Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-01-16
Council In Earnest About
the Matter.
City May Own Its Water Works
System.
"We've Lost Half a Million Dollars"
Said Mr.. Paul.

CounciIman-elect John Merz, of the
Fourth ward, was sworn into Office
Monday evening by Mayor Young
The new Councilman was present at
the regular meeting OF Council. He
received the congratulations Of the
members and expressed the hope that
as far as he was concerned every
thing would run smoothly.
Akron's City Council favors either
the purchase of the plan of the Akron
Water Works company or the erection
Of an independent plant by this city.
AS yet all plans are in the prelimi-
nary singe. Referring TO the matter,
Mr.. Paul said: "Up to 1901 no restric-
tlons were placed on the amount Of
capital that could be expended by
cities of Akron's class for the pur-
chasing or construction OF water works
plants Then an amendment was
smuggled through the Legislature re-
strictlng the amount to be expended
to 100000. think that this amend
ment was 'fathered by the Akron
company.
II have asked the City Clerk to
prepare Il resolution asking our Rep.
resentatlvcs at Columbus to restore
the original conditions, which gave to
cities Of Akron's class power to build
or purchase its own water works
plant At present we have one of
the most outrageous contracts that
was ever made. We are obliged to
pay rental of $4,000 year, be-
sides what Is paid by private con-
sumers. In Cleveland and Canton
In fact, in nearly all other cities the
price paid for water service is much
less. Akron has lost half n million
dollars with Its water works system.
Our service Is also poor, and the pur-
ity of the water questionable"
NOT 'CHILD'S PLAY.
Mr.. Ficbeger explained that the ac'
tlon of Council in this matter was not
In the class labeled by Mr.. Horace
C. Starr, of the Water Works COM
pnny, ns "Chllds play" ut is n
matter OF vital Importance to Akron
and her citizens" he said. 1--WE have
an option which gives us the liberty
once In five years to purchase the
plant. Our next opportunity will be
In 1908, and Councils request that
the company quote price on the
plant now, 80 that we may at once
prepare to bring the matter before
the present Legislature does not In
my mind SAVIOR OF 'Child's play We
should take action ut once. also oh.
ject to the quality Of the water with
which we are being served, It Ger
tainly contains II large per cent of
vegetable matter. Now, Council should
make the company furnish good,pure
water. or else take up the matter of
providing cur own water works
plant"
MIR. Brady said; II agree with Mr.,
Flebcger 1t IL with bad grace that
Mr.. Starr aays our actions indicate
'Chllds play We need better water
service, and should have 1t. |, for
one, will, ut nll times, raise my voice
In favor of this city's owning its own
water works plant"
TO REGULATE SALARIES.
An ordinance to amend section 451
Of the Revised Ordinances rcgulat-
Ing the salaries of city officials was
tabled, To wait until after the new
appraIsement Is made, The amend
ment regulated salaries as follows
Mayor, per year, $500; City Solicl
tor, $i,500; Treasurer, $500; Chief OF
Police, $1,000; Street Commissioner
$1,000; city Clerk, $1,000; City Civil
Engineer, Sl,so0 Fire Engineer
$1,000; Assistant Fire Engineer, $500
prlsonkeopcr, STS0; Mechanical En-
ginccr, Sl,5o0; Captain OF Fire depart
ment, 5000; lieutenant, s7SU lineman
No. l, $500; engineers. 5000; firemen
first grade, $3.50; second, $780, third
5000; fourth, S5l0; operators of Police
patrol and signal system, S720; min
ute men, 5000,
Mr.. Brady complained that the or
dlnance providing for the laying o
sidewalks ON West Cedar st was no
being enforced. He said that the side
walks were at present almost I'm
passible, and asked the City Solclto