Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1897-10-21

| loru'S arIlcle tnat this SUBJECT ha0
never been thought of here until the
fire. If that was his idea he was
very much mistaken. myself was
commissioned to look into this mat.
ter some time since, by party who
proposed to build on private account,
if it could be done profitably. The
supposition then was that the water
might be obtained 10y consolidating
the flow from the town springs
When the quantity was reported he
pronounced ii wholly insufficient.
But carried the investigation far
Their. l made an estimate of the
water rents upon the basis of what
was paid elsewhere, putting down the
water-rents for fire and street pur-
poses at $500 year-which, by the
way, at the rate of taxation for the
past year would not have left dol
lar for public repairs and improve
ments, according to statement rem
dered me by the secretary OF the
council-and the result was that the
income would not more than pay the
running expenses, to say nothing of
the plant.
/ know that it will be said that
this is matter know nothing about.
l find that every one in this town
knows more about everything than
do about anything by in
SEPARATION as it were. But L
have at least sought for informa-
ton, and have had some expert
ence-at the money end-of similar
enterprises. know, too, that this
article will be the occasion of much
abuse Of me, as is always the case
when one places himself in opposi-
ton to even a temporary public SEN
timent; but l can stand much Of that
sort of thing if it will have the eff
feet of inducing thorough investiga-
ton. TO the ordinary mind it would
seem that the first suggestion would
be the employment of an expert
enced hydraulic engineer, who will
not be bidder or connected with the
bidders for the work, to 60 over the
ground thoroughly and prepare plans
and specifications of an efficient sys-
tem-not mere squirt-gun affair
and then to invite bids upon
these plans and specifications. Then
we would know what it will cost.
Mr.. Telford asserts that sixteen
cents addition to the levy is all that
is necessary. Will the gentleman
condescend to come down from the
clouds and show us his figures?
will assist him in advance. Remem-
Der the assessment has already been
raised this year from 40 to SO cents.
Sixteen cents more makes &C cents.
The real and personal values of the
town amount to 1924, 41O. AT &c
cents this would yield S2,SO1. From
this deduct 500 for delinquents and
81 100 for fixed charges, which the
secretary tells me is about the
amount, $50 for interest and 1878
for the sinking fund, and we have
only SIG for all other purposes,
when the streets alone require over
5000 per year. / think it can be de-
mOnStrated that no sufficient fall for
turbine or ram can be obtained with
out damming the river. 1t is idle i'm
view of well known facts as to Cald-
we'll mill to depend on Howard's
creek. Resort then must be had to
steam pumping, the operating eX-
penses Of which cannot safely be put
at less than $4,000 per year, accord
ing to experts whom | have con-
suited. Leaving out, therefore. wear
and tear and cost of maintenance land
putting the necessary street work at
5000, we have an annual deficit of
81, 4S4, to meet which another levy
of GO cents will be required, making
the total 126. Or course l have
eliminated the water-rents, which
will amount to but little, and the in
terest on the sinking fund, which, if
past experience Is worth anything,
will amount to nothing.
JOHN w. HARRIS.