Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1902-09-04
WATER WORKS.
Franchise to be Granted J. A,
johnson and James Ken
nedy. of Fargo, to Put
in Water Works.
Also an Electric Light, Power
and Heating Plant.

The question of water supply for fire
protection and for domestic use is one
OF the economic problems which has
been seriously considered by the town
board OF trustees for the past year or so,
with no definite results, for the reason
the board could not see it's way clear on a
financial line. But now. solution of
the problem is at hand. ]. A. johnson.
ex-mayor Of Fargo. has submitted to
the authorities Of Williston proposition
to put in system Of water works that
will be modern and up to date in all it's
appointments. In connection with the
water system. he proposes also to put in
al electric light plant. for the purpose
OF lighting the city with arc lights. and
furnishing lighting system for business
houses and residences. The proposed
cost to the city for 10 hydrants will be
81 ,O2O per year, and for 10 arc lights of
1900 candle power each, will be 81 200
per year, making total cost to the city
per year of about s., 200, year. This
amount will have to be raised by spe-
cial tax levy upon the taxable property
OF the town. and will amount to little
more than 81 90 on thousand based up.
on an assessed valuation of $500 900.
In every community there are certain
number of "kickers'' who always Oh.
pose any advanced movement in public
improvements unless they are the au.
thors Of it. But let US figure up and see
whether the taxpayer will win or lose
on this proposition:
Each family in the town uses on an
average 100 barrels of water per year at
zoe per barrel, making total expense
Of $500 per year. Now. under the va.
ter works system the family living in
four.room house will have to pay $3.50
per quarter, or $1,000 per year. for all
the water they wish to use, thus saving
1890 per year in the item of water
alone. II your property is assessed at
81 1000, and you pay $500 extra taxes
for the towns supply of water for fire
protection, you are still $500 winner on
the water proposition. to say nothing of
seven or eight dollars saved on insur.
ance.
In the matter of lighting the company
propose to furnish 16.candle power in.
candescent lights at Is cents per 1000
watts. The average light will consume
about Is watts per hour, or in other
words, you can have over 6 consecutive
hours Of light for Is cents. At an aver.
age Of FIVE hours q day this would last
you Is days. In the same length of time
under our present system you would
consume at least three gallons of kero.
sene oil at q cost of Is cents. Thus. the
savings in the matter Of light would be
at least 500 per month. or $500 per
year. Making total saving, over and
above the extra amount of your taxes,
of from 81 90 to $500 per year. Now,
Mr.. Taxpayer, what do you think of itf
While the taxpayers of Williston are
paying in extra taxes $500 q year for
the maintenance of . system of water
works and lighting for the benefit of the
public, they will be saving to them
selves, over and above those taxes, more
than s., 400. besides two or three thous-
and dollars in decreased insurance on
account of fire protection.
With these facts and figures before US,
would it be good business method to re-.
fuse franchise 10 company that would
bring us such good results?
The proposed franchise is not an ex.
elusive one, and does not preclude any
company from putting in lighting plant
or water works il they wish.