The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-06-27
Advertiser Bureau,

Mobile, June 26.
 The storm after the calm has come again and the police department is now almost nightly in receipt of complaints of prowlers around premises and attempts 10 effect entrance. The case of the negro Willie Sherman who was caught in a room at the residence of Captain Thomas Riley on Government Street, an account of which appeared in yesterdays Adver- tiser Is. perhaps, the most serious re- ported recently. His trial hes been set for next Tuesday in the Inferior Criminal Court.
 The latest complaint is from G. E. Sargent. southeast corner of Church Street and Futile Avenue very near the residence of Captain Riley. MT. Sargent reported to Policeman Adams and Geb- hard that some one entered his premises between 10 and Il o'clock last night, but was frightened off. He could not say that anything had been taken from the house.
 Tn this mornings Advertiser your repre- sentative referred to the matter of the Bienville Water Supply Company and the rumor of a proposed purchase of same by the city of Mobile.
 Investigation this morning reveals a decidedly delicate situation as regards this matter. As previously noted there was for long time. prior to three years ago, an effort made, on the part of people in terested in the welfare of the city, on the one side. and others interested in the Bienville Company, to dispose of or transfer by sale to the city. this water works property Failing to reach a deal the city built it's own plant and is now operating it, having a large majority of the connections in Mobile for supplying water to consumers.
 With the opposition company in the field Mobile Is enjoying the distinction of a lower water rate to. consumers, by far. than any other Southern city. This be- ing true. the people are beneficiaries In this particular while. on the other hand the Bienville Company and the city com pany are doing business on an unsatis- factory business plane. In other words the city is losing money and the Bienville is not making any.
 Last year the general council, by special enactment. decided to accept proposi- ton looking to an appraisement of the Bienville property and the superinten- dent. Mir. Sullivan was one of the ap- praisers. After a thorough going over of the figures the appraisers named $6l6.- 600 as fair valuation for the property. It was thought the city might purchase the property and thus do away with the competitor who was forcing 1t to do busi- ness on an unpTOHldDlS DdSlS IL oOCiiS' however. that this figure was looked upon as too high and the matter of purchase was left in statu quo.
 Your representative has ascertafned that the Bienville Company has given its property in for taxation at $S000O. despite the valuation of s616.OOO by the appraisers. Tax Commissioner Friend has recom- mended to the Board of Revenue and Road Commissioners an increase of the assessment to s2S0,000 This recommenda ton will be acted upon by that body July 20. next Walter Wood secretary of the Bienville Company. came to Mobile from Philadelphia last week with the view of having a conference with the. Commmittee on Waterworks of the General Council. the mayor and chairman of the general Council The conference was intended to be held yesterday. but only two of the five members of the committee were present and the conference was called of. The informal discussion which followed could not be ascertained, but your rep resentative is reliably informed that Mir. wood has returned to Philadelphia to consult with the stockholders and directors as to either an outright sale or longtime lease of the property to the city, MT Wood will return to Mobile fin a couple of weeks and then. it is ex- pected, conference win be held.
 Some in Mobile while having the citys