Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-01-13

the work already begun for an honest
and fair assessment of the Glucose Su-
gar Refining Company's plant in the
future"
Later in the evening Mr.. Webster fol-
lowed up his report with resolution
recommending that it be adopted, ana
that the city employ additional counsel
to assist City Solicitor Van Law in the
defense of any legal questions that
might arise.
Mr.. Greene's Report.
The report of MIR. Greene. chairman
of the water works and electric light
committee was received with express
sions of qualification on the part of diff
ferent members of the council, who
took occasion to congratulate the COM
mittee on its excellent work Mr.. Web
ster took occasion to state, after the
reprt had been read that there were
many who did not understand the wa
ter rate ordinance, others who would
not understand, because they did not
want to, and others because they had
been stealing water, and therefore
cared not to understand the situation IN
its true light. Mr.. Webster said that
never had committee of a city council
in Marshaltown started out with bet
ter intention of equalizing the water
rates of the city than did the present
committee. The work was no boy S
play, but one that required much
thought and an unlimited amount of
work and energy. The council, he said
had been criticized more or less because
of the failure of those he had mentioned
to understand, but thru 1T all the coun-
ell had stood by the committee. and
now had seen the result of the expert
ment. and In three months trial had
found, to the delight of all. that big
reduction on the cost of water had re-
suited. He laid it to the fact that the
committee had solved the problem OF
waste. had insured forever an adequate
supply of pure water without the use OF
the river had still created surplus,
despite the lower cost, and was saving
in pumping 100000 gallons per day. If
more meters are put on, as is the COM
mittee's aim and desire, even a greater
saving will be recorded.
In view of the public interest aroused
Webster moved that both that part of
the city clerks report referring to water
rates and the water committees report
be published in the Times Republican
and Reflector at public expense for the
information of the public and as an ex-
PLANTATION of the city councils work in
equalizing water rentals
Situation in Nutshell.
The reports OF the water committee
and the city clerk which follow, show
the committee to have been confronted
with situation which leaves no rea-
sonabl question as to the ACCESSIBILITY
OF reducing the water rates by means
of per centage reductions for prompt
payment. The city clerk reports:
Eirst-That the collections for the
first quarter under the rates of the
new ordinance exceed the collections
for the same quarter under old rates
upon the same services by only $247
This he ascertained by comparing
every collection for the two periods re-
ceipt with receipt.
Secondhand by the addition to his
collection records of services hereto
fore lost sight of and hence not col
come will have been swelled nearly
$4,000.
Third-That estimating years rev.
enues upon these results as basis and
adding the mill general levy the
years water revenues will total nearly
$3T 900.
Fourth-That the average annual ex-
penditure in the water department for
the past three years has been nearly
$4,000, hence the additional reduction
of rates and revenues by means of q
greater cash discount, which will
amount to over $500, can easily be
made and still leave a sufficient mar
gin in the water fund to cover the cost
of additional clerical force, moderate
extension of mains. etc.
It was the intention of the water
committee, when it drafted it's new
ordinance to make a reduction all along
the line by a per centage discount as
soon as the revenues could be ac-
curately estimated but at the time the
ordinance was drawn the records of the
water department We're not in shape
to convey any such information as the
addition of $4,000 worth of rentals
lost sight of sufficiently
demonstrates. The report furnished the
city council last evening is the first
record since 1880 that definitely and
accurately shows the water services in
use so far as inspection has been
made.
The water committees unanimous
report is as follows:
[Ordered published by vote Of the
city council Jan. IL, 1902.l
ITO the Honorable Mayor and City
Council: Your water works and cleo
trio light committee begs leave to sub
nit the following report:
ut is with pleasure that this COM
mittee is now able to report an abun-
dance of pure water, sufficient in guam
tity for any circumstances that may
arise. including CONGREGATIONS and
flushing. Indeed, it is the belief of this
committee, supported by the opinions Of
our superintendent of mains and chief
engineer. that we shall never again be
to admit river water to the
mains. This staten mt is significant of
much Importance to every citizen of
Marshalltown, as no stronger argument
can be presented to the prospective
resident than the assurance of an abun-
dance of pure water. 1t is hoped that
even the silt, thrown into our mains by
the former use of river water, will, be-
fore very long, be entirely flushed out,
and thus prevent the temporary annoy
ance we now sometimes have.
Your committee was confronted at
the outset with situation which was
fraught with a system of rates and reg
ulation of operation which was dis