The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-09-13

myn Water company, which said
company has been using for over fifteen
years.
In it's answer, the city scis forth that
the present water supply is Inadequate
and unsatisfactory and that the rates
charged are exorbtant. A municipal
water works is demanded. 1t is claimed,
and tle city has proceeded and is
proceeding regularly to construct one.
Much of the testimony yesterday had
the flavor of semi-centennial news
paper articles. 1t dealt with the origin
of the crystal Lake company, and had
as it's purpose the demonstration of the
fact that tho company deserves better
treatment at the hands of Carbondal-
ilns than that which the city proposes
giving it.
FACTS ABOUT THE COMPANY.
George Il. Jermyn, sccrctary-treas-
mer of the Consolidated company; J.
| w Fowler it's vice president; A. II.
| Christy, cashier of the County Trust
and Safe Deposit company, and Thom-
as B. Nannan, collector for the CONF
pany, were called to testify to the
charters. financing and property of the
water companies. after which William
| Tiets, L. II. Durfee and IL. r. Jadwin
| Interestingly told of the birth and
| growth of the crystal Lake COM
pany.
From their stories. 1t appears, the
| Crystal Lake company was at the out
set sort OF community affair. Car
| bOndalc had no means of lighting fires
other than by stretching hose from
| the LackaWanna river or Racket brook
and pumping water with the aid of the
81. Columbia hand engine. which, it
| viii he remembered, attracted SO much
attention i'm the hrcmens parade in
connection with the scmi-contennial.
| Beginning with the big fire of Sep
tcmbcr IL. 1886, there were three con-
fagrations, within twenty-five months,
which laid a good sized portion Of the
business district in ruins and sent in
surance rates up to prohlbitive figures.
Some companies charged seven per
cent. ana some other companies re-
fused to take business at any price.
II. Il. Jadwin. James Brennan and
a. Il. Durfee, together with other citi-
2ens, undertook the formation of a
water company to furnish n supply for
fire fighting Superintendent Manville
IaGrccd To let the city have the use OF
the reservoir at the top OF No. l hill,
providing the company's shops should
be supplied free. A ten-inCh main
made of sheet iron, Ccmcnted inside
and out, was laid from the reservoir
to the intersection Of Main street and
| church avenue. An eight -snCh pipe
was carried down Main street and a
siX-inCh pipe down church. Hy-
drants were put in at frequent inter-
Nals The plant cost $4,000. 1t was
lpaid for by popular subscription. Busi-
ness men on Main street each SUBJ
scribed to $500 worth of stock, and
those ON church avenue took 5000
worth apiece. Some few of the wealth
icr citizens subscribed for larger
blocks. Superintendent Nandling took
81 OO0 worth and j. B. Van Bergen $500
worth.
INSURANCE RATES DROPPED.
Immediately upon the completion Of
the water plant the insurance rates
dropped to normal figures.
| In CrOSs-cXamining Mr.. Durfcc, Mr.
NcwComb adduccd the. fact that this
company with its humble beginning
was not a bad investment after all foI
those who subscribed to its stock, Mr.
Durfcc had siXty-four shares which he
bought a shade under par, which was
) 80. He sold out to the Consolidated
company a 10 for /. once he received
a one hundred per cent. stock dividend
and afterwards drew twenty per cent
,.,l 4 L IL