The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-27

Tacoma Taxpayers Opposed to
Water Job.
VALUATION INCLUDES SALARIES.
A Observers Pregnant ReAeetaens -
the Qasstisn-1hs 1lssivs Figures
81 Ns. Wfighvs xnginses.

TacoxA, Feb. 9.-rspecial. l-Taxpayen
resent the action Of the city council in
submitting to them . proposition to pur-
chase the light and water plant at 81, $780,
O0O. At this price the gas plant Is not
included. Indeed, Just what is included.
the council does not know. Collectively it
does not show any sigds Of caring to
know. It has submitted a proposition 70
the people to buy for s., 150. 900 - pig in .
poke"
For the 81, 75o, 900 the plant - IL stands
IL TO be had; the balance 10 to be used in
securing part Of . spring water gravity
supply, - the present Clover creek supply
has been condemned for drinking purposes
by popular verdict
A love of darkness, ~ shown at the meet
ing last night. predominates when the
water and light question IL being con-
sidered. People have been kept in ignor-
ance of the purport Of what 10 being done.
As result the council has come into dis
rspute. w. H. Fife. the heaviest indi-
vidual taxpayer IN the city, therefore says:
I'VE do not want anything at the hands
Of the present council. Nothing should
be done until We have . new administra-
ton"
Therefore it matters little whether the
council 10 upright. People, especially
heavy taxpayers. are not feeling secure.
Primarily, the reason why the water and
light should not BE- purchased ct the
present, to say nothing about the price
asked, il that the city's credit il in crying
demand for other purposes.
A gentleman who has been watching
this matter closely says:
The scheme TO unload the water and electric
light plant OF the Tacoma Light aud Water CON-
psny on this city. will not bear inspection or
discussion, but must be carried through. II done
at ali, under "ths simple plan" Of addition. d.
vision and silence" The people have not been
shown what the property il. nor what 1t 10
worth. No schedule has been published. The
proposition II large and indefinite, like tho old
Mexican grants OF Iaud which were bounded BY
mountain ranges and without specific limits or
descriptions
The ouly report which has besu submitted Il
that OF Rudolph Herring, N engineer sent out
from Philadelphia In the apparent interest Of
che seller rather than the purchaser. and this
was so general aud vague that it has proved to
b OF no value to the city. 1t does not show
what property the company has that would b
available, nor what IL 10 now worth. 1t credits
some Of the present works Of the company
which il says "ars subject to . deterioration and
will require eventual abandonment' with -
certain value - sources Of water power"
But this city has no right to 90 into the water
power business. II tho city should buy the old
dana which ''would have to b abandoned for
potable purposes" but twill retain q certain
value - power" - Mr. Herring Gays, and under.
tako 70 utilize them for power. IL would be- sub
jsct TO . restraining order from the courts, a.
lately happened In Texas city, because such Q
use would b ultra Vtres-beyond the power OF
the city government
This 10 one illustration OF the apparent pur-
pose OF d.. Hsring's report 70 give fictitious
value % the property. When he proposes to be
more spscinc, - In table No. 1. on water mains,
he 10 still very indefinite. He snumerases the
"plpss laid 20 January ], 1884," but does no,
state whether he includes the frst
pipes that were laid and have since been aban
doued because worn out or outgrown By the
city. The presumption however. 10 that ha
does include al the pipes that have been laid
NJ. Wright reckous mp In the capital cost OF the
sinco IL organisation. Il 10 like asking man
dssiring 70 buy . house what the old house
which once stood on the ground cost, in sddi.
ton 70 the value Of the one now standing
Again. Mr.. Herring puts down the pipe "to b
laid in 1892" but he does not state how much
has bssn actually laid. These are . few exam
pies OF the unsatisfactory nature OF this report
the only attempt to show the people what they
are asked to buy.
There was never An instance when the old
maxim. "Cdvoot esnpsor" (Lst the buyer beware
was moro applicable. It seems from the report
Of the committee TO investigate the Northern Pa
ctdc railroad that the buyer, and not the seller
Aae always ooon the suffering victim,