Hutchinson gazette., 1901-10-10
so nth, and will take large number Of
cars. The cattle are a very good grade
OF Utah cattle,
Tho Wnter Controversy.


At last there appears to be slight
rift in the clouds which have obscured
any method Of settling the differences
between the Water, Light & Power
Comp any and the city. The committee
appointed by the commercial club and
the Water and Light committee OF the
ity council met together and formulated
the following joint reports
To the Mayor and City Council, Hutch
inson, Kansas,
"Gentlemen; We, the Water and
Light committee, met Oct. 4, 1901, in
conference with committee Of CONNER
cial Club, in pursuance Of resolution
adopted by Commercial Club,
I'VE jointly suggest to the honorable
mayor and council the following, re-
qucsting council TO modify or add there
to, as they may see fit and recommend
cton along lines below named.
"First, That the water company be in.
ilt d TO sui to the City an clier for
its plant, notifying them that
the following requirements would be
laid down as condition 10 negotla-
tions,
"Condition l; To make report as re
quired by statute.
Condition 2; That the city will not in
cur any liability in such purchase that
will cause expenditure of money in ad-
vance of the earnings Of the plant or in
excess of such earnings.
Condition 8; That City would not
pay any cash, and any bonds It may Is
sue, 10 bear interest at not to exceed
four per cent.
Condition q; City desires to reserve
the right, If not satisfied with company's
valuation, 10 employ competent en-
gineer to verify such values, and report
condition of plant.
Condition s; City will expect such a
p rice that income OF plant will insure
p ayment,
First, Of all fixed charges of opera.
ton, and interest on the purchase price,
and present outstanding bonds.
"Second, 10 insure an immediate rea-
sonable reduction Of rates TO consumers,
Third, To insure the gradual ex,inc.
tion Of taxes now levied to pay hydrant
rental and lights.
"Fourh, To lay aside a reasonable
sinking fund for the payment Of pur-
chase price; bonds, If issued to be so ar.
anged that such sinking fund can be
used for such purpose, fast as accumu-
lated.
Fifth, Whereas, the quality of the
W ater is doubtful, hence, the city would
wish to retain sufficient portion of pur-
chase money for the new pumping sta
tion, six months, until 1t determined
If new pumping station is necessary,
and If so, such sum TO revert to the City
for that purpose"
To casual reader Of the above re-
port it would appear to be very fair
proposition. What very thorough and
searching examination might reveal is
different thing. But without doubt in
the main it seems to take very good care
of the city interests, The remarkable
thing about 1t however is that the city
as one of the leading councilmen states
h as repeatedly urged the company 10
co ommence suit 10 test the validity of the
franchise and sundry contracts. In
stead the company has replied by prop.
osition to sell to the city.
This may appear like a reckless as
sertion but there is no doubt but that the
investigation instituted by MIR. Bigger
was at the suggestion of the company.
One thing in this line that is significant
is the fact that this committee of the
commercial club that agreed to the de-
mands of the water and light committee
was appointed by the vice president of
the company, Mr.. Conklin and he him
self signed the report. Ofcourse it may
be that the negotiations will come to
nothing but the start appear to be quite
auspicious. The whole question is a
matter of price, for if the plant can be
purchased reasonably there is no doubt
that the people will vote the bonds re-
quired for the purchase.
The GAZETTE has a remarkable offer