The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1904-02-06


HYDRANTs NOT REMOVED.
A Mountain Water Scheme for coryal-
lis That Death topped-Something
About it.
Though the first days of Febru-
ary have come and gone. there has
been no removal of the fire hy-t
drants, as was threatened in the late
letter of the local Water Company
to the, city council. 1t seems to be
generally believed that the company
will not go to the extent of remov-
ing of hydrants. 1t is certain that
the act.would only have injected an
animus into the situation that would
have fallen unpleasantly on the
company. There seems no doubt
that the removal could have been
enjoined by legal proceedings thou
gh it is doubtful if any attempt in
that direction would have been
made. The attitude of most of the
members of the council was one of
mere passiveness. in which it was
proposed to allow the company to
go ahead with the removal if it so
desired, taking remedial measures
on behalf of. the city afterward. As.
it looks now, however, it seems like
ly that the hydrants will remain in
service. and that some kind of me-
gotiations may develop in which a
more amicable arrangement may be
effected.
OF course there is phase to the
situation that many citizen fails
to see. II is the natural desire of
the Water Company to protect it.
self. 1t can i'll afford to lay ex-
pensive mains and put in hydrants
without some kind of a contract.
Piping is high now and maybelower
later. If the company puts in new
pipes and the price falls possibly at
the very moment the city proposes
to buy the plant or contract with
another company, the local com.
pany must lose, and lose heavily.
For this reason, it is a hazardous
step for the company 10 attempt
improvements without some kind
Of contract.
On the other hand, the city hes
itates to make a contract onea basis
of Willamette water Willamette
water is better by far than many a
town has. but the people want
mountain water ifit can be had.
Smyth offered mountain water. It
has also become known that,anoth-
pro position for offering Corvallis
mountain water was at one time
fully matured, whenit was sudden
ly stopped by the sudden death OF
| a prominent Oregon capitalist, the
heaviest investor in the scheme.
This proposition is said. to have
included the purchase of the old
companys plant by the new com.
pany, and an amicable arrangement,
all round. For these reasons the
city authorities prefer to make nc
/, extended contract, but rather desi
re to let matters drift while they
wait for something to turn up
The chance that the present higt
/ prices of piping maydrop and tha
+ capitalists may seek investment II
t water systems. are things tha
Z may happen at any time. and it is
for something of this favorable char,
: acter for which the council waits.
AS in all questions, there are two
sides to the water problem. ane
each party has facts to conside
that the other does not always see.
The first three days Of lex
week. Feb 8, 9. & 10 Dr.. Lowe, th,
!, ocult -optici4n will te at the: Oc
cid n al MOTEL. DR.. Lowe has beer
5 comir G to Corvallis for over Il
: yea,e.
}, The drift of water talk abou
, town is turning in a new direction
A sentiment is forming in the di
, rectiou of CITY ownership of water
!: works. Many are pronounced il
: favor of charter amenment by tt
, Legislature that ri ! enable the cit,
;. t, issue bonds wht never it sfal
elect. They claim thai t condl, lop
f may arise at laoy time in which ,
: gravity system of mountain watal
may become feasible. and that th
city at such time should be clio
thed with power to assist if peces
8 sary, or to construct if advisa Bile,
: watr system. Many think the presen
e council should at the coming elect
4 ion submit to a ynte of the nannlI