The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1905-07-12
WATER BOARD MET.
Planning to Begin Operations as Soon
as PoSSible-Features of Sit
uation.

S1 0Odlu was uClu SdIu1ody OVCA
ing. The object was to devise
plans for carrying into effect the
instruction of the people as announ-
ced in the decisive vote last Thurs
day declaratlve of an emphatic de-
sire for mountain water tor Cor
wallis. Every phase of the situa-
ton was considered. Most of the
members favor pushing matters
with all the celebrity compatible with
proper caution. On account of the
closeness of the, estimate to the
money available, it was resolved
to have the figures of Engineer
Miller checked over by another en-
gineer, and at the same time to have
Engineer Miller plan of the sys-
tenn passed upon in the same way.
These steps were considered es-
sential inasmuch as it has been
made plain that the individual
members of the board will become
responsible for any expenditure of
money in excess Of the $4,000.
If the system should cost the $74,.
900 as estimated. but 81, 900 would
be left for securing the right of way
for printing of bonds. and for pay
ing various other small but neces-
sary expenses. Of which there are
various items. 1t is also talked
that there will be litigation with the
present water company, that will
tend to delay and which will prove
expensive. The board is fully ad-
vised along these lines by compet-
ent legal opinion, and it is under
stood, does not in a general way
anticipate serious trouble in this di-
rection. DR.. Farra is an old citi-
zen of the community and is one of
the chief stockholders in the COM
pany. He is a man of lofty char
acter, and beyond taking such act
ion as he may feel essential in pro-
tecting his own interests, it is be-
lieved that he will be disposed to
aid rather than obstruct. It is
known that he has long cherished
the idea of bringing mountain wat
er to Corvallis, and that if sufficient
capital for the enterprise had been
available, he would have done so.
He offered last winter to build such
a system provided the city would
issue bonds and pay half the cost.
It was while the special water COM
nlittee of the council was working
on his bid and the bid of A, J. John
son and associates that the idea Of
city ownership of a plant was evolv-
ed and the Corvallis water bill in
troduced in the legislature. It be-
came apparent that in any private
system based on Rock Creek water
there would have to be aid by the
city. A strong sentiment became
manifest in which it was held that
if the city should pay half, it might
as we'll issue more bonds and own
the whole business. By the latter
plan whatever profit should inure
from operation of the system would
belong to the people and not to a
private individual. This profit in
20 or 80 years when Corvallis shall
have doubled, trebled or perhaps
quadrupled its population would
become matter of large proper
tions. This future growth of the
town, in fact, and the greater rev.
enues to flow from the water busi-
ness, is great factor to ultimately
demonstrate the wisdom of last
Thursdays verdict by the voters.
The splendid water supply, but FIVE
hours from its source in the noun
tains, and the resultant growth is
likewise factor in promot-
ing the income of the system.
Those most familiar with Engin-
eer Mi1ler's estimates have no
doubt as to the outcome of furth-
er checking them over. 1t
is known that Mr. Miller indicated
to a certain member of the water
, board that there would be a good
working margin between the money
available and the actual cost of con
struction. When this view is con-
frmed, which will take but a few
days, it is planned to begin opera
tions towad construction. Perhaps
the first thing along this line will
be further surveying for the pur-
pose of finally locating the line. and
with view of shortening it to the
utmost. What can be accomplish
in this respect, only the actual. field
work can determine. With the
line actually located, the securing
of the right of way, the advertising
for bids for bonds, and the adver-
tising for bids for construction will
all be in order. Mr.. Miller advises
that the board receive bids for
material, for pipe laying, for exca-
waiting and SO on, separately as we'll
as otherwise. He especially ad-
vises that the board buy its own
material on competitive bids. The
idea in having the board buy its