Weekly Arizona journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1903-1908, 1904-01-27

Since submitting synopsis or plan
on our proposed water and sewer ex-
tensions, l have been asked by
number of citizens to submit a gen
eral report on my office plans and the
commercial features of our present
water system. In reply to these sug-
gestions l will say:
OF the many branches of municipal
ownership, none contain more per
picking problems than the water and
sewer departments, and he who seeks
to administer the duties as superin-
tendent of this office on broad lines
of strict business principles with an
eye single TO the best interests of the
community, there opens a pathway
beset with a multitude of problems
difficult of solution and hedged about
with numerous forces and interests,
active in their opposition and antag-
onistic to economical lines of opera
tion.
l will say once for all that in the
performance of my duties | shall en-
deavor to settle any problems that
may arise on strictly business prin-
cples, regardless of personal auvan-
tage or political tendencies, my pol
icy being Honesty, justice to all and
special privileges to none.'
My experience has taught me that
success can only be accomplished
through broad practical lines of econ
omy and forethought, looking to the
future growth and development of any
business.
The rapid growth of our little city
and the requirements of our advanced
civilization make the demand for
sufficient water and sewer system
more and more serious with each sue
ceeding year.
Under the teachings of municipal
ownership it becomes our sincere
duty to provide for our future growth |
in advance of our actual present re-
quirements, for it is conducive to the
future welfare of the community,
whether considered from the point of |
health, education or the identifying |
of our homes and their surroundings. |
This condition can only be accom-
plished when the cost of the commod- |
ity is furnished at price within the
reach of all. This cannot be accom-
plished on our present consumption
of water owing to our adverse natural |
conditions. However, propose to in
crease the consumption of water by
enforcing the ordinance compelling |
all property owners to connect with
the sewers, and by so doing we will |
lesson the liability of sickness and
possibly deaths. This is a very Sc
rious matter with me. Place yourself |
in my position in this regard and |
what would be your feelings ION wit
Messing funeral procession, if you
were convinced that the innocent vic
tim had come to its death through |
your negligence of duty, and you
would Immediately proceed to enforce
the duties assigned to you. This is
the case with me, only L propose to
enforce these ordinances before the
above condition is encountered.
The sewerage question is one that is
too apt to be treated as a luxury in
stead of a necessity.
Just as soon as the work has been
1 intend to recommend
that the water rates be regulated &C
cording to the actual cost of supply, |
which must cover all operating ex-
penses, maintenance, and one half of
the interest on our water bonds. The
other half of the interest should be
received from taxes on the whole COM
munity as by the installation of
water and sewer system, all property
values are enhanced, for which all
should contribute.
| believe that the water meter and
should be the property of
the city, and in order to guard against
connections being order
ed, the city should protect itself by
requiring a sufficient deposit from
the customer, for this purpose.
By adopting liberal policies based
on actual costs, we should receive the
universal support of the people, and
double the number of our customers
within one year and at the same time