The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-07
Exciting Discussion in the Coup
Gil Over Committees Report,
COST OF A NEW PLANT
Giant Springs q . Source OF supply-Ar,
Phelps. It Il Announced. Offers to
Cut His Price Very Materially.
The Report Adopted.

evening. n In consequence but few
spectators were on hand. The meet
ing opened with everyone present and
the usual preliminaries were gone
through. The clerk read several petit
lions for sidewalks. additions to build
ings within the fire limits and one ex-
tension OF water pipe. The topic of the
evening then came up or the report of
the special water committee, which was
as follows:
ITO the, Honorable Mayor and City
Council: Gentlemen-Your committee
appointed to investigate and report
upon the cost Of constructing an indie
pendent water system and the practi-
cability and de~sirability OF the Giant
Springs water as a source OF supply,
respectfully submit the following:
w have correspondsd with the
owner of the Giant Springs relative to
securing the permanent use thereof as
a source of supply, and with the owners
Of the land through which it is desired
to lay the supply mains for right-of-
way. m from h answers received we
are convinced that there will be no
difficulty in securing such right-of-way
and the permanent use OF the Giant
Spring water II the city decides to use
it as a source of supply. We also pc
titioned the board of county commits
sioners for right-of-way over the coun-
ty road leading to the silver smelter for
the purpose of laying supply Mains In
the event Of that route being followed,
and the same was granted.
From estimates furnished by the
city engineer we find that the cost of
a direct pressure system with the
Missouri river as a source OF supply,
with q capacity considerably greater
than the existing system, and with a
Alx--t-- -la-t ~ H,,Aiotanf 20
pacity to supply our citizens with
clear, pure water at all times of the
year, and with a 'standpipe' h a will
insure ample fire pressure in all parts
of the city, located on a high point in
the b. & M. addition, is as follows:
Cost of plant with pumping station
located one-half mile above the pres
ent station. 1927. 800; fltering plant of
$500, 900 gallons capacity, $4,000; stand
pipe, $40, 900. Total, $257 ,920.
Cost of direct pressure system. with
Giant Springs as source of supply, of
like capacity, but ne~cessitating the use
Of 9,7O0 feet of 16-inch supply mains, in
excess of tina used in the present sys-
tenn. $244. 100; standpipe, $4,000. Total,
$254, 100.
while our Investigations are not
sufficiently complete at this time to de-
termine the suitability of the Giant
Springs water for all domestic pur-
poses, as compared with properly fl
tered Missouri river water, we deem II
advisable to submit the question OF In
dependent construction without fur
Their delay, leaving the question as to
which of the I'VE waters Is best adapt
ID to supply the city for future deter
mination.
I'VE therefore recommend that the
question of authorizing the city coun-
Gil to issue bonds to an amount not to
exceed $3.50, 900 for the purpose of con-
structing a water system to be owned
and controlled by he city, be at once
submitted"
At the conclusion of the report Alder
man Jarl arose and stated that he had
had in the afternoon a conversa.,on
with President Phelps Of the water
company and a been authorized by
him to say hat the water company
was ready to meet, through Its presi-
dent, with the city council, and that IT
was also ready to recede from the price
which 1t had set upon its plant. In
fact II was ready to meet the council in
a spirit of fairness and give or tax in
the matter Of price. Mr.. Jarl, while not
authorized to state exactly what reduc-
ton the would make in the
price, he had inferred from The Con-
versation that ii was ready to split the
difference and he was sure shat Mr..
THclpS was hoW iCoay ~ hbo"N
ria concessions.
This statement was in the line Of a
thunder clap and Ii was several min
utes before any action was taken ty
the council.
Alderman Mcdonnell then said that he
was willing that the report be laid on
the table for one week to allow Mr..
Phelps and the council to meet.
Alderman wadsworth remarked that
Phelps had once appeared before the
council and had made a definite offer
and at the same assuring the council
that II was final and no other offer or
any offer as favorable would ever again
be made by the company. He was en-
tirely willing to consider q further offer
IL the proposition was made in sim
certify, but he feared hat the object CT
the statement reported by Mr.. Jarl was
for delay and he objected to anything
further of the sort. 1t was the duty Of
the council to adopt the report Of the
committee and prepare to hold an cleo
ton. If Mr.. Phelps desired later to
modify his first and, as stated at the
time. final offer, the adoption of the
report would in no wise interfere with
its consideration. He thereupon moved
the adoption Of the report.
Alderman Jarl again urged the u
ell to consider the statements of Mr..
Phelps and moved that the council go
into executive session to save any deli
cacy the members Of the council might
feel in speaking IN the subject.
Alderman Wadsworth objected to any
further waste of time over the mat
ter and particularly objected to con-
sidering h subject in executive ses-
sion. as IL was something which con-
cerned m interest Of every resident of
the city. Alderman Schmidt then sec
onded Wadsworth's motion to adopt
he report.
Alderman Mcdonnell desired to ex-
plain why he should vote against the
adoption of a report which he had him.
self presented to the council and said
that he did not believe in taking action
that he might afterward be obliged to
reconsider. He urged the council to lay
the matter over for one week.
Alderman Wadsworth asked Jarl IL
he had been specifically authorized by
cYav'c aYativp Pallets