The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-10-30
THE WATERW WORKS.
A Settlement Apparently as Remote
as Ever.


Tt is now reasonably certain that the
proposition to settle the WaterWOrks
controversy will be defeated. No form
al action has yet been taken but there
has been a lingering hope that more
concessions might be made by the Wa
ter company.
The last demand made by the coun-
ell was for general reduction of 20
per cent on all private rates. The
company had already agreed to a 20 per
cent reduction on houses of five rooms
and less and on sprinkling rates. The
councilmen thought that since that
much concession had been made toward
reducing the private rates the company
might go the whole way. But P. c.
Hord who is the representative of the
company refuses to yield this point and
the result will undoubtedly be that the
whole matter will be dropped.
Mr.. Hord said today in speaking of
the disagreement: we have done ev-
erything we could to bring about a set
tlement of the controversy because we
do not like to be involved in litigation
While I am sorry that things have gone
as they have I have no complaint to
make.
IF our proposition is rejected and
the litigation goes on 1 hope that the
law suits will be regarded as friendly
ones to determine the rights of the city
and the water company. We do not
wish to quarrel and would much pre-
fer that every thing should be settled
up"
CounciImen NetteIs and Warner who
live in what is known as the dry dis
trict' have been the most earnest adTO-
Gates of the compromise. Both have
been anxious to accept the terms Of
fered by the water company but both
have given up hope of having any thing
done. Councilman Nettels who is
chairman of the sub committee said to-
day that at the next meeting of the
council which is on Monday evening of
next week a formal report viii be
made A majority of the committee is
ODDOSR0 a
ment and the report will consequently
be in the nature of a recommendation
that the proposition of the water COM
pany be rejected. The report will be
! adopted for the council is OVerwhelrn-
1ngly against the compromise proposed.
AS soon as the council acts City At
torney Bird will at once commence an
action in mandamus to compel the
company to extend it's mains This
will mean the beginning of a new Sc
rleS Of GtigatiOnS and they will prOba b.
~ last until the franchise expires four
years hence. In the meantime the peO-
pie living in the additions will have to
wait for fire protection and water
facilities which they might have had
at once under the terms of the proposed
compromise.
The situation at the present moment
seems to be this: The city authorities
are apparently satisfied with all the
terms of the proposed compromise ex-
cept they hope for a reduction of 90
/ per cent on everything affecting pri-
VI SO!iS 4eIS--tH TIE reduction concern
! ing sprinkling and dwellings under five
rooms being already provided for in the
proposition. In other words, all the
other contentious are settled
The question now arises can the city
afford to deprive of water service
/ neighbOrhOOds entitled to it and keep
up the litigation on this one contention
This in view of the now well-knowu fact
that If the city can show at any day
that any charges to private consumers
| are unreasonable and that on the basis
of existing charges the water company
is earning above repairs an amount to
exceed six per cent on a fair valuation
of the property, the city can then bv
ordinance make this proposed reduction
Independent of any agreement with the
waterWOrks company.