Catoctin clarion., 1904-03-24
ICOMMUNICATED. |
COMMUNICATED.
Shall the Municipality of Thurmont
Have Its Own Water Works or Not?

timent exist If not profitable to the munich
pality and beneficial to the masses, lnsuring
reduced and uniform water rates, impartial
treatment to customers and safeguard against
corporation immunity
If the Mechanicstown Water Company as
an enterprise is good thing (Which we be-
lieve it to be), why should not the town wish
to acquire 1t, and, should it offer $4,000 for
this plant, which to construct and equip cost
| $4,000, why is the howl raised that an ef'
fort is being made to ruin the investment OF
few Individuals Can we more accurately
arrive at the actual worth of this plant than
| by reference to the sworn statement of value
as made to our State Comptroller by the
Mechanicstown Water Company under date
of February 8, 1904? Are we to accept this
sworn statement of value ($l2 per sbare), as
being true, or was it made simply with
view of escaping taxatlonp If the former, a
fictitious value is being placed upon the plant
because the town seems to be anticipating
ownership, ifthe latter, what then are we to
believe2 Nothing.
We have been frequently told of late, that
for the town to purchase this plant would be
an approach TO suicide, that it's stock did not
pay anything and was virtually worthless
The writer has positive knowledge of the
fact, that within the last four years, the town
through its commissioners, was informally
approached by an influential representative
of the Water Company with view of open.
ing up negotiations for a transfer to munic-
ipal ownership. 1t was then represented as
being good thing which the town should
by all means possess. If it wasa good thing
then, why not nowp What has been the
cause of such rapid and marked depreciation
We are asked TO believe that the Water
Company has been liberal while many assert
that 1t has not only been iiberal, but tyran-
ical in Its policies. We pay for water that
we never get, who dares to refute the state
ment. You may. perhaps, be asked II you
do not get an occasional bucket of water
from your neighbor, and if you reply in the
affirmative, you are unceremoniously inform
ed that your imaginary grievance is a non
entity. Golden rule not applicable to such
cases)
Considerable space is given to the supply.
ing of water without compensation to the
several churches, a simple performance of
christian privilege and duty. For this, how
ever, somebody else pays the freight. Could
not the town do lkewisee
We are told that our town should not be
mor,gaged (as IT is putt for the purpose Of
acquiring water works plant it was all
right four years ago hut not now why2 We
do not believe that with municipal ownership
this plant would be more ably managed but
could be MANAGED just as well and with as
little if not less expense. We are asked to
be dcluded into the belief that we would he
required to pay water rent whether we used
it or not-an absurdity-and that increased
equally as absurd and without a scmblence
of foundation whatever. Our taxation rights
are specifically prescribed by law which can
be seen by reference to our town charter
empowering us TO levy thirty cents on the
hundred dollars and no more This rate can
not be exceeded excepting by an act of leg.
islation sustained by a majority vote Of our
people. This intended scare should not send
terror to the hearts of the intelligent and
own thinking people. Municipal water
works will not only be self sustaining and
very materially lower our water rents, but
in addition thereto, will provide comfnrta.
BILE sinking fund for the ultimate payment OF
itself
One can be but cl aritable to the author OF
last weeks communication, Knowing 1t to be
written from q stockhoder of the water
company standpoint and not from citizen
and taxpayers point of view. The rank mis-
representations made should in detail be
thoroughly ventilated as they are calculated
to mislead the less informed Our water
rates compare f.vorably with those OF onr
sister town of Emmilsburg, fraction lower,
probably, in some cases, but taking into con-
sideration the cost of construction of the two
plants, Emmisburg $50 900 and Thurmont
$4,000! our rates are materially higher. In
other words, money is worth more in Thur.
mont than in Emmitsburg; our consumers
must. therefore, necessarily make up this
greater rate of interest. At Middletown an.
other sister town, municipal water works
have been Inaugurated, which venture is
proving itself to be financial success for the
municipality, notwithstanding they have
fewer consumers with lower rates than we
are enjoying.
Individuals, and individuals resolving
themselves into corporations have rights
which should, and must be respected They
are, however, very often required to give
way to the needs of the general public which
holds superior rights. Concessions are due
the gentlemen representing the Mechanics.
town Water Company, who Invested their
money, in what. at one time seemed to be q
hazardous undertaking, and they should be
properly compensated for the plant they
may be asked to relinq uish for the public
good. How will they haye been compensat
ed 10 the event OF our paying them 1000?
We will be allowing them a net profit of
$4,000 on the original investment to which
must be added some 81 500 which they have
accumulated and hold in reserve. thereby
virtually receiving $13,500 for their $4,000
plant, an increased valuation of 80 per cent.
Again, they have enjoyed an uninterrupted,
net, per cent. investment for the past ten
years, nearly rate and half, as money
nrnnarlu sacured is lnaned today In sI1ms of