The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-02


clared upon the stock of the company
After some discussion the Water Com
pany agreed that they would acceed Il
the request of the Finance Committee
and agree to all they asked, including
following figures;
LOCO gallons or less per day, 30 cents
instead of 40 cents.
1000 TO 1900 gallons per day, % cents
instead of 30 cents.
5000 to 5000 gallons per day, &C
cents instead of % cents.
5000 to 10000 gallons per pay, IL
cents instead Of 20 cents.
Exceeding 10000 gallons per day.
13 cents instead of Is cents. Giving a
reduction of FIVE cents on each rate,
provided the city would agree to ain ex-
tension Of their franchise twenty years.
The majority of your committee con.
sidered that reduction of the rates
would necessarily postpone for at least
i've or more years the ComIlany's earn
fng dividend, and believes that the
city should extend the franchise. MAX
ing a new contract with the Water Com
pany, holding to all of the provisions of
the old contract except the amendments
above stated. In case the board does
not think this advisable, your commit
tee recommend that the city proceed
}nder section 10 of the contract with the
Water Company, and ask for appoint
ment of appraisers with the view of ar
irving at ii figure at which the Water
Companyss property can be purchased
and that after such appraisement is
e - 4.
be introduced in the Legislature TO CON
vene June. 1900, authorizing the city
to issue bonds for the of such works.
Your Finance Committee are of the
opinion that possibly the last recommen
dation is the better Of the two, from the
fact that the residents Of the city feel
that the rates are too high and that th5
city could be better served by owning its
own plant and if majority of the
citizens feel that this is best, your Com
mittee thinks that they should have an
to 50 express themselves at
an election held for the purpose of issu
ing bonds
..Your Committee cannot close this re-
port without mentioning the fact that
the Committee selected by the Water
Works Company form their directors
and stockholders met your Finance Com
mittee in a most liberal spirit, being will
ing to do whatever they could IN jus
tice to their stockholders.
This report was signed by all three
members of the committee-Messrs. Mil
Ter, Wilder and Jones.
I'm presenting the report Chairman
Miller said that while he thought the
first course suggested would have been
the best to pursue. he was anxious
now to 90 ahead and appoint appraisers
to assess the value Of the water works
plant.
Alderman Wilder moved that the last
clause in the report providing for the
appointment Of appraisers be adopted.
Alderman Parrish said he wished 70
amend the last clause by adding the
words ''or the city build 4 water works
of its own" He thought the report
bound the committee to purchase the
plant of the Water Works Company.
Alderman Miller said that this was
not the case. He stated that a care
full reading of the report would make
this clear.
Mr.. Mcdonald moved to continue ac-
ton on the report until the next meet
ing of the board. in order to give the
members an opportunity to carefully
consider it.
Alderman Miller said: i think the
board should proceed to appoint ap-
praiseFs and ascertain the value OF the
water works plant as is provided in the
charter. There seems to be a demand
to purchase the plant. and ! think We
should ascertain what the plant viii
cost. The committees report does not
bind the board. If the appraisers do
not report value satisfactory to the
city, the board is at liberty to pursue
any course ii sees proper / see no
need Of postponement We should pro-
coed to ascertain what the plant costs
The city is required TO give il years
ri0tice to the water company before
making the purchase. The longer this
delay the further away the city is from
purchase. The Water Company has met
us in spirit Of fairness. We have held
up their water bills for a year. There
IS some probability in my mind that
the city is liable for some sort Of dam
ages for holding up these bills for such
a length Of time, as to this ] am not
certain"
Alderman Wynne: u don't think we
should hurry up this matter. II will cost
several hundred dollars to select lap-
praisers. We should be careful about
issuing more bonds. We have a big
enough debt on hand now
Alderman Miller said he did not think
the city was able to purchase the water
works. He favored ascertaining the
views Of the citizens Of Raleigh and he
saw no objection to hurrying up u
vote on the question.
The report of the Finance committee
was postponed until the next meeting
On an aye and nay vote. The ayes were
Eorrell, Crocker, Drewry. German,
Hamilton, Mcdonald, Parish. Pesram.
Redford and Wynne. Those voting nc
We're Bogasse, Cooke, Jones, Miller and
Wilder
Alderman Miller moved then that the
Board order The payment of the bill OF
the Water Company, which has been
neld up since last July. The bin amounts
to $2,400 and is rendered for water fur
nished the city for six months.
/. Quite discussion followed as to the
payment of this bill and some little feel
ing was manifested by members of the
board.