The Delta independent., 1897-03-17


To the taxpayers OF Delta:-
In order that you may be more fully
Informed regarding the question to be
settled by your votes at the approaching
town election, deem it my duty to ex-
plain some prominent features OF the
propositions to be submitted for your
approval and would be pleased to more
fully discuss the matter with any OF our
citizens who may desire further infoima-
tion on the subject.
The municipal ownership OK water and
lighting systems is becoming more popu-
lar year by year. a. we yearly witness the
acquire ownership OF these necessities.
That our little town made no mistake
in owning its own water works has been
demonstrated already. Our only mis-
take was in being too conservative at the
time and building too small.
We must enlarge our water plant to
meet the demands OF our growth, and,
by giving adequate fire protection and
water service. foster still larger and more
rapid growth. To meet these demands
your town council deems it wise to erect
. new pumping station large enough to
house an electric light plant and to put
in new boiler and pump, in addition to
those now In use and to replace the five
inch main with an eight inch cast iron
pipe and connect this with the tank by
u new line Of six inch cast iron pipe.
Cast iron pipe has no superior for water
works purposes and is cheaper now than
it may be again within the next decade.
1t can be bought now for but little over
half its cost at the tins our plant was
built.
For these and other needed improve.
ments in our water works we have asked
t<>e !, Syr,tn ha 10
suing, by the town OF 10000 in per
cent bonds, or such portion thereof as
your representative in the next council
may find necessary to be expended ex-
clusively for this purpose.
We are justly proud Of the progress
our little town has made during the
depressed period while most towns have
been going backward, but we must all
admit that il we are to keep up with the
progressive age we must not delay longer
the installing Of an electric light plant.
We must have light and we must let our
light shine il we expect to attract
strangers and prospective investors. To
this I think we all agree. We must have
electric light. Shall we let some one else
own it, or shall we own it ourselves?
The principle objection that has been
urged againet the town undertaking the
lighting business on the ground that we
would make some mistake or pay too
much for it can be met and satisfactorily
answered. We have secured the advice
OF practical water works and electrical
engineer and manager and We are as
sured that there has never been time
when lighting plant could be built as
cbeaply ~ now and that our ownership
of the water works makes It much more
economical for the town to own and
opaeate the Limiting plant than for any
Outside company 70 do h. TIE saae
hnihiine, Ake sses tofisspy ths 0ne
attendants required to operate one plant
will, with the, comparatively small in
crease In cost operate both. We are
further assured that the margin above
the actual cost Of operation required to
meet the interest and provide q sinking
fund TO pay for the plant. will still leave
our town enjoying the distinction Of
having the cheapest electric light Of any
town in the state, with the possible ex-
ception Of one or two where they have
water power or a coal mine at the fur
mace door.
The propositions under which we are
proceeding are safe IL acted upon with
out delay, but il po,tponed until the
present depressed condition Of business
revives, the contemplated improvements
may cost US much more. We are assur-
ed that We can install. in connection with
our proposed water works improvements
an electric plant equal to that possessed
by any town OF our size in the state for
Z sum not exceeding 5000.
You are asked to authorize the issuing
OF 5000 in 6 per cent bonds to be used
exclusively in the building Of such a
lighting plant. Very truly yours,
GEO. b. CoNKLIN, Mayor.