The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-12-08
RFoLK' vIRGINIAN: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER s 1897


At the end of twenty years your en-
tire Indebtedness would he wiped out
and the city would be receiving $4,000
per annum for its works. which cost
them nothing-or, In other words, the
works will be paid for, the bcnds re-
funded and the entire revenue would be
met which would represent az per
cent. on Il million dollars capital, or
$4,000 net cash revenue per annum for
the franchise.
at the end Of forty years we would
turn ovrr the entire works. free and
clear OF all incumhrances TO the city;
we would pay you during that period in
stands on your books at S70O,Oo0. and
could he easily duplicated at present
prices Of material and with modern
equipments for Si50,000. or we would
pay you ful rentals $4,000. more than
three times the present value of your
works
Our company would probably pay out
during tho course OF its operation in
maintainance an average of $4,000 per
year. and this with the rental makes n
direct disbursement OF $4,000 900 in and
to your city, and this capitalized with
accumulatinS iGltcrcst would bring n
total disbursement to the city of Nor
folk ana in your community Of be-
tween four and five million dollars.
DISPATlACiE LITnLE GREEK.
We are prepared to accompany this
proposal with proper Surcties and other
evidences OF our good faith and ability.
We believe from our observations and
knowledge that the adoption of the
Lit;lc Creek plan would entail an OK.
pediturc Of at east haf q million dol
lars by the city, as we are satisfied
that vast amount bf dredging will
nave TO be done to get the old salt sat
urated mud which has been accumulate
ing for centuries, and that probably an
entire new bottom would have to be
obtained in order to prevent the water
from continually bed1ming hrackish
We maintain that the problem of the
utilization of Little Greek in one which
no man on earth can accurately esti-
mate upon. There is no precedent on
which to base the results, as no other
case is on rcderd where an attempt has
been made TO reclaim such a large
amount of salt marsh and turn il into n
portable fresh water basin. The re-
sun, therefore. can only he
conjecturcd, and should it fan. tho city
would have 10 pay FOR Il. There Is moth.
ing 81 unsatisfactory as paying for
something and getting nothing.
Per CONTRA" even should yo,r TittIn
creek nlan succeed. as stated above, we
are satisfied in our minds that 1T would
cost at least half n million dollars. and
II YOU add the interest on this s,,,n-
say az iE per cent.-to your present liz,
vi operating expenses. or about $4,000
per annum for interest. the city will
nave heavy deficit In its water DEPART
ment, and be ii n considerable loss In
Nhc operation Of It's works for some
years to como, and direct tax would
nave TO be levied on your tax payrrs
% meet mis- deficit, and then have 10
renew search for a further source Of
supply. from present estimates, It will
cost from two TO three million dollars
ana consequently increase the capitaN-
Hatlon and interest account about slO0
o'o per ahhum or double your present
eh'ire income and this burden and n
lurthcr direct annual levy on YOUR toy
payers would become necessary nn1
Would have 10 be made before the Little
creek addition had become profitable
.NudlnS the interest account on s,,cl,
iufthcr extensions as must be inevitabln
II Is impossible for us TO sae fron,
these deductions how your cjty can
look forward 10 any profit from thn
operation OF It's works for the next fiftv
years my
1t Is our recollection that tho oor,,,
estimates or the added voIun or "',s ,hs
L'',!e creek supply placed the increase
at . hNe million gallons per day. ana If
iniS Is the correct estimate. II must
SIMPLY mean the reaching out fnr n
lnriher source Of supply at an early
date. c'iHS
The 4nSsiicr, of course, may be
raised why the city cannot do ali which
We propose Oui. answer is .''' MINI mn'Hn
"oFkS. operated ny municipalities are
MANAGED by cloctlvn bodies chosen
from various walks in life. ANY RoorJ
81 Water Commissioners ana Counril-
men are not and cannot be cynrr,
Watcr works" mcn: therefore al
'h"NGn ihey may he most excellent ana
c"hSe!chiious public servants. they can
.,ot nope or ne expected to achieve the
results obtained by men who far q
lifetime have made a study of and
heen engaged in the practical and
tSonoInical management OF wafer
works. The latter have their ovn
money invested i'm the enterprise onI
are making their livelihood thcrcfron,
by devo;ing their entire time. a,tcn
'ioh ana experience from q financial
standpoint.
Trusting that this proposal NAV mrc,
with your favorable consideration. ana
II so. we Will again bring forward tho
ihctS mat we are willing TO place II
Immediately i'm detail form and shane
ana Sivc You evidence of our good
faith ana ability 10 carry the foreroInr
b''p"S't ny ihe underwriting of our
responsibility by the best surety com
panies Of the United States. who ar.
constantly willing to go upon our band
Tor the successful and workmanlikr
performance of any contract that we
may undertake.
Respectfully submitted,
THE HYDRAULIC CONSTN 90
WIN. d. H. WASHINGTON,
President.
Submitted by
FRANK y. REHILL
Mr. East wanted to know whether tho
cost of water to the consumer will be
increased.