The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-16
MAYOR AT LAST SEES 1T
TELLS COMMERCIAL CLUB THE HORD
PROPOSITION is TOO HIGH.
The Smoker In Favor of Municipal
Ownership-Expert Hill Talks
of Water Plant.

At the smoker of the Commercial Club
last evening, held to discuss the question
Of the purchase Of the water works by the
city, there was unanimous agreement that
the price set by w. B. Hord is most exorbi-
tant. In the discussion it was also shown
that practically all favored municipal own
ership of the water works. although there
was considerable difference of opinion con-
corning the best method for obtaining pos
session.
At about $3.50 President D. M. Parry
called together the fifty or more gentlemen
who were present and stated that the pur-
pose of the meeting was an informal dis
cussion of the question. The report of the
committee of the Commercial Club was then
read, and also the plan for purchase sag
gested by A. L. Mason. The president made
way for the discussion by calling upon Elk
pert Hill. Mr.. Hill stated that in estimating
the value of the water-works plant he had
gone carefully into the details. Most of the
property was in fair condition, the best had
always been purchased, but some of it was
old-fashioned. The price, also, of every
thing, unless it were the pumping machin-
cry, had decreased greatly. The deep
driven wells, he said, are certainly a re-
markable advantage, and he saw no reason
for scarcity of water. The only objection
is the fact that it is hard water and very
few people are Directing to that. 1t was
true the water in the reservoir had become
contaminated by the water in the river
soaking through the stones and sand, but
this difficulty could be avoided by making
the reservoir tight.
AS THE MAYOR SEES IT NOW.
Mayor Taggart said he had favored NUM-
cipal ownership and when Hord stated that
he believed he could make arrangements
for a purchase, the plan seemed a good one
But since Mr.. Hill has made his report"
continued the mayor, II have decided that
this city shall not pay for franchises The
price set by MIR. Hord is ridiculously high
1 still believe, however, that Mr.. Hotd s
plan, aside from his price, is all right.
thought the board and the Council would
get together next week and dispose of the
Hord plan or take up some better one. We
are not going to hurry about the matter.
We are going to look out for the interests
of the city,.
w. H. IL Miller then gave a talk in oppo-
sition TO any scheme yet advanced for the
purchase OF the water works by the city.
lie was opposed to entering into a contract
which would increase the city's indebted
ness. He could not see why 1t was SO much
more necessary to have municipal owner
ship of water works than municipal owner
ship of the street railway system, the cleo
trio light plant, etc.
1.-THE water works are very different from
the other plants" replied E. B. Martin
dale. THE water supply is about as init
mately connected with health as air or the
sewer system TO guard against impure
water we must have municipal ownership.
But the first thing needed is legislation.
If the water-works system were allowed
to become a political tool, Of course 1T would
be a. failure. Arrangements would have to
bQ ma m charge "A
board of trustees who are entirely free from
political influence That is the first step.
The next would be to secure the system. l
believe we could construct one for 81, 900 900
if compelled to. The city could secure bids
and new company be bonded If it was un-
derstood that the bonds could be cashed.
1t would then be time for the old company
to offer to sell if it had refused to do so be-
fore. But at any rate. the city must OBJ
way. 1t won't be long until direct pressure
and soft water necessities and we must
look forward to them"
MR. MORSS'S SUGGESTION.
s. E. Morss then brought forward meth
cd for getting at the value of the water
works plant. He suggested that a commit
tee be appointed to appraise it. Two would
be appointed by the city. two by the COM
pany and fifth by these four. The city
could then purchase the property at the
value set by the committee.
A plan was produced by w. A. Pickens
which did not seem to meet with very much
approval. He said water works adds direct
ly to the value Of property therefore an as
sessment should be made on the property
holders. The present plant should be pur-
chased at it's actual value in this way. Mr..
Pickens estimated that the yearly cost to
the user of water would not be one-half what
it now is. He stated, however, that his plan
would necessarily be failure because un-
popular.
water works should be purchased at the
city's valuation. 1t might be necessary to
make O. constitutional amendment in order
that the city could assume a debt in excess
of the per cent. limit. but he believed this
to be practicable.
John r. Wilson, w. A. Elder and ]. 7.
Mahoney also spoke briefly in favor of
municipal ownership. The meeting adjourned
at about IL O'clock.