The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-04

The German Paper Discusses the Cedar
River Water rroposltion.

The Seattle Demokrat OF November q
contains an exhaustive discussion Of the
pros aud cons OF the Cedar river water
question. which Is well worth careful read
ing. The following ia a translation OF the
main part OF the article. after a brief state
ment of the proposition submitted to the
people:
There ear be no doubt that In a short
time the city viii abandon Lake Washing
ton az a source OF water supply, from san
itary and other reasons. There is Just as
little doubt that the city should be the sole
and unconditional owner OF It's water
works II Is another question, however.
whether the proposition of the city coun-
Gil lie practicable under present clrcum-
stances. and the answer 10 this question "a
worthy OF much care and elaboration. The
chief considerations may be summarized
as follows:
in the first place comes the question or
taxation. for II is self-evident that the
appropriation OF 20 per cent. Of the gross
receipts or the water works. which are
now applicable TO other necessary par
poses, must be made good. and this can
only be done ny taxation. As every citi-
zen k3ows, the burden Of taxation ls al
ready heavy enough, and arguments have
forced Themselves on cur notice aga!ns. any
present increase whose Justice cannot he
ignored.
cit q another question whether ;h- s.
cue OF warrants would he legal. since the
city debt has already reached the limit. Il.
IL claimed THAI the issue OF these warrants
Does NOS actually Involve an Increase 81
the city'a debt. and a recent decision OF
the state supreme court relating - the
city OF Spokane IS quoted as an argument
for this contention. Bat We may be pretty
sure t1At me ooEce e-ta OF the warrant is
ale Ala 80 as far a. the United States SUI
preme su4ef = get a final decision Of this
question. ana that wulld. cf course. make
she litigation last indefinitely.
These Arc the principal arguments which
VIII he urEed against the adoption % tho
ordnance. and me citizens viii consider
them before casiiag tae,r votes on Deem
her 70.
But in the handling OF tbs question an
other Eoighty factor comes NJ FOR con
sidera'ion. and that = tNe Seattle Power
Company. This IS the company which has
already taken al measures - secure fhe
Cedar river water for she building % va
ter works and f0- Industrial enterprises.
This company = obviously opposed 20 30
adoption % the ordinance. and has made
several propositions 10 the city. which
might seem scarcely acceptable. These
propositions nrovtAe that the ccwnarv viii
euIlt the water works. deliver the water
to the city at = stipulated price and rran.
TIE rght 20 purchase fhe plant wt.h.n a
fixed time Bot all cheese propositions con
tain the important proviso that she cam
Yary reserves the rteht - the remaining.
the so-cailed surplus. water. This clause q.
Important hecslye under itS conditions ;ae
city NaUtf never acquire fhe sole ana ar
eolute right 20 ire water works Tire SOM.
ysny NIL apply this SJrnlss water :e tna
generation % electric Hight ant power for
srdos,rtal enterprises. ana IRIS - ms al
vantage which the city shoul} uuGr- no
circumstance allow ~ pass nv Were
this clsuse omitted. an acceptable arrange
vzase NrfeA NmR s~a-4rmRv v-a~@s -. -a4ha