San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-08-26
THE WATERWORKS.

assumed the shape of an offer to the
people to obtain possession of it for
the sum of S2,000,0 600, payable in fifty
years at 5 per cent. interest, it has
become the all-absorbin talk among
a large number of interested citizens.
The stand that different people have
taken is very varied, and the follow
ing are a few of the opinions upon
this subject that the LIGHT Is able to
! give its readers.
Gustave Groos: II think that it
were best that the waterworks
| remain in the hands of the present
owners until the expiration of their
charter, for at that time the city could
obtain possession of them at better
| advantage
G. II. Hummel, Sr.: "Yes, ] am in
favor of the city purchasing the wa
terw0rks. No doubt it would be
good thing"
H. Praeger: THE waterworks are
very essential to the city, and favor
the purchase of them by all means.
The price, if the deal is
to include all of the land
mentioned, is not too high. Perhaps
the only objection, if any, would he
that the interest of percent is q
little high. / believe however, that
the city should embrace this oppor-
tunity and purchase the works."
DIR. Edward Bennett: 81 believe
that the conception of of the great
park, the beautiful drives that could
be built to them and the opportunity
10 enjoy them, is simply sublime.
The six hundred acres of land at the
head of the river with the natu-
raj springs, is park without a par
allel in the south. We have q few
little parks in the city and they
have improved its appearance great
deal. But such an immense natural
park, with a few good drives leading
to it, Is something that is grand; few
cities in the world have such fine
things. Then the question of water.
AS the city increases the public ex-
penses for water must in few years
amount to something enormous.
Therefore 1t would pay for the city to
own the waterworks. Then the sew
ers. Why the city is not complete,
without owning q waterworks sys-
tenn. Sooner or later the city must
own the water works. At present
she can purchase them for almost at
v.
10 the company will double and treble
and then the city will have to pay
at least 80 per cent. more for them.
If this city acquires the waterworks
by purchase she will possess the
finest waterworks system in the
SOUTH"
J.J. Lang: "The idea of this city
owning the waterworks Is good one.
AS to the price asked, L am unable TO
give MY opinion at present, being q
comparative stranger and not having
investigated the matter. However, /
am In favor of the city purchasing the
waterworks at any reasonable price"
r. r. Clarridge, editor Texas Stock
man and Farmer: II am in favor of
city ownership of the waterworks, but
if the city would be able to build a
system of her own tor less money, l
think it should be DONE"
o. c. Silverthorne, druggist: cit
would be good thing for the city to
have control of some system of water
works"
Albert Maverick, real estate broker:
II was at first opposed to the city
making the purchase, but after inves-
tigating the good that would result l
think that for 100000 we reap in
calculable benefit from the purchase
of the plant by the city"
DIR. VIM. =. Watson, of the New
England Land company: 81 believe
that the city should own the water
works, and from what information l
can gain, l have reason to believe that
50, O00, 900 is not an unreasonable price
to pay for what the company offers
the city"
George II. Hartwell, real estate
broker: l have always been in favor
of city ownership OF the waterworks
and don't believe that we can ever
have good system of sewers until
we do get control of Mr.. Bracken-
ridges plant. l will vote for the pro-
position.
T.. NJ. Winstead, railroad official: II
believe that the price asked by Mr..
Breckenridge to be very reasonable.
In making an effort to own the water
works, l believe that the city has
made very good move. City owner
ship will do away with certain mo-
nopolistic features of the present sys-
tenn"
George F. LupUon, railroad man: II
am in favor of the proposition. The
price is not eXorbitant, and the city
will do we'll to own the system. All
cities of the size of San Antonio own
theirs, and we should fall into line. 1t
is only question of time when the
city will be obliged to own it, and the
sooner the better, Tor in five years the
price asked will be treble the present.
figures"