Evening journal., 1904-10-07
DISCUSSED
WATER QUESTION
Council and Citizens Met
and Talked Over Fran
chise
PROPOSITIOEAPPARENTLY GOOD ONE
Special to The Evening Journal.

Special to The Evening journal
New Castle, oct. City Council met
in special session last evening to discuss
with citizens and James NJ. Seabury the
proposition OF the latter for the installa-
tion of a new water and electric light sys-
TEN for the city, the terms of the fran
chise for which have already been stated
In the absence Of President Reynolds
Henry Y. Jemison was made temporary
chairman and stated the object of the
meeting Beside Council there were pres
ent Colonel ]. Harry Rogers. John r..
I.ambson, James II. Challenger, John j.
Sheridan, william Rothwell, b. T. Hol-
comb Mayor Evan G. Boyd and others.
After having head over the proposition
of Mr.. Seabury, Councilman Smith de-
sired to know how long before the pro-
posed water plant would be in operation,
TO which Mr.. Seabury replied that he be-
Ieved that he would be prepared to OPP
crate about January /, 1905. or a short
time thereafter.
Mr.. Lambson inquired what methods
would be used in operating the water sup
ply, the size of the mains, capacity of
tower etc. Mr.. Seabury replied that that
would depend on the requirements, but
that every necessary steps would be
taken by his company to properly fulfil the
terms of the contract. A stand pipe of
twice the capacity required to supply the
city would be erected and II in case OF
extra supply being needed it would be
possible 10 pump direct from the wells.
There was no possibility of the supply
giving out. Regarding the possibility OF
finding suitable wells for the purpose re-
quired Mr.. Seabury said that he was a
firm believer in the methods and that
every spot on the earth was adopted to
the artesian well system. He said he came
here as any merchant would and proposed
TO make his goods so attractive in the
way OF good service and low rates that
people wou\ be anxious to deal with him.
In regarding 20 the clause in the contract
whereby the city could purchase the
plant at any time at an advance OF ten
per cent. he stated that he did not be-
lieve it would be advisable plan to adopt.
as no city could give time nor attention
to such an enterprise as a private corpor-
alton could. As TO the possible cost of the
plant he could give no exact estimate, but
believed it would go beyond $4,000.
In reply to a question as to what he
would or could do toward supplying water
~ tiAo NAtg III NttoN AAAt lAeiiAA was lNA ioiA-
pleted in specified time. the old water
company's contract expiring December 81,
Mr.. Seabury replied that although he
knew none Of the officers Of the old COM
pany he believed that he could make ar
rangements with them whereby they
would agree to continue the service until
his plant would be in operation. He did
not desire to use any Of their equipments,
hon -.
He would put I'm mains large enough to
throw water over any ordinary building
In the city His interest I'm the matter was
10 give good service. In the matter of
electric light service it was reported that
superintendent Holcomb OF the local plant
had stated that his company could not
consider any proposition reducing the
present price per light OF arc lights.
Town Meeting Suggested.
Mr.. Lambson suggested that it would
be best to call a town meeting and ascer-
tain the will Of the citizens before any
action was taken Mr.. Sheridan approved
OF the suggestion. Mr.. Smith opposed the
proposition on the grounds that such ac-
tion would only result in ral1ing up old
sores. Mr.. seabury objected on the ground
that it would cause unnecessary delay in
his work.
w. II. Cooper, Jr., representing Mr..
Seabury. said that he believed the citI-
zens knew OF the proposition as it had
been made public I'm the newspapers and
that If any one objected they should have
been present at the meeting and state
their objections.
Councilman Gallagher said that all per-
sons TO whom he had spoken on the pro-
5ect appeared favorable to IL.
Councilman Duffy stated that before ac-