The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-11-29


Most Perfect Made.
10 Years the Standard.
ing ultimately the water supply Of this
citv We have done all things. with the
exception OF taking up the water rights
under the United States laws. We were
unable % do that because Of the constant
expenditure necessary under those laws,
believing that we would be able 70 assert
our rights whenever the actual need -
ide water for municipal purposes was
shown.
Additional Taxes Syould Result
The pledge Of - per cent. Of the reve-
nues 10 the fund, which. once diverted,
could never BE- used by The city except for
the payment OF the warrants. principal
and interest. FOR the Cedar river system,
would leave us such a small margin with
which 20 operate the mains and 70 con-
form our present plant - the additional
needs and requirements Of the city that
We would have 70 take money from other
funds long before the payment Of the war
rants could be made hy = per cent. OF the
revenue, 70 meet the obligations Of the city
for operating mains. new construction,
etc. thereby increasing the general tax by
the amount OF the deficit in the p per
cent. allowed for operation Of mains. The
burden would fall upon the water consum-
er directly. That is 70 say. his water rates
would never ne any less than they are now.
and there could be any rate Of increase
that the councils Of the future might see
1T 70 make Indirectly II would come upon
the general taxpayer. who might be both
the water consumer and the land owner.
II would be a burden too great for either
the water consumer or the taxpayer 10 as
sumo al the present time or in the imme-
date future. ~ the general taxpayer
al all sfa
the present debt and the water consumer
would have an additional burden, all out
Of proportion TO what he would have TO
bear FOR like service in any city with the
population Of Seattle. The burden would
he too great per capita for the city 10 as
sumo the additional burden Of the Cedar
river water supply system at the present
time
No ECONOMY In City's Plan
mo harm could be done to the city by
the company now there. as we have equi-
ties in that part Of the country. and when
We actually require il for municipal pur-
poses We viii. in my opinion, be able 20 get
il at less expense than at present There
is this 10 say also IF you will figure the
interest on the warrants from the time
the first warrant begins 10 bear interest
until the city is expected To complete the
payments out Of the - per cent. Of the
revenues | think YOU will find il viii he
far greater economy TO pay a large sum
outright, when We have the means TO do
So derived from the revenues Of the pres
ent plant. than u take on this large obi
CATION at the present time. Furthermore.
this company will need 4 great many priVi-
leges from the city long before the time
We VIII need to disturb it. which may
be an offset 20 any cost that the Cedar
river water system may he 10 ms when
We actually need Il and have the money
a mas mr. | N n
p8ny being greater than the city Of Seat
tie. and believe future councils VIII be
able % SO adj Just matters as 10 protect the
city and not hamper any legitimate enter
prise that may want 10 use the supply for
other purposes az the present time"
The following communications have
been sent 10 the Post-Intel!igencer hy citi-
zcns OF high standing and contain
thoughtful analysis Of the conditions:
Seattle. Nov. -. 1895
To the Editor. ] have been following
the discussion Of tho Cedar river water
proposition with a great deal Of interest
and begin TO think that the main question
al issue is goins to be lost sight Of in the
mass of figures and Hood of vcrhiage
thrown on the subject / believe that if
each taxpayer would ask himself the fol-
lowing questions. answer them honestly
and free from prejudice for or against
the proposition. and then vote in accord
ance with his Judgment thus formed. he
viii come nearer voting right than by AT
tempting 20 master all the articles and
figures that have been filling the papers
lately:
First-Is not our present water supply
amply sufficient for tho needs of the pres
cnt population
Seconds my family apparently suffer
ing any in effects from using same2 And
i'm this connection would say that Seattle
Is rated the second healthiest city I'm the
United states Salt Lake. II / am not mis-
Informed. being first
Thirds our present tax rate not high
enough and can ] afford 20 pay more?
7 would like 20 say here. in parenthesis.
that the man who thinks our taxes at
the present time are not high enough
either does NOT pay any. or does not
know when he has enough.
Fourth VIII the city lose its present
water system should company elect 70
bring in a main 70 some point on Beacon
hing (Somc people seem 10 think and be-
neve this VIII he the case1
Flfth-If the city has the right 20 con-
dt mn the acquired rights of the afore-
said company ar the present time. VIII il
not have theav same rights FIVE. or even
ten. years from now, should IL elect 70
use thcme
S.Nth-ls II not almost a moral certain
Is that the disregard Of The implied ohli-
cation. incurred hy the citizens ana voters
/ ~ seattle when they assisted and 'h'tted
the present outstanding bombed indebted
! ness. viii result In the ruin Of oar credlt2
/ And WI We rot hBd ourselves iE the posi-
/ ttou of 70 sister city. Who today IS feeling
! bssuly the loss of once high credit?
Enough Done Tor. Po-teritv.
| We have been hnil3inE brick buildings
! yer rost,r.-v- Nc have built street car
| lines frr rosfc~ity, ard are PAVING irt-r-
! v~t ou same ur trying O.. u IS now pro-