The herald., 1898-07-22
MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP
PASADENA WANTS TO OWN ITS
WATER SYSTEM


A. II. Paramore's Collision
PASADENA. (Office Of the Herald. IS
East Colorado streeD, July N.-Many citi-
zens were present in the board of trade
rooms this evening to hear the report
Of the committee selected to look into the
legal status of the question of municipal
ownership of the water system. Pasadenans
have taken hold of this question by the
horns. and the majority Of them are work
Ing hard to attain city plant, hoping there
by to greatly lessen water rent, and at the
same time have a more perfect system.
The committee has consulted lawyers, and
Is assured that there are no legal reasons
why municipal ownership should not, or
cannot, exist. Doubtless difficulties would
have to be surrnounted, but they are not in
surmountable. The present rates charged
by the corporations could be kept by the
city. and large revenue should be yielded
to the city. The two water companies last
year made some 1000, and only about half
this was devoted to expenses. The re-
mainder was spent upon improvements to
increase the supply.
In the opinion Of many the present Is the
best time to buy out the companies. Some
stockholders, looking forward to municipal
ownership, have already increased their
Stock in order to put up the price and specu-
late. Probably something like $40 or SIS
would have to be paid per share by the city.
The committee tonight recommended that
another committee of ten be chosen to CO.
operate with the city trustees and to push
the movement. This recommendation was
unanimously adopted by the meeting
President c. M. Parker of the Lake Vine
yard Land and Water company protested
against the secretary's having put him on
record at the last meeting as opposed to city
ownership. Later in the evening he re-
sumed his pleas for his own and his col
leagues interests.
The principal business of the evening was
the report of the committee of five, which
was In summary as follows:
First-The city may own and operate Its
waterworks.
Secondly reasonable expenditures of
money the supply may be materially in
creased, and water for the city's own use
may be provided free.
Third-The rates could be reduced, but If
allowed to remain as at present they could
pay the interest on the sinking fund and
leave margin of profit.
fourtn-Whie we peheve that the anairs
Oh the present companies nave been honestly
anu eiicientIy managed yet iriction can De
oest avoided ana the interests OF the city
best served by municipal ownership and
management. The city, with its ample
creoit ana resources, can develop all the
water neeoeo.
Inc committee Is composed OF T.. II.
100 "vou' - o. anve' "a. y. HeSno.us'
wr,oht reod tha renort
Mr. wr,ght,s motion tba+ N. rsnor+ y.
accented was followed nv ,;va,,, a,so,,ss,on
which was nartaken Of hv Hon lanes M,
Iachlan. who asked how the iaeaI d,rf,cu,-
ties were IN he overcome
Mr.. Wright resnonded that tho statutas
provided that cities generally NAV aconire
their own water svstems The system may
be bought even though the nrivate corpora-
lions are not willing to sell. The money may
be raised by the issuance of bonds. The
ways and means which the water companies
may provide to block the city will have to
be surmounted as they arise.
c. G. Brown Of the water company wished
to know II he understood Mr.. Wright to say
that the law would permit the city's con-
demning for public use property which is
already devoted to public use. Mr. Wright
brought forth applause by responding:
Eyes, for greater public use."
Considerable discussion followed, the bent
of which was all in favor Of the movement,
especially when the report of the committee
was adopted. The committee of ten will be
appointed by the chair, G. A. Gibbs, who
will himself be chairman OF the committee
Brevities
Peter Jensen, the young man who has
been about the city for some time. making
a precartous living upon what little work
he could get to do. will leave Tomorrow
morning by the Santa Re at lois O'Clock
for the home of his parents. in Minnesota.
Jensen came here destitute. and was cared
for bv Marshal Layey and others. The
marshal clothed and fed him and permitted
him tn sleen in the iail The ticket to his
home was a present from kindly disposed
persons. Jensen is a consumptive and does
not expect to live long.
The Americas club ia formulating MANS
for the coming fall nolitical camna,pn
are being annonted nv pres,-
dent Dobbins for the work of recruiting
men and rev,v,nr interest. The club has
o2o members thirtv-f1ve Of whom are
With tho army IT Is desired 10 pet fftv
moro members. New suits will be pur-
chased and drilling will soon begin, The
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