The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1904-12-09
City in Quandary
HOW TO MAKE WATER
SYSTEM PAY
Council Starts Out by Gug-
ting off "Deadhead"
Consumers.

Il lind that we are up against a
hard proposition" said Councilman
Barker. when he began his report ol
rho mve>tieation OF Guthue's water
works. This remark followed by
many explanations i'm confederation Of
The leading statement proved cNaclu-
els that Guhr'e IS in a crooked
row II sumps as far as it's water
works plant IS concerned
In the first place Councilman
Barker's rcpor brought out The fac
that an insurance inspector had made
a thorough investigation OF the water
works boilers ami he pronounced them
IL a dangerous condition He promis-
ed. however, not to condemn them
until spring But should the city not
take some decisive action and have
them either replaced by new ones or
satisfactorily repaired the inspector
threatens to apnul the insurance
In this C., unection a discussion fol-
lowed as 10 what would be the p@cper
course TO pursue in the matter. After
presenting 1sures on what Il would
cost for the city To run its own plant
with steam power Councilman GarEcr
introduced a proposition made by
Thomas Smith president of the Guth
rie Light and Power company. in
wluch he states tha, he will agree to
furnish power for the city water worl,
for $4,000. This machinery to in
elude two pumps and two motors
Also 10 have ample installation of APP
paiatus to prcpel about double the
amount OF water that is needed even
in time Of Widespread connagratioo
His idea in putting in this sort of ma
chinery is to have it ready in case
that something went wrong during an
emergency.
Another startling thing was sprune
when Councilman Barker reported that
the following we're not paying water
taxes Masonic Temple. Deaf anG
Dumb institute. the churches, tho
schools. the commercial club and the
city water .reughg This was argued
pro and con. ana stirred up consider
able difference of feeline
When this was spoken Of Messrs
Warren. Farquharson aHl Wells mem
hers Of the school board. were present
and Mr. FMquharson asked to have
the floor He said that he with
Messrs Warren and Wells bad been
sent TO the council meeting for
purpcse of talking this water Troposi-
tion over Commissioner Barney had
threatened to stop the water if tho
taxes were not paid and Mr. Farquhar-
son stated that if such a course were
taken the schools would have to be
closed He seid that the school beard
did not have tho means TO pay the
taxes aud he explained that there is
now bcnded Indebtedness Of $71 ,Oo0
hanging svcr them
Mr. Warren took The floor in behalf
Of the sckcol board and stated that the
school hoard is al the mercy Of he
council hut that he would like 10 have
Them give The wate' 10 the city
schools free.
As a result o. prolonged wrangling.
, a resGlutioa was introduced by Conn-
Gilman BARKER, and passed. that The
city water commissioner he Instructed
80 collect water tax from every insti-
luton and everybody as set forth in
the water ordinance
Mayor BaInes said that the city hal
heen TOO liberal with it's water Were
It not for this there would he three
; times as much ash in the water fund
as there is now Had the city 0een
collecting al % this tine from the
"nce list" Mr. sAith's proposition
could be accepted at once and ,he
cash placo' down for tho deal AS II
is he purchase Of a new outht for the
water works means another big debt
Mayor Harnes also advocated having
meters He said that the fat rate is
iosine the city money every day.
Amonr other ,hings done tho public
Improvement ccmrittee were instruct
ed 20 ascertain whether or not Sharte
would construct his street railwa,
bridge so as to have a wagon bridge
in connection across Cottonwood
creek. Councilman Pouwood intro
ducee a resolution that The city pris
oners should be pnt tc work on th'
rock pile aLd when rot engaged there
put 20 work on the street This wal
aAnniad l,nanimnmslY Ihe ordlnanc.