ely water is very favorable.
| owing 10 the prOtracted low stage of water IN
| the river.
AS 10 the purchase of the plant Of the Hv-
draullc Company, it being one of the alterna-
tiyes presented by Mr.. Crow in his communi-
| cation TO the council. in which he offers TO
submit the question of terms TO arbitration.
your committee begs leave to report that
| earnest effort has been made TO ascertain
| what the company had 10 sell. but thus far
| without success 4 subcommittee. composed
| OF MeSsrs. HOuseman, Hollister and Rodgers.
waited on Mr. Crow for that purpose. bur
could only learn that he would submit the
| whole question 10 arbitration
| Arbitration" assumes and means that con
| tracing parties are unable 10 agree, hence the
| necessity for arbitration.
| II Mr.. Crow would tell your committee what
| he had to sell, how many miles OF mains laid
| and the sizes. how many customers he had.
how much water he had and the revenue de
rived from it, We would Dee in shape 90 make
an intelligent recommendation 20 the council
! on the subject. but as the proposals are now
| before Us, we can only say. that as matter OF
public policy. ana having in view a possible
double system Of water works for the city. we
would advise purchase Of the Hydraulic
| Company plant. II it can oe had for what 10 is
worth.
Briefly. then. our conclusions are;
! !. 1t is not advisable 10 sci. the water works
to ans one. on any basis get presented for ouT
! consideration.
p would probably be good policy 10 buy
| the plant of the Hydraulic Company u it could
/ be obta nd az its true value.
o. We are satisfied that We now control and
can furnish an abundant supply. uader good
\ pressure an over the present and future city
| of as good water rs " need. Tor from @ 90 s
| per cent. of all the uses 10 which water is .-
! Piled, leaving bat O. % per cent. 10 be 9th g.
wise provided il 10 sha, D. found necessary.
T. our present plant has not cost nearly as
much as tue average IF such works n tha
! country. and boz no event do we anticipate thar
| our bonded water debt need ever exceed ST.
! 5u0o which A. or4il per cent. would ra.i y
/ be controlled hy the revenues. VISA rr-