The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1899-08-03
TALKING wATERwoRKs.
The City Fathers Have Their Curiosity
Aroused Over Materworks.

A call meeting of the city coun-
ell was held this forenoon, Mayor
W. G. Gardner presiding Alder
men present were German, Eddie
man, Cruce, Slaughter, Best and
Pennington.
OF course there had been a mu-
tual understanding with all present
as to the object Of the meeting,
and in a brief Introductory Mayor
Gardner asked that Walter G. Dean
of Paris, Tex, present his propo-
sitiOn for establishing a system OF
waterworks to the members of the
council now present.
Mr.. Dean complied, stating that
he was here to talk waterworks
and make a proposition to the city
for their acceptance or rejection.
This proposition was framed as
an ordinance, and was voluminous
in detail, setting forth fully the
establishment Of a waterworks Svs-
tenn for our city and which would
be sufficient for city of FIVE times
Ardmore's size. Mr.. Dean said he
asked no bonds, no bonus, but
asked that the city take as many
as 60 hydrants at an annual rental
of 800 each for fire protection.
The franchise would call for 80
years, but at the end of 10 years.
should the city see fit. they could
purchase the entire plant at the
actual value of the same at the
time of purchase. In addition to
this there is to be furnished free of
charge sufficient water supply for
every public school building in the
city the same at the city hall and
fire engine house, and two public
drinking fountains shall be erected
aud maintained free of all cost
There is also a clause in the ordi-
nance allowing free use of all hy-
drants for tests, drills Of the fire
depar- ment and for the flushing OF
cutters. The city is not asked to
do thing until all this shall have
been completed and submitted to
test, and this test may be kept
up as often as may be deemed
necessary. Mr.. Dean further en-
tertains a forfeiture on his part
should the system remain uncom-
pleted within a specified time.
Appraisers for the valuation of
this plant, should the city see fit
to purchase, are to be appointed, one
by the city, one by the waterworks
company and those two to select a
third. Mr.. Dean stated it would
require 61a miles of mains to fur
nish those 60 hydrants which would
furnish water ample for all protec-
tion over the business part of town
and about one-half mile north and
south of Main street.
Mayor j. c. Gibbons of Paris,
who was present, made a few re-
marks on the great need of water
works to this city. stating that the
annual amount asked for this thor
ough fire protection was as nothing
compared to the amount of prop
erty destroyed here every year by
fire.
Mr. Eddleman thought that a
franchise extending for so years
was TOO great an extension for any
undertaking, to which Mr.. Dean
replied: Mr.. Eddleman, You
have the privilege to purchase this
plant in ten years. -
Mr. Cruce did not like the idea
of the city guaranteeing to the
company $4,000 per year for fire
protection.
Mr.. Pennington said that he
should certainly vote against any
such a proposition, he did not like
the time and wanted the city to
have the power when they saw fiji
to purchase the plant to make a
price on it, which the company
would have to take or move out.
Mr.. Best said he thought the
proposition was the height of fool