, 1902-11-03
SYM0MS
MAKES A SPECIAL PLEA AGAINST
VOTING OF WATER
BONDS.
Suggests That the City Charge for Wa
ter When Used for Irrigation Pur-
poses-His Arguments Answered
in Some Detail-We Cannot Have
Anything Of Value Unless We Pay
for 1t.

Editor Republican,:
1t is not at all strange that all PEG,
pie do not think alike. especially when
they are asked to saddle upon them.
selves another bonded Indebtedness OF
500. 100000 for the purpose of con
maintaining a system of water works
when we already have a system OF
water works which costs us nothing.
1t is not, therefore. a matter of neces,
sity, but simply a question of eXpe,
diency whether or not it is wise for us.
at the present time. to throw away
what we have. and expend large sums
Of money for a new water system. II
is my opinion that the people will o
suit their best interests by voting
Against Water Bonds" for the fol,
lowing reasons:
First. Because the people have a
right to know how their money vii
be expended. We don't know whether
it is proposed to use this money in
constructing a reservoir at the city
springs. or in laying a new main pipe
and laterals. Or in the construction O
a new water system from the Lara
mic River in such a manner as to use
the un~der-current, or otherwise. or
what it will cost to make any or all
of these contemplated improvements.
No plans and specifications or esti-
mates have been submitted to the city
council, and to the best of my infor-
nation and belief no effort has been
made to obtain the same. and every
body Is in doubt as to the manner in
which the 100000 or any portion
thereof, will be expended.
Second. This question is Of suf-
ficient importance to submit to the
people at a special election after the
question has been fully discussed pro
and con. and in the meantime the city
authorities might C u the services
of some competent engineer to prepare
suitable plans and specifications and
also an estimate of the cost. and then
the city authorities would be in a posi-
ton to submit the question to the peo-
pie, and the people would be in a po-
sition to vote upon the question intelli-
gently, and not otherwise.
Third. Because the proposed bonds
are to draw interest at the rate of five
per cent per annum. Why not make
the interest payable semi-annually.
and then it would be an easy matter
to sell four per cen bonds, and thus
save the people $1,000 each year on
account of interest.
Fourth. Because the present water
system is ample for all purposes eX.
cept irrigation, and if any person de
pose than he is entitled to use under
our present city ordinances. 1t woul'
be an easy matter for the city council
to provide for this by passing
an ordinance requiring the consumer
to pay for the water which he uses for
irrigation-the amount so paid to be
governed by the size of the lot.
Fifth. We would not secure a great
er supply of water by increasing the
size of the water main. While Mr.. A.
E. Miller was mayor. Mr.. E, Stenger,
a competent engineer of Denver. by
request OF the city council. visited the
city springs in company with the
ficers and members of the city council.
and Mr.. Stenger then and there demon
strated to their satisfaction that the
present twelve-inch pipe is sufficient
to carry all the water furnished by the
city springs. What then is the use o
spending thousands of dollars in lay
ing a new pipe when our present pipe
iE large enough?
What assurance have we that $780,
| 900 is sufficient to make the contem-
plated improvements. and who will
guarantee that the people will not be
called upon to vote another issue OF
bonds for this same purpose?
Sixth. Because our city taxes are
large enough now without any add,
tional burdens. During the past two
years one-half of our city taxes have
been used in paying interest on our
bonded Indebtedness. and we think
that it would be wise to pay off some
of this Indebtedness before mourning
any further Indebtedness, especially
when the great majority Of the people
appear to be satisfied with our pres
ent water system-at least there is nc
complaint to our knowledge.
Seventh. Because the Union Pacific
railroad company under the present
contract is obliged to keep the water
main in repair at its own expense
What is the use Of buying a cow wher
we have free milk. and what sens II
there in buying a water pipe and keep
ing the same in repair when we have
free water? These questions require
M o-ou,or, tbo,, gipop1y ,hou, tbo ,b