Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-10-13

night the, following resolution relative 20
the waterworks question was introduced by |
Alderman Weaver, in the absence of Mayor |
Macrae, and was adopted by a vote OF 5
to
Resolved, That the proposition OF the |
Council Bluffs City Waterworks company, |
submitted TO the city OF Council Blufs l
Ausnst' n. 1905 in words and figures follow
ing. viz.
such price as may be agreed upon by three
thoroughlys competent hydraulic engineers
OF good standing In their profession, one to
company and the third by these two, and x
a sale Is finally consummated under such
arbitration the city and the water company
70 bear the expenses Of the arbitration IN
equal share; but should either the city or
the water company fail or refuse, for any
reason, TO abide by such arbitration, the
one so failing or refusing to bear AL OF
such expensc,'' he and the same is hereby
accepted, and be Il further
Resolved. That the special waterworlSs
Committee heretofore appointed is hereby
Instructed to communicate this resolution
TO the Council Bluffs City WaterworlSs
company and to select and appoint an APP
praiser on behalf OF the city of Council
BLUFFS, and in the name of the city to enter
into such agreements as may be necessary
20 carry out said proposition and arbitra-
ton, and to press said arbitration to
lResolved. That said special waterworks
Committee Is hereby instructed, II the Coun-
neglect or refuse within such time as said
committee shall deem reasonable to carry
out said proposition, or 70 name an aroitra-
ance Of said proposition and to procure the
services OF some competent engineer to
prepare plans and specifications for the con-
siruetion OF new water plant for the city
o. Council Bluffs, submitting such plans
and specifications 30 procured to the city
Council for approval
The vote was as follows: Ayes-Gilbert,
Mcmillan. FINLEY, Weaver. Younkerman.
Hoea-Crfppen Maioney Olson,
Alderman Maloney objected to the adop-
ton Of the resolution on the grounds that
Il made no provision for settlement of the
question by negotiation between the water
works company and the city for reduction
o. existing rates. He called attention to
the fact that, as far as he was aware, the
special committee having the matter in
charge had made no overtures to the COM
pany looking for reduction OF rates but
that aIf the efforts of the committee APP
peared 10 be directed toward municipal
ownership, and municipal ownership alone.
Alderman Crippen objected to the special
committee keeping everything 20 itself and
not taking the other members Of the city
council into its confidence. He thought the
resolution gave the committee too much
authority and power and contended that
the resolution should first be referred to
the committee OF the whole for it's con-
sideration.
Statement by Water Company.
Following the adoption of the resolution
offered by the special committee COM
muhication from the water works company
TO the committee was read. This comnnu-
nicatioh in part was as follows:
TIE water works company is surprised at
your statement that your action In refus-
Ing, to negotiate for an extension of the
contract between the city and the COM
pany is because the present administra-
snip and against negotiations for an ex-
tension of the water companys contract
when 1t was entrusted with the admins
tfation by the vote OF the people, in view
OF the fact that the platform upon which
the mayor and seven OF the eight alder
men were elected contained this specific
Resolved that we pledge to the people OF
the rentals of the fire hydratns, but also
a reduction OF water rates for private con
sumers TO a reasonable figure, and II II be-
comes impossible to make fair contract
with the waterworks company for the
rental of MIGRANTS and fair rate to pri-
waite consumers, we promise the people
Of this city to secure to them such bene'
fts, either by means of a franchise to ar
Independent company or by municipal own
STship Of similar plant without increas'
This plank was made the paramount is
sue In the last city campaign, ana We con
TESS our inability to see how this implied
pledge to attempt first to obtain fai
and reasonable contract with the COMPANY
and this express pledge not to inereas'
the burden OF taxation committed the ad
nnlnistration TO a refusal tn negotiate anS
the imposition OF the additional 2-mill tax
alton provided for by the ordinance re
Gently passed.
After setting forth the bonded indebted
mess OF the company and stating that
tbs. plant is sold to the city it must be 70
cash. the communication reads as follows
IN justice TO it's creditors the compan,
could not make a proposition to sell 1t
plant 10 the city for less than its float
Ing and bonded Indebtedness, aggreKatin
about 5000 600 II the city will pay tn
amount OF indebtedness OF the company
when asoertained. the company will trans
fer IT'S entire plant to the city In considera
tion therefor. II the city will make con
tract 10 buy the plant upon that basl
or 70 buy II upon such price as may b
agreed upon, or, upon failure TO agre'
UPON the price fixed by arbitrators, tn
company will do everything In its powe
to ala the city in aseertainng the value
the plant.
The balance Of the communication refer
to the property OF the company, capacit
OF the plant, etc It was referred withou
comment TO the special committee. on me