Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-01-30
WATER WORKS.
Question Revived.
Mr.. Fiebeger Gave Some
Statistics,
Relating to the Cost and
Taxation
Of the Plant Of Akron Water
Works Company.
Will be Submitted to Vote al April
Election-counciI Proceedings.

Mr.. Fiebegcr brought up the water
works question at City Council meet
ing Monday night. and urged that the
matter he submitted TO a Tote o. the
people at the April election
He also asked that the City Cou.uiis-
sioners secure, at their earliest con-
yenience. from the Water Works COM
pany a price on their plant. lie sus-
gested that If this information could
he secured in no other way. that the
Commissioners visit the principal pro-
prietors of the plant-Berry Bros. of
Detroit. These suggestions were fin-
ally presented IN the form of q motion
and carried
a resolution to submit petition to
the Legislature, asking that the law
limiting the amount of money, for
which city may issue bonds to build
n water works plant, to $4,000. be
amended, and that Representatives
Sieber and Seese be asked to use their
influence in bringing about the pass
age of the amendment. was adopted
Mr.. Fiebeger submitted figures in
comparing statistics of other cities
with those of Akron, relative to the
cost OF water works plants, their
operation. and cost sof water.
Among other Elites. Youngstown
was cited. Its water works plant
cost the city S64l.5:5.Oa: the present
Indebtedness on the plant is $780,
10000; cost Of operating and for re-
pairs, per year. ~sz1.7s7.a9: receipts
and revenues, s4a3gl.1l; excess s'of
receipts oversexpenditures, ss2.ITa6a;
deducting per cent interest on in
debtedness, s9,aoO.oO; net profit. S.
5sT.4D. =.
Akron receives form the water
works company, in the shape Of taxes,
S3.3OO.6l. per year. This city pays in
rent for hydrants and buildings, in
cluding schools. S13.65T.I6.
The Akron Water Works company
was bonded in 1850 for 100000; in
1891, it was increased 100000 more,
and in 1899 another S2OO, ZOO has been
added for future extension.
Bonds from 1891 to 1895. 100000.
This would show, approximately, the
value Of the plant, which, if taxed on
n basis of 60 per cent, as is done with
other property, would make the tax
value of the system $4,000.
The tax value in 1890 was S77.77o:
taxes received. S1,997.5s.
In 1898, the tax value was $780,
800; taxes received, S3.300.64.
After submitting the figures,
Mr.. Fiebeger said that the
company did not pay to this city more
than half what was due it, in the way
Of taxes.
Now" he concluded. ''if the COM
pany gets ON its high horse. and when
we ask for a price on the plant, it
quotes an exceptionally high figure,
we will then ask that the company
pay to this city tax ON the value it
states"
Remarks on the Water Works aues-
tion were also made by Messrs. Paul
and Carlton. Mr.. Carlton suggested
that the price of the plant be asccr-
tanned by n committee of three ap-
praisers--one to be selected by the city,
the other by the company, and they
TO select third.
All action to be taken in this matter
ut present is preliminary to final steps
to be taken in 1905, when this city has
an option on the plant.
THE LAST STEP.
Conncilmanic. proceedings in the
East Market st. improvement legisla-
tlon is apparently al an end. An ordi'
nance to rescind the resolution by
which bond issue was directed. at
Council meeting two weeks ago. was
adopted. This was necessary by rea-
son of the action taken by the North
ern Ohio Traction company. relative
TO its share of the cost OF improving
the street. But matters have been
satisfactorily arranged between this
city and the company, and at Cieve-
land. Jan. 26. the directors OF the com
pany passed a resolution, waiving any
objections to Irregularities which
may appear in the legislative proceed
ings toward the Improvement OF the
street. The original contract with the
,.o,on,nv xvaS that n yxouIf nav Ills