Great Falls weekly tribune., 1895-08-02

AAOAcno ud6 Uoou lu0 llT6L MOuLduA
city to declare that the water supply
system should be owned and controlled
by the municipality. Under the new
law an election was held in Helena yes
terday to determine the question. Only
taxpayers were permitted to vote, and
while there were fraction less than 500
who registered and availed themselves
OF the opportunity, the poll showed that
there was in that small number ma.
]ority OF 34O in favor of city ownership.
The subject has been fully discussed in
the press and at public meetings in that
city and the consensus of opinion is evil
denced by the vote.
In the decision thus reached the one
important point is that the residents of
Helena intend to own their own water
supply, but they are yet confronted with
a difficult problem. The matter now to
be determined is whether the existing
plant, which belongs to a corporation,
shall be purchased, or whether an entire
new one shall be constructed. The late
Legislature enacted a law upon the sub
iect, which in substance provides that
in any city where a private company
owns franchise and has a plant, the
city. II 1t desires to run its own plant,
must purchase that of the existing
company, if it can be secured
at fair price. If in the judgment of
the city the plant can not be obtained
at fair price it has the right to secure
1T by condemnation proceedings But
whether it be matter of barter or con-
demnation tho existing plant must be
purchased 1t ls of course a question
whether this is good law should it come
to test, but AS question of equity ard
good morals there is no doubt but what
there is much to be said in favor Of the
company that happens to own the plant
and that will necessarily be crowded OUT
and ruined in the event OF the city es
tablishing new works.
The law seems reasonable one. Pri
vate capital IN good faith invested itf
money in the construction of water
works. 1t took its chances and fur
nished the people what they needed
when the people we're not willing or able
to supply themselves. AS a matter O
common honesty now that the people
feel that they are able they should pur
chase the plant and pay an honorable
price for it. In deal of this kind i
will not be right to put appraisers on tn,
ground and value the investment at tn,
actual cost and then perhaps make
deduction for the wear and tear.
The only fair way to estimate a plan
of that kind is on its earning capacity
1t was a venture when originated. if i
has proven apaying one and the investor
are entitled to a fair reward Had /
been failure they would have eus
tanned all the loss, II it has been sue
cess they, under all rules of right ant
decency, are entitled to a compensation
that fairly and honestly represents thei
earnings, These suggestions are not of
fered to Helena especially, but are iu
tended to have a general application
and may, in short time, be brough
home to US in Great Falls. In Helen
the source e supply may not be jus
what is desirable, but it Wi
not be contended that the city is no
properly piped and supplied with fir
hydrants aud other appliances. Thi
being the case, it would look reaeonabl
to have the city of Helena purchas
what there is at Il fair price, and then
necessary arrange for more euitabl
source of supply, That, however,
IIelena's business. When Great Fai!
concludes to take charge Of its ow
water auppIy, which The TRIBUNE hope
sill be at no distant day, we viii have
word or two to say upon the ST hiect.