Arizona daily citizen., 1901-03-28

the enlarged system, the sentiment q
municipal ownership. which had beel
strongly rooted, began to sprout an,
spread until the people dem nded, 70
their own protection, the purchase O
the waterworks by the city. A commit
tee aseertained that Mr.. Watts woult
sell the waterworks for $4,000. TIL,
city offered sl00, 600 in five per cent in
terest bearing bonds and the deal wal
consumated, the waterworks were turn
ed over, and the struggle to place them
on sound basis began.
A careful review OF Mr.. Watts pro,
posed charges for hydrant rental, sprink.
ling service, the indefinite, uncertain
service which threatened the life of all
growing trees, was, compared with the
rates as established by the city under
the present ownership, exhorbitant and
wrought with failure and disaster. The
unprejudiced mind will appreciate the
fact, when he makes these comparisons,
that the city authorities have always
acted in the matter with the best inter
ests of the city and the taxpayers upper
most in their minds.
The cutting out Of all expenditures
for fire hydrant rental, street sprinkling
service and other water expenditures
OF the city from the general fund and
tax levy of the city must certainly affect
an appreciable difference in lowering
the tax levy on general property valua-
tions in future years. Thus will the burss
den be borne by the various districts
within the city limits that are being
furnished water for public, domestic
and fire protection.
Now that the city is in possession OF
the waterworks, collecting all water
rates for services rendered, il has so ad-
iusted the rates by proper distribution
among the consumers and the property
that receives the benefit of fire protec-
ton, as to make the service seIf-sup-
porting, without asking assistance from
the general funds of the city. Thus a
large percentage of the taxable property
OF tile city is relieved from further
assessment towards the support of the
water service and are not compelled to
pay for the fire protection which they
do not receive, an injustice which was
imposed under the old conditions.
The Stars attention is called to the
fact that the present city council has
met large number OF bills which were
left over by the democratic council
whose hands the morning paper held SO
high in the air. We have nothing but
kind words for the retired council for it
is discourteous to speak i'll Of the dead
but we wish to direct the Stars atten-
ton to number OF things which ought
TO serve to make it lenient with the new
council that has so manfully shouldered I
which should have fallen |
,pon the old council had it been as care
ul to meet its obligations as the present
council. For instance the interest upon
he $l00, 900 waterworks bonds amounted
o 81 900 and was left for the present
ouncil to pay out of the general funds.
hen there is suit brought by the
ounty to collect taxes upon the water
FORKS which is the result OF pure neg
ect of the former council-we will not
ay stupidity, for the old council is dead
nd gone now. This amounts to q, 500.
.dded to this, and aggregating $500,
, 81 200 spent by the present council for j,
the wells which supply the .
'ater for the city. These wells might
ave been improved by the old council,
nd we are surprised that the ,
tar did not notice the shortage ,
I water which existed at that time. ,
he taxes upon the property bought i
ON Rosario Brena by the old council
ere never paid until Mayor schuma-
her and the new council came in. With I
Il these things showed off onto the new !
,uncil the morning paper ought to give &
chance to pay up the old coun- n
rs debts The waterworks problem is +.
My side issue. ,..