Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-04-12
An Annicable and Just Settlement
Should be Reached.
ALL INTERESTS CAN Be CONSERVED
Extension of Franchise Under Reason.
able Conditions Will Enable the
Water Company 10 Plac.
Intake Above the City.

| The existing difficulty, il such it
may be called, between the city coun-
ell and the City Water Supply COM
pany, should be brought to an AMIGA
BILE, fair and just settlement. The city
of Ottumwa cannot afford under any
circumstances to do other in this mat
ter than what is right, just and fair.
On the other hand the city council will
be commended for looking after in
every proper way the interests of the
public and protecting the interests of
the CITY,. We do not believe that the
city of Ottumwa wants to buy water
works, or if it did want to do so, that
it is now in a condition financially to
| bring this about. Certain it is that
the price that has been offered by The
council for the plant, viz, $4,000, does
not any more than cover the cost of
Improvements which have been put
into the plant since it went into the
hands of receiver, and which improve
ments were practically ordered by the
council. Sixty-fye thousand dollars
looks like very small offer for The
system of water works which have
cost one-half million dollars. Indeed,
1t can hardly be taken seriously.
The existing franchise will expire
in September, 1902, and the city of
Ottumwa must do one of two things;
it must either buy the plant at prop
er figure or it must enter into an
agreement with the company for new
| franchise, in consideration of which the
company should be required to make
such reasonable and proper improve
ments and extensions as are needed
by the growth and development of the
city. 1t certainly would not be just and
fair to ask the old company to make
all these improvements in one
year or two years. The most inn
portant improvement needed at this
time is to place the intake of water so
far above the city as TO remove any
possibility of contamination from the
sewerage OF the West End. This will
enable the city council to give to the
West End greatly needed system of
sewerage. The expense Of laying a
larger conduit SO as to place such in
take above the city, will be very heavy,
but is one which we understand the
eddy be willing to make at the earlies.
possible date and within reasonable
time specified by the council. Ever
since the appointment Of Mr.. Abram
Wing as superintendent. the wafer
works system has been ably managed
and no difficulties have arisen between
the company and the city authorities
The very fact that the Ottumwa water
works are largely owned by foreign
capital is one of the strongest reasons
why the city Of Ottumwa should be
absolutely fair and just in this mat
| ter. The bonds of the company were
widei-- scattered and the holders OF
these bonds, who now comprise the
company owning the plant, reside in
the financial centers. Ottumwa cannot
afford and should not under any cir.
cumstances do anything that looks like
repudiating any just obligation, or
that will put this matter in any other
lioht than that of insuring the mos,
entire protection and fair and just
i treatment 10 every dollar of foreign
lcapital invested here. The present city
council is composed of men of good
i business Judgment and, we believe
|have the interests OF the city sincerely
at heart. This water works question
lis question both of business and fair
ness and justice. We sincerely believe
it would be for the best interests oil
the public for the question of munich
pal ownership to be given up and that
an effort be made on the part of the
members of the council and represent
Iatives of the water company to get to-
gether upon an agreement for the
franchise and such improvements and
extensions as all recognize should be
made.