The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-04-25
THE WATER QUESTION.
Councilman MeGregcr's Views on the
. situation.

Astoria. Or. April q, 1895.
Editor Daily Astorian;-
| beg space in your columns for the
following communication touching the
controversy OF hydrant rental OF the new
water system.
All admit the efficiency and superiority
OF the new system as 4 means Of fire pro-
lection. l admit that the expense OF
maintenance OF the water system should
be bourne by all benefited.
Rental for hydrants by taxation will
not so distribute the expense OF main
enance. The greater portion OF that
part OF the city l represent will be de-
prived Of the o protection Il now en-
joys and receive nothing In its place.
/ consider their taxation for hydrant
rental unjust. At fires in this locality
the fire department have succeeded in
getting water with the engines. where
It will be impossible for them to do so
with the new water system.
The question OF hydrant rental was
brought before the city council on No
vember 5th. 1895; said souncil shirked its
duty by referring the matter to the pres
ent council. causing the water commits
sion to increase rates on the consumer
January fst. 1896.
Being informed by the commission that
5000 rental must be allowed by the city
to insure a reduction OF rates to the
consumer. investigation followed. The
result OF such Investigation brings me
TO the conclusion that the water COM
mission Is not managing business for the
best interests OF the consumer or tax
payer
The alter commissioners are empower
ed to bvvrow on bonds $4,000 for the
construct, n OF water works: they hor-
rowed 5000. have spent the same, and
are short Of .lnds 10 complete the water
works. They refuse to issue further
bonds TO construct the works. but on
January l. 1855. burden the consumer by
increasing water rates, and now wish TO
impose on the taxpayers in a like man
ner. Water rents and money from all
sources ave been used by the commits
sion in the construction VI the new sys-
TEN. Had sufficient funds been borrowed
to construct the water works, there
would have been no occasion 10 Increase
water rates on the consumer. but such
rates could have heen reduced in amount
to equal a reasonable rental to be allow
ed for fire hydrants. Thus, the burden
OF construction would come where It
rightfully belongs, on the present and
the future population together.
Thtrty-year bonds were issued with his
view, and the whole trouble comes in the
water commission not having borrowed
enough money to cover the cost Of con-
struction. Water rents would have ac-
by this time to cover all neces-
sary extensions. The water works were
constructed with the expectation OF a
railroad population to help pay for their
construction. and when such population
arrives, will be plenty of time for Gre
ating a reserve water fund.
| believe the sum Of 5000 demanded by
the commission to be in excess OF re-
ever under the present sys-
TEN Of management; but, as I am pow
erless TO change the management, / may
b forced to burden the taxpayer that
amount for the relief of the consumer,
whose water rate at present / consider
In preference to the allowance OF 5000
rental / should favor, first, the
OF water rates to the old stand
ard OF 1895; then the city council to make
an allowance for hydrant rental equal to
the deficiency caused necessary for the
actual running expense Of the water
When consumers nave increased TO such
l admit that the expense OF
rate at 20 cents per month / think the
city should be allowed free water. In
notifying the water commission that the
city council would MAKE 10 allowance as
the committee on fire and water
cid so on the instruction of the council,
and / believe such steps were taken by
he council to bring about negotiations.
Touching the saving made in the fire
would say that in accordance
with the plans adopted by the council
FOR re-modeling, the expense Of two en-
and repairs and fuel for two en-
sines will be saved, amounting to about