The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-23
OPEN TO DISCUSSION.
Mayor Wants to Hear from Citizens
on WATER Works Scheme.

on Water Works Scheme.
The proposition to buy the water works
is now in the hands of the citizens for full
discussion, Mayor Taggart says, and he
asks that all who have opinions to express
will give them to him and the Board of
Public Works. And, indeed the matter is
receiving great attention among the BUSH
ness men of the city. 1t is felt that it is a
momentous question. There is little sent-
ment against the city owning the water
plant. 1t seems that Judge Martindale' S
opinion that the water works should be
controlled by the city because it is so close
ly identified with the city's health is uni
versal. The great objection raised by bust
ness men, and the objection which, If it pre-
walls, will lead to throwing away the Hord
proposition, is the price to be paid for the
plant under the present plan. Judge Mar
tindale's talk to those present al the meet
ing held Wednesday night at the mayors
office has made deep impression, it seems.
He argued that the city should pay for the
machinery and the other property alone if
it buys the water works, and not for the
good will or the franchise of the company.
Expert Hill stated the value of the plant to
be 81 100000 Based on the earnings of the
company, he valued the property at a sum
over $3,O00,OO0. 1t appears that the general
sentiment is that the tangible. property of
the water company only should be paid for
if the city buys the water works. That is
Judge Martindales belief. 1t is not the be-
lief of Expert Hill.
son presents the view that business man
Will not sell his business for the value of
the stock he has on hand. The buyer must
pay for the good will his patrons have tor
him, the number of patrons he has and the
proht-earning capacity of his business. He
is convinced that the owners of the water
property of the plant is worth. He holds
the argument good that, even if the city
paid the price the Hord proposition asks
$500, GOETHE city would save money in the
Twenty-Five years 1t would take to buy the
plant, and at the end of that time would
own the water works besides.
Judge Martindale was charged yesterday
by several persons who are controlled by
the city administration with opposing the
because he has made several unsuccessful
attempts to buy the water plant himself,
and still desires to own 1T. Judge Martin
dale denies this allegation. He says he has
not tried to purchase the water works. but
its stock has been offered to him at pan
several times. He says the water works
will never be bought by the city on the
Hord proposition, and that the city admin
istration that did buy it according 10 the
H I3 t ana III valuations would be buried
Injunction. Judge Martindale says. Au-
gustus l.. Mason saws it would be crime
for the city to purchase the water works
The Commercial Club has appointed the
following committee to investigate the mat
ter. as Mayor Taggart requested: John H
Holiday, chairman; A. A. Barnes, d. p.
Erwin. j: L. Reach, S. z. Rauh and j. O.
Van Wrinkle.
With the drift of popular sentiment as ii
Is it is probable that the city administra-
ton will be led to make a counter propo-
stion to the owners of the water works
which will favor the Hord plan of purchase
1t being really the only one the city can
use to buy the water works, but will ask
for q much lower price on the prODerty.