The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-08-20
70 rHE rAx-pAYpRs or AsroRIA

On the suggestion of the city's attor-
neys, Messrs. John H. Smith and Full
ton Brothers, the common council has
called an election Of the tax payers
to be held Tuesday, 4he 2lst inst, for
the purpose of authorizing the city to
demnation of the necessary rlght-of-
way to lay pipe line to Bear Creek,
that the city may have better supply
Of water.
From several routes surveyed, Mr.
A. L. Adams, the hydraulic engineer
employed by the commission, has with
their approval, selected a different
route than is followed by the present
pipe line, consequently rights-of-way
must be obtained before the pipe line
can be laid.
Many of the owners Of lands over
which the new line runs have granted
the right-of-way at almost nominal fig
ures; others ask more than the COM
commission think is fair for the water
consumers of the city to pay, and all
who are acquainted with land values
pronounce their claims entirely beyond
reason.
The commission may be mistaken as
to these values, therefore they desire
to leave the question of valuation to
the courts to determine.
One suit has been instituted and
judgment rendered for condemnation
at a less sum than was asked; other
suits can be brought without" the
vote of the taxpayers on the 21st inst,
but the attorneys" have advised this
action Of the Taxpayers and the author
tiles are acting accordingly.
A pretty fair road will have
to be opened along the line, in
order to haul the pipe, and to
travel over afterward in maintaining
1t. A well-graded road has been con-
structed along fortlands new water
pipe line, and from this, the idea oc-
Cured that a public road might be laid
along this line, and kept in repair by
the city or by the city and county COM
bined.
The owners Of the property between
the city and Bear Creek were asked for
deeds to strip Of land sixty feet wide
with permission to the city to lay a
pipe. and If 1t choose, maintain a high
way. So much was asked for the right
of-way on this basis, that the width
was reduced to thirty-three (39 feet,
still the price asked in most cases
seems excessive.
In condemnation proceedings in the
courts the city can obtain NO right to
open or maintain a public road" only
the right to lay and maintain the pipe
line.
With the exception of two small
tracts the pipeline does not run
through a foot of improved land. In
In fact, without water. of road, the
land is absolutely worthless now, and
never would have value.
1t is impossible for new works to be
put in this winter. but right-of-way
can be determined upon by the courts
IL that should be found necessary, and
the line cleared during the winter, for
active work next spring. If right
of-way is not secured this fall or WIN
ter next summer may be consumed in
the effort to obtain right-of-way and
building be again postponed anotherI
year.
Neither the present commission norI
the city council or a new board of
commissioners can build new water
works until the right-of-way shall be
determined.
While the Taxpayers are the ones
who do the voting on this subject, il
Is the water consumers" and not the
taxpayers who pay the bonds" and
the expenses of the water department.
New works can only be built by monies
obtained from the sale of bonds, and
these bonds. together with the interest
must be met by the water consumers.
and not by the taxpayers, as many
are led to believe.
The question has often been asked:
Why the work has not been pushed
faster; to this question we can only
answer, Because we have never felt
Justified In assuming the responsibility
OF purchasing these rlghts-of-way at ex-
orbitant figures asked. and without a
right-of-way no water-works can be
built. Respectfully.
w. w. PARKER.
SAMUEL ELMoRE,
c. S. WRIGHT.
J. Q. A BOwLBY.
H. G. VAN DUSEN,
Members of the Water Commission.
Astoria, Oregon. August Is, 1891.