Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-06-26

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N ire Motor Of the optie.
EAST LAS vnuAs, n. NJ, Juoe 20, loSi'--
The cltv council OF Las Vegas 10 seeking
to make some needed changes In the water
rates throughout the city. Az the last
session Of the legislature, q law wal passso
by that body containing the following
section ''That any city or town orfAn
ICED and existing uuder and BY virtue Oh
the laws OF the Territory OF New Mexico
shall have and is hereby vested with the
power to regulate by resolution or or
dinancc, the prices to be charged by any
individual. Arm, co-partnership or cor
o ration for gas, electric tights and water
,urn,susd by suil inui,ilu-i, nIm, 90
partnership or corporation to such cities
or lawns Of this Territory or any OF the
| inhabitants resident therein, provided
| that this shall not Affect any contract now
existing"
ID would seem that the Legislature In
tended by the passage of this law, to give
to the city council the control OF water
rates. acting, no doubt, on the theory that
,be council would necessarily stand I'm
partial between the city inhabitants and
The water company, giving to the rights OF
the people and of the company equal ano
fair consideration. The subject Is q very
important one and a proper subject Of leg
~islation. Where q water company ALONE
and uncontrolled has the exclusive rikn'
without consulting anybody, to ESTABLISH
and enforce It's own rate, in the nature o
bipes such company would seek to main
ain high rates as a matter Of proht. o.
the other hand, II the right to contro
rates lie given to the consumer, the ssm
principal will induce tho consumer to pre-
rates down to the lowest possible poin
I without reference to the rights OF tn
water company, as a matter OF individus
md personal interest. 80 II would seei
! necessary that the power to control ana u
rates should be lodged some place, wne'
II would not be liable to abuse.
The city council went over the en'i'
v field. 40 far as IL could with the data OF
tsiuable, and liked what was believed
be A rate fair both to the consumers
water and the water company. 30 Tar
we know the company has not commun
q GATED to the council It's pur pose In the ma
J. ter. whether to insist on maintaining 10
as rstes. TO accept the new Ones, or It's pu
: nose In any woy. Tuis condition IL one
great Importance to the public as all U
!. Inhabitants rely on the water company !
. water supply. should ths company OF
tirely iguore the action OF the city counc
- and seek to euforce its old rates BY turl
" ing of the water from all consumers, wi
do not pay the old rate, a condition OF or
~ barrassment aud confusion 10 Likely
I'd ar sc on the LIST OF July. IL Is TO be pr
A su ned that the coun, IL nave acted In 60
10 faith and the water works company shou
act in the same spirit and some enc
should be made on the part OF the comp
III nv to avoid the confusion and trout
a utelv to arise from an effort on their pr
ct IN shut of water, for the purpose OF 9
I'm forcing payment under the old rate. u
not a condition calling for the exhibit
of anv resentment, but one calling for
axarcise of good business judgement.
: war between the citizens on ths one p
and the water company on the other,
shifting in the forcible shutting on OF wa
ar the forclbls maintenance Of the right
=. water. 4. not to be desired, and 1t 10 to
hoped that the company may take &C
stems to demonstrates that the new ~
are Illegal, II it claims they are. BET
= soaking arbitrarily to deprive the cttiE
of the water supply they have 80 long
joyed. IA,
er, II Is understood the council. at Its
nd meeting, made provision for the empi
ain ment of counsel to maintain In the col
ing the rates established, II they should DO
MED by the water company.
The water company has its regular
Ter torneys and the whole controversy CO
40 easily be settled without annoyance to
ed public and without any hardship to
an of the individuals of the community,
an amicable suit instituted before
chief Justice to ascertain the legality OF
gal nresent rate. The company is an old
om d~ependent upon the goodwill and patr
age of the city for its continuous existe
kel and financial success, and 1t Is to be no
to thar It will meet the present emerRenc,
de- $ prudent and business like spirit, will
the vexations and damage that must
cA suit from arbitrary action.
OBsERvE
ma. -m---~--
ID R