Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-11-16
THE WATERWORKS
OFFER OF $4,000 SOMEWHAT
ALTERS THE SITUATION.
The Original Sherwood Resolution Was Calcu
lated to Scare Off Purchasers Unacquanted
With Value Of the Plant. Offer Of Koehler
and Mason Surprises the Bears.

Since the offer of Messrs. Koehler ant
Mason of $l50.000 for the city wate
system, it is matter of some conjecture
as TO whethe. the original resolution pre-
pared by Councilman Sherwood was the
result of defective judgment as to the
value OF the system, or desire to pur
chase at low valuation, as suggested in
Mayor Vests refusal to approve the reso.
luton. Below is printed the original
resolution and the letter of Mayor West:
RESOLUTION
Whereas, the city council of the city Of
Aberdeen has determined by careful in
vestigation that the system Of waterworks
of said city cannot be operated by said
city so as to repay the cost and expense
OF operation and interest on the capital
therein, and the necessary depreciation
thereof. together with extensions, and
that the said waterworks system threat
ems to become burdensome charge upon
the taxpayers of said city, and within a
short time sinking fund must be COM
menced to meet the bonded debt upon
said waterworks system, and by reason
of many other causes not herein specifi-
cally set forth. Now therefore,
Be 1t Resolved, That the said city
council hereby declares its intention Of
proceeding by ordinance 20 cali an cleo.
ton Of the qualified voters of said city to
submit to the said voters the proposition,
shall Or shall net the city of Aberdeen
sell and dispose OF its waterworks system
for sum of not less than 100000, the
money from said sale to be applied upon
the bonded debt OF said city.
MAYOR WEST DIsAPPRovEs
In declining to approve this resolution,
Mayor West gave the following reasons:
City Council City of Aberdeen
Gentlemen-I herewith return the "Res-
olution" in relation to the sale Of the
waterworks, passed by your honorable
body on Nov. 4, without approval for the
following reasons:
First-I do not agree with the state
ment made in the resolution to the effect
that it cannot be operated by said city
so as to pay cost and expense OF opera
ton, interest on investment, deprecia-
ton thereof together with extensions.
Second-I do not agree with your hon
orable body that it is likely to become a
burdensome charge on the taxpayers
within short time.
Thrd-I do believe that properly
handled the waterworks can he made to
pay all expenses and pay the bonded in.
debtedness of same. Further desire to
call your careful attention to the wording
OF the resolution, and ask if you would
wish to see it in public print. Gentle
men, in my judgment it would be finan-
cial suicide for the city even ii you were
going to sell it, What business man ever
advertised that he wanted to sell a prop
erty because it would not pay expenses
l further wish to call your attention to the
fact that three months ago it was pub
lie talk on the streets that it could be
sold for 5000, 200. Now from the wording
of the resolution it looks as if you wanted
to discourage possible buyer from pay.
ing so much money for worthless prop
erty. l do not believe that that was
your intention but the resolution reads
very much that way.
will say that no philanthrophist is
likely to buy the plant to furnish the peo-
pie with cheap water. That being the case
why not adjust the water rates to con-
form to the expenses, as any business
man or company who would purchase
the plant would do? believe that upon
due consideration YOU will agree with
me that no one will purchase the plant
and run it at loss, that being the case
why not pay to the city for water price
that will maintain and improve the
plant, it is all in the hands Of the coun
Gil and would hate to admit to the
werld that Aberdeen had men on thu
council that had not enough OF bushes!
ability to adjust their rates to payihi
basis.
For the foregoing reasons return res
olution without approval. Very respect
fully, A. J. WEST. Mayor.
The position taken by the mayor is il
direct line with that advocated bv TIN
HERALD, that by proper management tin
water system will pay the city, and thu
remarks OF Mayor West upon the efior
of the resolution to depreciate the valu'
of the plant afford food for thought. Tn
reason given by Councilman Sherwoo,
for the wording OF the resolution, "tha
the language was required by tn
statutes" silly as it was, appeared to b.
swallowed by the council.
While the offer OF $3.50, 900 adds one