Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-15
HOWELL'S WATER WORKSB BILL
lead and Discussed by Author at Real
Estate Exchange Meeting.
koPosES BIPARTISAN WATER BOARD
Provides for General Tax Levy of Not
More Than one Thou-
send Dollars for water
Fund Each Year.


Senator Howell's bill to compel the mayor
nnd city council Of Omaha TO proceed 10 the
purchase Of the Omaha water works was the
heme presented to the Real Estate ex-
thange yesterday. 1t was read by It's author.
who commented at length upon its terms.
He read eighteen sections Of the proposed
law, saying that in these the entire matter
Is presented.
The bill provides that since the city has
voted bonds for acquiring the water works
the mayor and city council shall proceed
within thirty days after the passage OF the
law to acquire such plant; that a water
board OF six members to be appointed by
the governor shall to the mayor
and council the names Of appraisers to value
the plant and that the city shall have the
right to proceed by right OF eminent domain
or under the contract with the company,
as 1t may elect, and upon the failure Of the
company to appoint an appraiser as pro-
vided by the contract It may be compelled
to do so by a court CT competent jurisdlc-
tion.
Water Board of Six Members.
The water board shall consist Of six mem
bers, three Of whom shall be chosen from
each OF the political parties casting the
highest number of votes for governor at the
preceding election; two, one from each
party, to serve until the next election for
governor; two until the second such cleo
tion and two until the third such election,
two, one from each party, being elected by
the people of the city for q term of six
years at each election for governor; that
this board shall have power to manage the
water plant and adopt a scale of prices and
regulations for the sale OF water. 1t shall
AI,nN
man, and shall from it's membership elect a
chairman. Civil service rules shall govern
the discharge Of all regular employees. The
members OF the board shall have the powers
necessary to enforce their rules and shall
receive a salary Of $500 each.
General Tax Every Year.
| The bill. provides that the water board
) can compel the council to levy a water fund
fThot to exceed 500. 900 in lieu of the present
water fund. said money to be used for the
plant and the payment Of interest on bonds
all money received from the operation of
the plant or any other source by the board
TO be placed in the water fund and balances
TO be covered into a sinking fund for the
payment of bonds.
Speaking to the latter clause OF the bill
Mr.. Howell said that the water company
had two duties to perform-one supplying
the people with water and the other sup
plying FIRE protection, and that the former
should be paid for by those using water
. while the latter should be paid for by al
of the people generally, as property owners
resident or nonresident. would receive the
benefit of the fire protection while they
would pay nothing for 1t unless It was pro-
vided for by a general tax, and that this
would permit a lower rate to be charged
resident consumers of water. He then tool
up the question Of the purchase of the water
plant, showing the estimated value and cost
Before adjourning for the day, President
Harrison named a committee to examine
and report on Senator Howell's water works
bill, the report to be made at a specia'
meeting to be held at noon on Friday. The
committee is made up OF D.. &. Patterson
N. p. Dodge. jr,. George G. Wallace, A. p
Turkey end c. c.. George.