The record-union., 1893-08-19
GOOD, OR BAD WATER /?
A River and a Well Advocate Dis
cuss the Subject.
Fair Sample of Some of the Debates
That Occur on the Streets
False Notions DIspe1led.

@~~~kD~~N~-
The following is as nearly an accurate
report of an actual conversation at the
corner of Fifth and J streets, yester-
day afternoon, as skilled reporter could
make. Fully twenty citizens stood by
and overheard it:
Questioner-Should not the element
water be as free as the other element, air !?
Answerer-Yes; but when men congre-
gate in cities they do not lind that ele-
ment at hand always.
Q.-Then the cities should own the
means of supplying it.
A.-That is true; but they are not al
ways able to do so.
Q.-Sacramento owns her own water
works?
Ayes; but the supply gives her bad
name, and her works are inadequate and
nearly worn out.
Q.-That is so but let us buy new
supply and new machinery and own 1t.
A.-Good. But have you the money Z
Q.-Can't we issue bonds?
A.-The law prohibits it. Our present
debt is up to the limit of 10 per cent. OF
the assessment roll.
Q.-You mean to say that we cannot
borrow money?
Al mean that-not red cent? Sac
S~@ 80
some years yet
Q.-Well, come to think, that is so. But
why take up this east side clear water
and sell out TO a stranger?
Ave don't sell out.
Q.-Yes we do; we give away our right
to supply ourselves with water.
A.-No, sir; not at all.
Q.-What is proposed, then?
A.-Why, TO buy our water for awhile
OF wells instead of rivers.
Ooh, that's the way you put it, is it !?
A.-That is the only way to put it.
Q.-What does it cost us now from the
river?
Ave pay engineers, officers. coal
and machines about forty-one cents per
1000 gallons.
Q.-What will we pay in the other
case2
A.-Thirty- cents for a certain
amount, and then 20 cents for all over
that.
Q.-That is cheaper.
A,-Well let us say as cheap.
Q.-But they will raise our rates?
A.-Who will?
Q.-This company that is to supply the
city.
A.-Who says so?
Ooh, lots of people.
A.-Then they falsify. The city makes
her rates. Can't you read There is no
company to have any control whatever
Read and see.
q. Is that in the contract?
A.-Vhere it is, as big as print can make
it.
Q.-But we have to buy the franchise in
twenty years?
A.-No such thing.
Q.-But we do!
A.-Well, we do not. Read for your
self.
Ooh, it we want it. 1 see-if we
want it.
A.-No, not even that-there is no
franchise at all.
Q.-Well, meant the pumps and
wells.
A.-But we don't have to take them I'M
less we wish to.
Q.-Is that so?
A.-Precisely.
Q.-Who fixes the price?
A.-Arbitrators, if you want to buy.
Q.-Then what is all this fuss about?
A.-Blessed if 1 know; someone has
been lying; that is all.
Q.-Then you mean to tell me-?
A.-Ihat we simply change the quality
of our water.
Q--And not the system?
A.-And not the system.
Q.-1nstead of pumping at the riyer9
Ave pump on the east: and instead
Q.-Of hiring engineers there. we hire
the pump company to do the work
yonder?
A.-That is it, to dot.
Q.-And we pay no more than now?
A.-No.
Q.-And fix our own rates?
A.-They won't be changed. Why
should they?
Q.-I don't know, only
A.-Only you've been misinformed.
Q.-Yes, but the city?
A.-Ought to own her own works, you
are going to say.
Q.-Yes.
. A.-But she can't build nor borrow, and
SO the scheme is to buy water till she is
able to own works.
Q.-But if the thing fails?
A.-Then light the fires down at the
Holly and return to the river supply.
Q.-Then we will be no worse of?
A.-Not a bit.
Q.-And won't have spent cent mean
while2
A.-You are getting clear, if the water
is not.
Dwell, about that water main?
A-Ah! Well, the contract requires the
Worthington pump man, Fish, to put in
a big steel or iron main from Thirty-fr
to Front street.
Q.-Who pays for it2
A.-The contractor.
Q.-And we buy it later on?
A.-That's it.
Q.-How?
A.-By arbitration.
$50 there is no taxation in all this
now?
A.-Not cent.
Q.-And no increase of water rates?
A.-Not unless you make them your
self Fish can't do 1t.
Q.-But where does he get off?
A.-Wby, in the sale of water to grow
ing city for twenty years.
Ole makes it off US?
A.-Who makes it now?
Owe do.
A.-No.
Q.-Who does?
A.-Why, the river, and the cost of
pumping.
=, Q.-Wiu they be Holly pumps out
A.-No; Worthington-same as at Port