Morris tribune., 1903-02-21

to say that he has any personal
knowledge or good opinion of the
value of the property, proposed to be
purchased.
i Once, when Mr.. Fowler spoke with
me in relation to the matter, sug-
gested to him that it seemed to me
desirable that he file with the village
recorder verified statements, showing
the cost value of the property, It's an
nual operating expenses, it's gross
earnings, ETC., in order that the tax
payers and all the citizens of this vii
lage may intelligently consider
whether or not he is offering the vii
lage fair bargain; but 80 far as I
am able to learn, the people are be-
ing asked to vote to purchase the
property, at the price asked for it,
without knowledge of it's real value
without any information enabling
the voters to form an intelligent
judgment about the ACCESSIBILITY Of
the purchase.
/ am told that the two chief argu-
ments, oftenest put forth in favor of
the village purchasing the property,
are (D that its purch ase will save an
annual gasoline bill of somewhere in
the neighborhood of $l25 per month,
and (2) the salary of man at the
waterworks pumping station, which
have heard usually spoken of as
ABOUT $500 per annum. This feature
of the matter is usually spoken of in
a way to convey the impression that
the gasoline expenditure has hitherto
been and in the future will be essen
tial to the operation of the water
works pumping station, but touching
this particular point, venture to
suggest that if the electric lighting
property is not purchased, either the
Fowler Electric Lighting Co, or Syl-
vester Stewart will be perfectly will
ing to contract with this village for a
term of either five or ten years, to
furnish electric power equal in horse
power to the power now used, for
water-works pumping purposes at an
annual cost of about $500 and if this
be so, there will, Gin such CASEY be no
occasion for the alleged annual gaso-
line expenditure.
If the village can make such con-
tract for electric power to operate its
pumping station, thus saving annual
ly $1,000, why not do it and invest the
annual saving thus accomplished in a
sinking fund which during ten year
term will amount to almost enough to
then purchase, or build, an electric
lighting plant?
Again, it is said that, if this electric
lighting property be purchased, it will
then be possible to operate the water
works pumping station without the
employment of a man at the station;
but if this statement be correct, the
employment of this man can just as
we'll be dispensed with by contracting
for electric power to operate the pump
ing station, as through purchasing an
electric lighting plant; but it is my
best judgment that it will be subse-
quently ascertained that it is notfeasi-
bic to altogether dispense with the en-
ployment of this man in either case.
This is matter that it will be well
enough to inquire into more carefully
before reaching final conclusion.
If we purchase this electric lighting
property, how well or how economical
ly is it likely to be operated as NUM-
cipal venture? This is point long
ago suggested for consideration by
Judge Flaherty, who at the same time
very triteIy remarked that we will act
wisely indeed, if we take ample time
and exert great care before determin-
ing to purchase the property in ques-
ton, for that, if we hastily purchase
the same, however, much we may sub
sequently regred the act, we will have
it on our hands for all time
There is still another view to this
matter, namely: If we purchase this
electric lighting property, and bond
the village to pay the larger part of
the purchase price thereof, we will
thereby elect to postpone for at least
ten years, all hope of having in the
main street of this village, or else |
where in this village, any sewerage
and what does that really mean to the
future of this villagef To my mind it
certainly means little or no improve.
ment in the way of good buildings !,
during the next ten years. But there is
still another view To take of this mn at. I