The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-01-05
THAT WATER Supply.
Judge Keeling Writes an Entcrcsiin.
COInnu


The following communication from
Judge Keeling explains Itself:
Norfolk, Va, Jan. 4, 1896.
To the Public:
on the 3lst ulto. there appeared Il
news item in The Norfolk Nirgnian in
regard to the, source of an additional
water supply for Norfolk. etc. stating
mat an option had been secluded on
Butts Pond by Judge j. NJ. Keeling.
etc. since my attention has been called
- an article. which appeared in the
Norfolk Dispatch on the I'd instant. in
which the writer. referring 10 the watet
situation. says: In the meantime
rumor is very busy and suggests an at
tempt on the part of some one to take
advantage of the city's dilemma in the
present wafer crises. by securing options
on certain water acreage. proposed nS
temporary additional supply. and asking
an e%Orb!tant price for the same. simply
because they see II chance for spccull-
ton on the citY's needs" AS tho refer
enCe. seemingly is directed to me. ] de
sire TO say that the writer is entirely
in error in his deductions. etc, for in
no way have ever sought an interview.
opportunity or approached any ono
to SCI, 10 the city such water rights rs
hold. OF control To the contrary, |
have been repeatedly interviewed by Il
special committee of the Water Hoard
and Councils. desiring to know the
l4tsliNH litlfl' anu iNdlNluS NY dtAibll
to secure another ! did not hold and
which was subsequently secured. After
this two interviews were held with me
and offers respectively made To pur-
chase ana sell which were likewise de-
Clincd, as decrced the figures named
grossly inadequate. | had waited for
some months to see If the water DILL
Gals or Council regarded the supply"
as worthy of consideration or purchase,
believing by their acts they did not SO
regard 1t (Which am charitable enough
| 10 conclude they knew nothing Of /
then proceeded to secure the same. etc.
| with the firm conviction it's value could
he demonstrated, and the property sold
nj a moderate price and small advance.
| ana when waited upon by the commit
tee. as before said. | named TO them Il
price considerably less than the real
value Of the property. Since | have
been informed that the city would apply
To the court for the appointment of com
missi1ner;. etc. to condemn the same.
which Is their privilege and right. and
to which | have no objection. believing
n do that the value OF tho property i
far in excess Of the price named TO
! hem. baGinG my opinion upon the fac;
| that the value or worth of water hay
lnE been established by the Water De-
plrtment. to to- about $50 per million
gallons. " fair solution is 10 ascertain
The contents of the lake. tocz thor with
the land taken. etc. ana then fix The
value Tie acreage ana contents, exc.
| hope IN secure by Tuesday. hut from
information nj present desired feel yory
CnmpllCent i'm saying that the lake VIII
SHOW an area from - to ZOO acres. and
from careful sulVeyingS y depth from 6
to IN feet, averaging about ~ feet and
not To cSceed = mile from Lake B"sd-
ford. with which II could he connected
ut an incunsidcratc cost. by right-of-
way secured from this property To Lake
Bradford 81 strikes nc If thcre are
SOM" SO considerable Of \ortOlk'S inter-
es, instead of calling upon the propgrty
holders of Princess Anne 10 provide FOR
! her water wants. why not form Il sym
dic1tc, buy the property and then pres
cnt II to the city OF Norfolk. ana not
ask Your country ncighborS to provide
for your wants. II a syndicate of Nor
folk Citi@'nS desire 10 treat. upon this
basis | Will aid them all in my power.
and Yield any money interest have and
b,vpme with them jointly i contributor.
What right has the city to ask that
water be sold it for less than its worth
any more than coal be sold at less than
its value? What business man, holding
property wanted by The city, will cor
form his prices 10 nee; their views whto
| 1t Is known 10 he below its VaiurH IL
the city of Norfolk wants this GuNply
land desires a acquire T. for less than
It's worth then ihe comment should be
ImaIe upon them ana not thc OWNER.
who has shown disposition 40 relieve
the difficulty by selling brloS its actual
worth. Il seems 10 mo that Norfolk has
had suili lent experience ~ the penny
wise AMI pound foolish methods. and if
she is casting about, as In the past. 10
mcguire sometime below it's value fail
uyr doubtless VIII be Inc result and the
best interest of your city instead of be-
ing aubservcd. Will be carried 10 blight
ana distress.
In conclusion would state tEa, my
r0sitlun has bcon ono az fTaukNr-- ana