The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1903-01-18
THE WATER WORKS COMPANY
AND THE CITY.

. AND HE Gil \.
1t has been announced that the Water
Works Company intend to submit to
the city council a proposition which, If
accepted, will decrease the rate being
paid by the city at least forty per cent.
What is the purpose of this reduction
and why is it suggested
There is not ia the South. and we
may say in the United States, a plant
which, through its charter, has greater
advantages than is possessed by the
Shreveport Water Works Company,
whose franchise will expire in 1913. 1t
is most valuable and a ready money
maker for the company, which, under
the conditions of its existence, receives
seven per cent per aa1luI1 on the
amounts outiaid In the extension and
construction Of its system of water
works and sewers. The company can
not be held blamable for this payment
of seven per cent, when money could
be obtained at 4 per eent--It is simply
one of the many advantages which are
connected with one Of the most liberal
grants ever written and Incorporated.
Under the provisions Of this grant the
company requires the city to pay $50
on each of 100 llydrants and $40 for
each additional hydrant. II has been
computed that At these rates of charges
the Water Works Company would
about absorb the revenues Of the city
and therefore from this point of view
Mayor Queries suggested the acquire
rnent by the city of the, waterWorks
plant isis well known By its readers.
the Caucasian has been an opponent Of
what is termed municipal ownership.
hut it must be patent to all thinking.
conservative citizens that if the city
should fail to absorb the WaterWorks#
plant, the Water Works Company will
absorb the city. The question then IS
simply one Of practical economy, and
in such contingency the Caucasian IS
with the city. But seriously considered.
what Is a reduction OF forty per cent
when eontrasted with or measured by
the valuable franchise for which the city
should have been granted, free of costs
and charges. the use of all water needed
for the purpose of fire and the liberal
flushing OF its cutters and streets and
for al such uses which would be public
benefits. And if the proposed reduction
TO the city Of forty per cent should pre-
vail, in what respect or essential will
the private consumers Be benefited
Would it be fair for the city TO agree
to compromise as suggested. and leave
the private consumer TO the rates fixed
by the company
Ifit#is proposed TO scale the rate
forty pc recent for the city why not
apply the same rule to the private con-
suners for water and sewer privileges
From the Caucasian $ view the Water
Works Company is. as an individual,
entitled to the fullest rights Of individ-
lials. We are not one Of those who be-
lieve that corporations have 40 soal and
should be jumped on because they
are corporations, and we concede the
fact that a corporation. as an individual.
will strive to make all the profit pos
sihle from their investment, but a cor
poration when considered in a business
sense must be expected TO conform to
The same requirements of an individual
From the Caueasiar's view Of equity
and fairness. the city council could not
accept the proposed reduction unless i
shall apply to the consumers as to the
city; nor could the city assume the
position Of relief from the Water Works
Company while the fullest requirements
are esacted from The consumers. and #
the company will not grant an equal
concession to the consumers, it viii then
devolve on the city to acquire the water
works plant as IS provided by law