Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-06-17

water been filtered during all these
long years? Certainly we have been
given to understand that the company
has had in actual operation a very fine
filter system. If that is the case, it
does not appear to have been effectual.
We are now told that, in case the COM
pany is left in control of its dividends,
it will put in q new filter that will
strain the water much finer than the
Old one. 1t is to be observed that the
| company has really nothing new to Of
fer in the way of supply. That is
| to be the same old thing. viz:
RIVER WATER! River Water!!
RIVER WATER!!!
This to Il people not yet recovered
| from the terrible effects of a horrible
| typhoid epidemic, and living in one of
| the finest lake regions in all New Eng
| land.
But the officials of the company, and
those enlisted in their cause, tell us
that it would be terribly expensive
thing for the people to own and operate
their own water works. Funny, isn't
it. that they should be so anxious to
hold on to it?
The people cannot be deceived. Those
who undertake to work this bluff
grievously underestimate their intelli-
gence. They know full we'll that plant
which pays handsome dividends to a
corporation will also be a money maker
for the people.
If this We're not so, the corporation
would not be moving heaven and earth
to retain their grip upon it.
The same cry of wolf. wolf. has
been made in every city where the
people have acquired their own water
systems; but in no instance have such
predictions come true. In every place
in Maine where the people have ac
qured their own water system they
have profited by it, Notwithstanding
the oolefuI predictions of the corpora
tons who have, naturally, been loath
to give up their dividends.
The city of Augusta can borrow
money considerably cheaper than the
corporation. If, therefore, the corpora
ton is able to pay the interest charges
on it's bonds, and put thousands of dol
lars annually into the pockets of its
stockholders in the way of dividends.
it would be amazing indeed if the
Htp!lit VI aug tSl't iltl Il''l ItfiilLf II
handsome profit by owning and opcrat-
ing their own water system.
The people of Auburn were told Of
the terrible financial disasters that
would ovcrtake them if they had the
courage to take and operate their own
water system; but they We're not fright
ened by them. Did those dolefuI
prophecies come true? Not 4 bit Of
it. Municipal ownership was a success
there from the start, as it has been in
every community, and. today, the pco-
pie of Auburn are getting a beautifully
pure water supply for about half what
the people of Augusta are paying for
the sewer polluted water of the Ken
nebec river.
Water is a necessity of life. The
people and not the corporations should
own it.
The people of Augusta viii be given
an opportunity on Monday, June %,
to say whether they will own their own
water system, or whether they will con-
tinue to pay tribute to the corporation.
There can be little doubt as to what
their answer will be. Every effort will
he made by the corporation to hold its
grip, for the Augusta Water Works rs
one of the best paying plants in New
England.
Alone in the booth, responsible to
no ono. ana actuated only by a desire
to do what is best for the community
not only now but for all the years to
come, there is every reason to believe
that the voters of this city will turn
their backs upon the corporation, and
give their ballots in support of the
peoples cause.
ONE OF THE PEOPLE.