The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1901-04-13
THE WATER QUESTION

The question OF water Tor tiFo pTotec-
ton for the town is now up TO the board
Oftrustees. The water company, through
its representative, James Graham, has
issued its ultimatum 10 the town officers.
II will permit the town, in case Of fire,
20 use the water in the tank, and the
trustees are given to understand that il
the town wishes good and efficient SER
vice, il must pay the company $500 a
year, or one-half OF the revenue received
from all sources. The water works sys-
TEN was originally put in by the town
site company for the purpose Of making
u sale for their lots. The later history Of
the plant is familiar to most OF our peo-
pie. II was managed by C. A. DeSaus-
sure for several years. when he went
into bankruptcy and the plant passed
into the hands OF \. s. Paul. trustee for
DeS.iussure, who later sold il 10 James
Graham, the deed being made to James
Monaghan, who is one OF the original
owners OF the plant and townsite. The
present owners claim that the plant has
never paid interest on the investment;
hut at the price which was paid Mr..
Paul. including the indebtedness against
them-$6, 201 for both the water works
and light plant-it would seem that with
proper management they will pay n fair
rate OF interest on this amount; but that
has no bearing on the situation so far as
the town is concerned, for the present
owners and their representative were the
loudest in their cries for economy and re-
trenchment when it es.l.ae 20 question
nj shaving the interest OF Of town war
rants held by other people. Their
chickens have now come home to roOst
the shoe is on the other foot-and il
pinehes. Economy is no longer their
cry, but the question Is, how can We get
our hands into the public treasury, now
that the town is in better financial con-
dition and there is prospect OF rrduc-
zion OF fakes. The laws OF Idaho require
water companies to furnish water free to
the extent OF their facilities in case OF
fire. The question has been decided in
favor ofthe towns by the supreme court,
and it is the opinion OF an able LAWYER,
Mr.. C.. L. Hoffman, that CRur d. Alene can
compei this company to DO the same.
Tue people demand this protection and
expect the board Of trustees to do its
duty in the matter. We might rs we'll
know now whether or not the water COM
pany will he permitted to fiddle while
Coenr d'Alcne burns. II the matter is
decided against the people in the courts,
it will then be the proper time to pro-
ceed to bond the town fer the purchase
1f these plants at fair profit over the
cost price 20 the present owners or for
the the putting in Of new system. This
is a case where The :ssu has the adyant-
age a. it did in the warrant matter-it
can dictate terms to the company and
pay its face value for the plants or build
others and make the private concern
worthless. But We do not wish to see
the town deal unfairly with these people,
and in case the question resolved itself
into one OF purchase or build anew, we
believe it would lie best to allow fair
profit over the above figures for the
plants. The people expect the board of
trustees 10 proceed to test this matter IN
court Without delay, as it is not unlikely
the water company would carry out its
threats and let the whole toN n Le de-
siroyed by FIRE for want Of water. Mr..
Graham boosted publicly that he never
started after anything and did not get it.
With this challenge thrown down to il,
the duty Of the board is plain. 1t is a
case OF the town asking tor that which
is granted it by law, and being refused
lay persons who are laboring under the
deIusion that they have the people in
their power.