The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1900-03-22
The Water Question.

the ordinance granting the Osk aloosa
Water Company an extension of their
franchise. In the first agreement or
ordinance, No. 202, it was claimed
that the Interests of the city and also
the citizens were not fully protected
but whether that was true or not the
voters refused to ratify it. Then we
had meeting of citizens as you will
remember and from that meeting
ordinance No. 206 was formulated
and it was agreed on all sides that
decided improvement had been made.
But there was evidently in the opin-
ion of the voters certain something
yet lacking, SO they with small
margin again defeated the proposi-
ton. The only Objectionable points
made public in this No. 206. or
dinance have now alls been eliminat-
ed, and the proposition as it now
stands in shape as ordinance No. 207
would appear to have all the requisite
conditions that have or may be con-
tended for. Therefore it is a reason
able proposition to conclude that
ordinance No. 207 should carry by
large majority; and it will if the citi
zens take the interest in it they
should. Men who have heretofore
had objections and freely expressed
them have no hesitancy in now say
ing they are fully and fairly protect
ed and that they now intend to sup
port the proposition, giving as their
reasons that the new rates and lower
rates should be put in effect as soon
as possible and that the contemplate
ed improvements will be a great ben
lift to our laboring population, as the
improvements will disburse among
them no less than $780, 900 in the en-
suing year and as much as SIS, 900 to
citizens furnishing the required sup
plies. 1t is well known fact that
this Improvement is necessary not
only to furnish the needed employ
ment to our labors and mechanics,
but the property owners need and
are entitled to better fire protec-
lion.
The men who oppose this PROPOSE
ton are in what believe to be
very queer position, on the pretext
of opposing the Water Co. they
give aid and comfort right where
they think they are in opposition be-
cause unless we adopt this ordinance
with its reduced schedule the Water
Company goes right along charging
the old and much higher rates; and
will continue to do so as long as they
are kept in the present condition.
And if the Water Company should
desire to so continue they could not
do better than to employ the present
opposition, for there is not shad-
dow of doubt but what their work is
favorable to them. Maybe they have
got them, but hardly think so.
Municipal ownership, it is asserted,
is much better, possibly that is true,
but no man who has taken the trouble
to investigate that subject will assert
that the city is at present in condi-
tor to assume any additional fin
ancial obligation; for the fact is the
city is now up to or past the law
full debt limit. But at any time in
the future should the citizens and
city be in condition to purchase the
plant, full and complete rights and
are provided in this
ordinance. In truth it is very favor
able to the city. Objections have
been made to this Water company
because, as the directors assert, it is
a foreign corporation, bleeds the peo-
pie and carries the money away from
home. This tommy rot ought to be
set down on so hard as to stop it.
The Board of Trade and our real
estate operators, and citizens in
are making their best efforts
to induce outside capital to come in
to Oskaloosa; offering to pay and
paying a bonus whenever the OPP
portunity offers to get these so called
foreign corporations to locate in our
city. Now if it can not be shown
that investors can make and are en-
titled to good profit on their money,
then would nobody come and espe-
cialy if after they had made their in
vestments the best terms to be ap-
piled to them would be "leeches,"
blood suckers" and foreigners"
s .op this and get together on a more
intelligent and enlightened basis.
There is a chance for a large in
crease in our population together
with additional manufacturing enter
prizes, but if you jump onto this
Water company and prevent them
from making the desired improve
ments and disbursing fully $4,000
in our city this coming year, you ex-
hibit the dog in the manger character
to the extent you would not be en-
titled to consideration from the
very source you desire to be benefit
ed by; outside or foreign capital.
have no personal friends or even
acquaintances that are connected
with the Water company, but they
should have fair and honest deal,
and as before stated the ordinance
No. 207. is all right, covering every
essential point that is required to
protect the city. Let's quit being
] ieal and get down to the practical