The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1891-12-11
WILL THEY AGREE
A FLAG OF TRUCE FLOATS IN
THE BREEZE.
lMPORTANTWATER MEETINGHELD
Representatives of the Old Water
Company Make a Proposition
to the Joint Committee.
To Meet Again.

The flag of truce floats at the trenches OF
the respective water works. Last night the
joint committee of councilmen and citi
zens met representatives of the old water
company in the council chamber and had a
talk over the situation.
Messrs. Charles Bowman, Elmer Wssley
and T r. B4ddall, Esq, were present in
behalf of the water company. Mr. Bow
man was the Spokesman and made the fol-
lowing proposition to the joint committee
1T the water company will satisfy the
Judgment recently recovered in the Potts
vile court for water supplied the borough
for fire purposes, and waive its claim to
ayment for water supplied the borough
for water purposes during the past two
years. and if the water company will pay
the costs of the recent suit and enter into
a written agreement to supply the borough
with water for FIRE purposes for ten years
or longer, will the borough enter into a
written agreement to abandon the existing
movement to establish public water works2"
The joint committee said the proposition
would be taken under advisement and
then asked the representatives of the water
company to ascertain from the stockholders
what they consider fair price for their
plant.
The water company is to meet the joint
committee again next Wednesday evening.
The proposition of the water company
practically means refunding to the bor-
ough of about $1,000 in water rent, besides
relieving the borough of several hundreds
of dollars costs, and at least So. coo water
rent for the future. The cash value of the
proposition to the borough if accepted,
will be at lesst $4,000.
A HERALD reporter to-day interviewed
Mr.. Bowman, who said, II am stock
holder in the water company but a very
small one. My interest is hardly worth
mentioning. In appearing before the
joint committee last night l acted, as l
thought, for the best interests of the people
in general. feel confident that the most
sensible and cheapest way for the present
agitation to be settled is for tho borough
and water company 10 make some amicable
arrangement whereby the company sha
continue to supply the borough with water,
or the borough shall take the plant off the
company's hands This is my honest CON
vction as d citizen of the town. A cLlzeu
said the other day 'Prssumhg TIE
borough invests one hundred thousand
dollars in new water works lit will cost
that amount, at leasD five per cent. on the
amount would be but s. 600. Now take
the expenses. Two engineers and two
fremen would be required tor the pumping
station, an extra superintendent would be-
needed, and other help required will max,
the salaries alone aggraga at least s. 0OO
The total expenses Will be at least $40 600
Now the new water company could no
expect more than half the customers in the
town, and su lpose the old company should
reduce the water rents (Which would be
natural) and the borough should compete
then the total revenue OF the borough
works would hardly me3t the expens. s.
To my mind, continued Mr.. Bowman
'the argument of the citizen presented
some facts for thought But, again, sup
pose a capitalist or manufacturer shouc
come into the town and ask What is tht
debt of your borough p With the exist
ing debt and the one that would be in
Cured by the estsb ishment of new ", rks
the answer would necessarily be-S150,0 600
A borough the size OF Shen 4ndoah sadd cd
with such debt c. uld hardly be expected
to favorably impress capitalists who nigh
seek admission. The figures would scare
off the most daring capitalists.
Shenandoah Is now being furnished
with water as cheap as any place in th,
state and the borough will not be able t.
furnish it any cheaper,
"Cjncerning the increase of debt foi
borough water works by special election
ten years ago, hardly think movement
now on that basis will hold water. This i
not pun" said Mr.. Bowman, with
smile. Fully one third of the citizen
who advocated and voted for the increas,
have either left the town, or are dead, anC
question il an election TO again incress
the debt would succeed. The new waite
works cannot be established for 1900 anC
public sentiment of to-day will not sustain
an election to increase the borough debt.
"There is still another point to be con
sidered. Suppose the new movement goe
ahead, bonds are issued, $500 is OK
pended, and after the fund is exhausted i
is discovered that the plant is only hal
finished. A special election will b.
necessary to increase the borough debt to
sum covering the cost for completing III,
work. Now suppose the people vot
against an incresse2 What will become o