The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-27

Tacoma Manufacturers on the
Water Question.
facoma's Indebtedness and Limit - Ia
Water Plant Value Il $500. 900.

proposition on the backs of Taxpayers,
and as has been repeatedly stated in the
Posr-ISTELLroEvcER,i if those who are anx-
ious to sell will simply agree to expend
the 81, 10000 which they propose to get
for the plant, in this city. taxpayers. Is .
rule, will overlook the fact that they are
paying at least $3.50 900 more than the
same can be duplicated for. Col Pinker-
ton, one of tho oldest residents, hits OF
this point thus:
Perhaps it would b the most equitable man.
ner to subsidize the city, because when there 10
proposition to raise money for some purpose
beneficial to the city only . small proportion OF
the residents, and those who expect to bene-
1T, will contribute. By allowing the owners OF
the water plant to subsidixe US in this manner,
the burden of tax would fall equally all around.
don't you see There 10 no merit in the propo-
sition to buy the plant for the city, unless the
water people agree to expend the money paid
for II in this city.
But the question is not shall tho city
own its water plant; it is shall it buy at
this time. On this point P. A. Paulson,
manager of the Tacoma Lumber and
Manufacturing Company, which institu-
ton has one Of the largest pay rolls in the
city, says:
I am opposed to the proposition to buy the
water plant at this time. If I were a stranger
on the Sound and seeking Q location for q mill
site, should be prejudiced against city II
found upon investigation that it had bonded
Itself to its fullest extent for water purposes.
do not know just how much the purchase OF
the water plant would influence me toward
leaving this city. But in . general way know
II would render me uneasy. ! would rather
ply that we. a. city, would not put rival water
plant into competition for say i've years. rather
than purchase at this time. If the owners of
the water company will agree to expend
the al,75O.o00 paid for the plant in this city
within . reasonable time then the proposition
might be considered. The proposition to spend
the money here should be made In writing, so
that taxpayers may not have any reason to
doubt but that the same will be spent here. In
stead of bonding our city to the limit for water
purposes, We should spend some of the cash
available for sewers. which are needed fully a.
much % water In certain parts of the city. II
the limit is reached for water purposes, We can
not raise money for sewers.
Col. c. W. Griggs, at the head of the St.
Paul and Tacoma Lumber Company,
which has another large pay roll, is Of the
same opinion. He considers the water
company's plant worth $500. 900. w. H.
Fife. the largest individual taxpayer in
the city. said today that the water plant
should not be bought for at least five
years, if 1t is to be bought at all. Laying
aside the doubts entertained as to the
purity and the possible drying up of tho
springs, which it 10 proposed shall be
made the source Of supply. the opposition
OF those who do not want the city to own
| its water works at ell, the excessive price
| asked, and all other objections, the prin-
| cipal objection remains, viz:
That it is proposed to expend 81. 150, 900
on the water and electric light plants
when tho city can bond itself for only
| 8. 1853, 7O7 for water. light and sewers.
Tacoma needs over $4,000 worth of
sewers. II the purchase of the water
plant is delayed for a time these sewers
can be constructed. In some parts Of the
city outhouses arc overlooking and all
drainage runs on top of the ground. In
such districts cases of typhoid fever dur
ing the past two months have been nu-
mefOus.
While Seattle is preparing to bond for
$345, 900 worth Of sewer improvements. it is
| proposed to bond Tacoma for s., 7O7 less
than the limit Of indebtedness for water
plant and an electric light plant. In Sc
| attic the latter plant is to be had for $780,
900. City Comptroller Sam C. Slaughter
furnishes the following statement of Ia
| coma's financial condition.:
| Assessed valuation &43 .O74 l47 90
Limit OF indebtedness without con.
| sent of taxpayers by vote. ~ per
cent. on assessed valuation 49,. 646ll2 20
Limit of indebtedness for strictly
municipal purposes with assent of
voters, per cent. on valuation. 2l68,77 %
| Limit of Indebtedness for water, ar
tfcal light and sewers when
owned and controlled by the city,
B per cent Oh valuation....2 15S TOT 90
Indebtedness March 1. 1893
On bonds. $3.50. 900 %
On city hall. ............ 2)0,0O0 CO. $4,000 90
| On warrants outstand'g. b62, 69l so
Estimate for interest. 1900 90
I
! Iotal. $6t2,6gl 50
Less cash in general fund l03,54Y 20 49, l42 10
| Total present indebtedness 90. g l.Olo.l42 10
| Under the charter for strictly mu-
| nicipai purposes we can bond to
the amount OF ....................$ 2.1s3 7o7 90
! Present indebtedness. ...... lo49.i32 10
Available for municipal pur-
| poses. ......................3l .lo4 564 90