Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-10-16

more fully than they would in open meet
ings, because in nearly every instance things
were exaggerated TO some extent where it
went from one 10 another, and the dark
side, where any exists, in most cases are
those discussed and magnified. ''Now we
have an income,'' said MIR. Armstrong, ''of
say 100000 from taxation. Our expenses
should come within $l50000 q year. If we
do what is laid out in the improvement line
inside of seven or eight years 1 think we
will be doing remarkably well. By this
We will have some improvement or
but the work will be gradual. AL the
members Of the council are awake to the
fact that we must curtail expenses-we've
got to get into position to quit using scrip;
we are losing money by it. Until we do
curtail expenses, and get our expenditures
within our income, we are booked for IN
told annoyances. I disagree with many,
however, that we are in an alarming posi-
ton financially, though such position could
be got into.o
Alderman Fl. +. Early, next seen, did not
care to touch upon the financial condition of
the city until the finance committee shall
have made its report next Friday night. Il
am fully decided on these points, however"
said Nh Early "a great many state
ments are being made in advance of this
report that are misleading and erroneous.
As to improvements, I favor waterworks
improvement for domestic purposes
and fire protection for the entire
city, now and its prospective growth
for the next few years. l am, too, in favor
of crrtailing the the expenses of the city in
every way possible, but not in favor of dis
charging city employees whose services are
necessary in conducting the business of the
government In reference to waterworks.
many sta1ements in circulation are mis-
leading. There will not be 4 tax levied.
The discussion of the propriety Of the pro-
posed improvements in our waterwori,s
cannot be confined to taxpayers,
either, from the fact that some
of the records show that some of ourlargest
taxpayers are not water consumers. While
they have the advantage of water and sew
erage, the expense price of the same is paid
by the tenant, hence the consumers Of water
are the people to be consulted in this matter.
The citizens now pay at the rate of 80 per
1000 gallons for artesian water, while
the highest price known to the waterworks
is ~ cents per 1000 gallons. For example, l
give you one Of our average consumers.
4 house with four rooms and fifty feet OF
lawn. the water charges by the waterworkS
is as follows: Domestic purposes, S6 per
annum: lawn sprinkling, $40 per annum-a
total of SIG 10 the city for water. The
same consumer pays, mind you, for artesian
water from wagons from Sl2 TO SIS per an
being adapted for all domestic purposes.
Hence you can readily see that
in an investment of SIG i'll
city waterworks the consumer is
charged an additional tariff of from s12 to
SIS per anuum more than should have been
paid from the fact that the Sc heretofore re-
ferred to for domestic purposes is TIE rate,
and no higher rate could be charged if arte-
sian water was flowing through Cur mains.
That we are SO situated as to be assured of
an abundant supply of artesian water for
all purposes there can be no question.
l came to this conclusion in 1885 after an
extended tour over the country on water
works investigation, and in my annual re-
port in the spring of 'S3 so stated, but the
council were unable to do anything from
the fact that the charter did not provide
for the issuance of mortgage bonds to carry
out the work.
'sThat the waterworks are now q paying
institution it is only necessary to examine
the record to convince one of the fact, and
take it that it is the first and highest duty
of the municipal government to furnish to
its citizens wholesome water, one of the
necessaries of life, the charge to the citi-
zens to be as near as possible at what it
costs to procure it. So far as it was the
councils intention of spending 81, 900, 900 for
the waterworks. at this time, why the
runor is absolutely false. Citizens wish
ing to find out the true status of the affair
need only to go to those in charge of the de-
partnent to learn the untruth Of such mis-
leading statements as prevail. The
advertisement inserted some days since in
tended merely to place the council in por-
session Of data as to prices, etc-the coun-
ell never contemplated spending 81, 00O, 900
on anything, nor the half of it.''
Alderman Orr was next seen. 81 do not
care to say anything upon the subject"
Alderman Jones being approached, said:
Gas am member of the finance commit
tee, know there is no occasion for alarm
or all this talk. A great many people are
talking who rare not posted upon the Ques-
lions they are discussing and make some
very wild statements. Now one of the
leaders of the recent citizens meeting
was in my store to-day and in an
excited manner made the declaration
that it we, the people, can't control the
council In one way we will in another
Now, three years ago l was given the credit
Of being tho only 'mossback' in the council;
was an old fogy;' the moss on my back
was too long, etc. Well, it is funny to me
now that am too progressive.' I favor
city improvements, and have at all times
that Is. needed improvements. / do not be-
heve In reckless expenditure Of the peoples
money any more than l do my own. and no
one can accuse me Of this. AS stated be-
fore, think the city is in pretty fair shape,
perhaps little hard up, but where is there
q city in Texas to-day that is not9 The
present council is certainly con-
Sentative body, is not going to
spend the. city's money reckless