Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-06-14
CITY NEWS.
4 New Water Company in
the Field.
EN- ROUTE FOB NEBRASKA.
MIR. VictOr's Statement-The Board
of Health Holds Special
Meeting.
CITY NEWS.
EN- ROUTE FOR NEBRASKA.

There is a movement of huge proper
tions in this city and will be manifested
in few days when new water company
will apply to the Council for franchise
to lay pipes in the streets Of the city. 1t
appears that this project has beeen on
foot quietly for some time past, and that
it has secured the backing OF some of the
foremost and most energetic men OF the
city and country, who intend to push it
through, and be in position to supply
the people with water at the lowest pos
sible rates. The means to accomplish
this are not wanting, and with these and
enrgy it is probable that the scheme will
be carried through to successful result.
A HERALD reporter met one of the gen.
tlemen connected with the matter just
before ne departed for the North on last
evenings train, and he confirmed the
truth of the report. He said that the
matter had gained such headway now
that within a short time the franchise
would be applied for and the work would
commence. He said that the proposition
was to place the city in such a position
that it would not be dependent upon a
corporation for its water supply, and to
furnish water to the people at the lowest
possible rates. The company would be
organized first to put the city in
such position that it would
not be obliged to purchase the
plant OF the present water company; ;
second, to furnish an abundant supply
of the purest water available at the low
est prices. Third, to guarantee to the
people wholesome water without regard
to the dividends, which are the main
objects of private corporations. He
held that it is the first duty of the pres
ent Council to produce way for this to
be done, without regard to the interests
OF corporations, to see that an ample
supply of water is given, for the purpose
OF conducting the system; and second,
to see that the people were not depen-
dent upon one system for their supply.
By this means it will be possible to give
them water at cheap rates. In
all the cities OF Europe, Canada,
and the majority of the cities
of the United States, the water supply is
in the hands of the municipalities, and it
is furnished, not to secure revenue, but is
used for the public good. There is no
reason why the prices here might not be
made as reasonable as in those cities.
1t is stated that the water company
now supplying the city with water has
the privilege of using ten inches of the
water OF the river for supplying the city
| with water, and that the city may pur-
chase the plant of the company at any
time before the year 1889. For the priv
ilege of using the water the company
pays to the city funds $500, but it is
claimed that the company is tax
ing more than it's ten inches from
probably contest the right of the com.
pany to the use OF the water, and will
urge that the company has q
right to do as it pleases with
it, Notwithstanding past legislation
on the subject. 1t is claimed that as the
interests of the people should be of para
mount importance to the legislative body
OF this city, it should aid in every man
ner the establishment of the new system !;
that at the end of ten years the city may
not be in a position to purchase the plant
OF the present water company, and that
the franchise, when applied for,
should be granted so as to
preclude the possibility OF the citizens
being at the mercy of one corporation. 1t
is stated that some proposition will be
made whereby the plant of the new COM
pany will be turned over to the city, free
of cost, at the end of certain number OF
years, and that it will be constructed in
the best possible manner. These facts
will probably be brought out in detail in
the course of short time, but it appears
certain that the movement to establish
the new company is backed by men with
plenty Of means and energy, and men
who mean business.