The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-06-16
For the Democratic Advocate.
What $4,000 Gould Do.

MEssRs. EDITORS | noticed in your last
issue an account of the incorporation OF a
company whose chief object is to furnish
water to the city of Westminster and the IN
habitants thereof 1t occurs to me that two
water companies cannot exist in so small a
place as Westminster. | am in no way con
nected with the present company, and know
nothing of its receipts and expenditures or Inc
number of patrons it has. believe, how
ever, that for some years no dividends were
paid upon the stock, aud but two have been
paid under the present management, which
has had to expend considerable amount IA
improvements. If an correct in this, II Is
reasonably sure that another company would
not fare any better.
If the water business of the town will not
support properly company with $40, 600 cap
ital, what can be the result 1t another com
pany with $40, 900 capital enters the held
Should it succeed m getting two-thlrds OF new
business and get one third of the business OF
the present or old company. ! can see moth
ing in the future but $50. 900 making no re
turn to stockholders Competition may
cheaper water to consumers, which would he
a benefit to water users, but We do not believe
the citizens of Westminster want to proht at
the expense of men with enterprise enough to
put their money in public Improvements.
Every person is entitled to a fair return for
money invested, Just as every merchant Is en-
titled to profit upon his goods and every
mechanic and laboriug man to living wages.
The present water company supplies the
people with pure water and in ample abund-
anee and in all its existence has always main
tanned a supply equal to all demands when
fires have occurred. The rates may be high,
as compared to rents elsewhere, but SO has
been the price of gas. Gas at one time was
$500 a thousand feet. The management
have gradually reduced it to $500, which Is
still IS cents higher than Is charged in many
other places Still, the company pays but
per cent. annual dividend, and no one, SO
far, has thought of starting another gas com
pany Ii would not be fair To do 50. 1t one
gas company cannot pay more than per
cent. upon its stock, the inauguration OF a
new company would result in neither making
any return to stockholders. 1t would he just
the same with two water compauies-nelther
paving dividends on stock.
Westminster has excellent gas, pare water,
ice equal Ia any manufactured and an cleo
Ire light plant that furnishes excellent light.
None of these industries pay much return 20
stockholders, but they are comfort To- the
citizens aud give to every visitor 10 the city
good impressions of Westminster. Ia these
lines Of enterprise nothing more Is needed.
except cheaper rates, and these viii come iit
time. To undertake 10 duplicate amy one Of
these plants means a total loss 20 the old and
the duplicate.
am very glad 10 see the gentlemen CON
nected with the new water company taking an
interest ia Westminster. Their enterprise,
however, il seems 10 me. IS mlsdrecied.
What Westminster needs Is some manu'ac'or-
les, TO give employment to labor. IL "a'is
houses, small and neat, and furnished, tor
summer guests Forty thousand dollar
would start at least four small iudusirles, ear
ployiug from - to - persons. Forty tbons-
and dollars would purchase eligible sites and
erect and furnish forty summer cottages. and
forty families. spending front four % SIX
months here. would hearfit every business ma"
IN Westminster. and materially all the gas,
water aud ice companies. Forty thousand
dollars put into the proposed railroad isnsn
Washington, via Westminster. 10 6eifyshHrs,
would almost uSure is building.
Don't destroy what Ne have los eomG'riIilHa
Rather. let new enterprises L.. sI-.iie-i y
community ~ small d lh5s should p. a anH
in energy and prog es-. rather tbau have
els,Shiag interests aud ds.ath-,ieaiing e"mI'rH-
tiuu. ENTtEFEiSE
Wegmiaster, JuHe -.