San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-11-22
G. A. SHOWERS FURNITURE CO.,
No. 2o3 West Commerce ST., San Antonio Texas
The Waterworks Controversy.

From the "Freie Presse Fuer Texas, -
translated for the LIGHT.
The city administration has a
special grudge against the Water
works company and has declared
war against that corporation, in
the same manner in which it in
auguratcd the fight against the
San Antonio National bank, when
this institution demanded its
rights, in consequence of advances
made the city and subsquequent
claims on the revenues of the
city. In this later the city had to
allow the pirogatiOn of the bank
and it seems to us, that in as much
as a decrease of water rates has al
ready been granted without any
apparent refusal or delay, the city
will not gain anything in the con-
test.
The Waterworks company has
heretofore acceeded to all just de-
mands of the city and has of its
own accord advised changes in the
old contract with reference to
hydrants and the placing
of new ones at distant localities in
order to make saving to the city
revenues. And is now again will
ing to consider and allow all rea-
sonable demands in this cOnnec-
ton.
True, if we draw parallel or
compare San Antonio with small
er cities, where the fundamental
work will cost comparatively little,
like at Waco $4,000, which by force
of circumstances is furnishing
cheap water rates at this present
time, as one case out Of hundreds,
until one company will ruin the
other, force it to close up or sell
out. Taking such a status as a
criterian, then in such a case we
should be dissatisfied with the con-
tract between the WaterwOrks
company and the city. But such
exceptions cannot and should not
be considered a test case.
COincidental with the foregoing
we will mention the present freight
war of various railway lines, which
might be termed "War to
the knife" We enjoy at present
the lowest freight rates which
we have had for some time. Would
this justify an attempt to compel
other lines who are not in this
controversy to reduce and adopt
the same low rates as they exist
among rival lines? Would it be
sufficiently justifying to say: what
one can do, another can do also?
When every one can see that these
opposing lines are working with a
constant loss.
True, an ordinance is now before
the council to establish the water
rates in accordance with the new
ly revised and amended charter, in
which, according to Article |, sec.
IS, the citizens Of the incorporated
City of San Antonio shall have the
power to establish rates, prices and
conditions upon which water shall
Ike furnished to the inhabitants for
either public or private purposes.
The unfortunate part in this
case is the fact that this
important passage was not in the
charter, under which the contract
with the waterworks company was
made. This creates a question of
law: Had the city the right to
change or abolish and otherwise
completely kill its stipulations and
conditions as laid down in the
preceding charter? Should this
right be conceded then the city
might at any time abolish
or declare void any contract
by having change of the charter,
and suitable to existing conditions.
That this cannot be done can be
seen by even those not familiar
with the law on the subject.
a peaceable and friendly under
standing and adjustment in which