The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1895-03-29
A SPECIAL MEETING.
Of the Council in Relation to the Water
Works.

Works.
The city council convened in
special session Monday evening to
discuss matters pertaining to the
water system, all the members
present and Mayor Hollis in the
chair. CounciImen e. R. Cox in
troduced a resolution prohibiting
tapping of the mains.until the:sys-
tenn is duly tested and excepted by
the city. The resolution brought
fourth some discussion, in which
all members except councilman
Tharp participated.
Mr.. Cox argued that Supt. Cum
mings, nor any individual, had any
authority whatever to go ahead
and tap the water mains until
an ordinance had been formed and
passed upon by the common coun-
Gil creating the Office Of water sup
erintendent, defining the duties
thereof and regulating the price of
putting in the water service, etc.
1t seems that Supt. Cummings
tapped a joint of the main at the
Maloney residence at the solicita-
tion of Mr.. Maloney, and his reas-
ons therefore as he stated before
the council, was that it could be
done cheaper before the mains were
covered over with dirt, than after
the bitches had been filled in. He
further stated that he thought bv
tapping the mains at the present
time, it could be done some cheap.
er, and in consequence be of ma
terial benefit to the consumer.
Councilman Kirk was of the op-
inion that the water service could
be put in cheaper with the pipes
uncovered than it could be
after they were covered, but wanted
it distinctly understood that be
would not favor the creation Of any
more city officials than at present
existed; but was in favor of the
city marshal being instructed to
look after the water system.
Councilmen Jones took the floor;
was of the opinion that it was all
right to tap the mains and put in
the water service, so long as the
party ordering it payed for it, and
was further of the opinion that it
could be much cheaper done now
than after the mains were covered
with earth.
Mr.. Cox at this point more min.
utely explained his resolution,
stating that which he wished to
convey was that no one had the
right to tap those mains until an
ordinance was in effect giving some
one authority to tap them; de6n.
ing his duties and regulating the
price of putting in the water serv-
ice; also that if "Tom, Dick and
Harry" were allowed to tap the
mains. the city partially accepted
the system before it was tested.
Councilmen Spencer was Of the
opinion that an ordinance should
be enacted Immediately regulating
the tapping of the mains, but was
Of the opinion that Mr.. Cox's
resolution was out of order mas
much as the system at the present
time was the property of the con-
tractors; that they had the exclu-
sive right to tap the pipe, cut it up
Or do what they pleased with it so
far as the city was concerned; that
the city had nothing to do with
the matter until the time came for
the city to except the system, then
if any portion Of the pipe was not
satisfactory the city could reject
it.
Mayor Hollis was of the opinion
that an ordinance should at once
be drawn up, the councilmen
thought likewise, and on motion
Of Cox, the ordinance committee
was instructed to draw up an or
dinance constituting the office of
water superintendent, defining the
duties Of that official. Also one
regulating the price for putting in
water service and governing price
of water sold to consumer.