The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1905-06-14
NO DEFINITE DECISION
HAS YET Been REACHED
Northwest Light and Water Com
pany's Plant Is not for Sale
New System Is Probable.

It will be remembered that at a
mass meeting of citizens held in the
courthouse, recently, to consider the
existing water rates, and in that con-
nection the ACCESSIBILITY of municipal
ownership of thte present or new
system of waterworks, a committee
to look after the matter was APP
pointed by Chairman Vance, con-
sisting of George donald, A. b.
Weed. ID. f. Lesh, T.. A. Davis, H. H.
LON bard, Alex Miller and J. P. Nc
Camerty. This committee held it's
first meeting last week and ap-
pointed subcommittee to inves-
tigate various phases of the subject.
The committee was unanimously in
favor Of the city acquiring and main
tanning its own water system, and
decided first of all to communicate
with Robert Strahorn in regard to
purchasing the water plant of which
the Northwest Light and Water COM
pany is the owner. A committee
was appointed to take the matter up
with him, and on Saturday last re-
ceived the following in reply to their
letter:
Spokane, Wash, June 9, 1905.
u,
D. e. Lesh, T. A. Davis, H, H.
Lombard, Alex. Miller, J. P. Nc
Cafferty, committee, North Yaki-
ma. Wash:
Gentlemen: Referring to yours
OF the 9Th inst, asking at what price
the Northwest Light and Water COM
pany will dispose of its waterworks
system to the city of North Yakima.
/ hof t.
practicable and I believe impossible.
The mortgage debt, covering the
whole property when this company
bought it in the shape Of $27O,OOO
bonds could not be segregated. Also
for other reasons, the property is so
constituted as to render the separa-
tion of the waterworks from the
electric lighting system entirely out
OF the question at this time.
Personally l wish to say that 7
much regret this inability to comply
with your request, providing it cor
rectly represents the sentiment of a
majority of the people of North
Yakima. whom I have strained every
nerve to please and satisfy, for |
think you know that 1t Is farthest
from my desire to own or control
property anywhere under conditions
which your letter implies
Thanking you for your courtesy.
l remain, yours truly,
ROBT. T.. STRATHORN,
President.
1t is stated that the above does
not change the situation or desire
to see the city own it's own water
system In the least. In fact, it was
not expected that Mr.. Strathorn
would want to sell his water plant, |
and there are strong hints that a f!
company of local capitalists could be
organized without difficulty, in case
the city did not care to install sys-
TEN, and that this company would
at once begin work on getting water
TO the city and laying mains. Those
who are interested in the plan do
not say much. as yet. but the promo
sition seems to have been seriously
considered. One of the capitalists
who, in case the project material
ICES and new water system Is
built by corporation, will doubtless
be deeply interested, said to The |
Herald:
THE proposition. either for the
city or for private corporation, is
entirely feasible. A first-class svs-
tenn OF waterworks, ample for the |
needs of the city for some time to |
come, can be installed for a sum not
exceeding 100000 There is n |
practical route suggested over which |
TO bring the water to the city from
the Natchez. taking it out of the
river at point about six or seven
miles up, and conducting it through
wooden pipe, the same as the pres
ent company now uses. The sum
! mentioned Will be sufficient to lay
this line and about fourteen miles OF
pipe in .Ae city supply all necessary
MIGRANTS, etc, and there is every
reason to believe that system fully
as good If not better than the pres
ent one could be obtained. The cost
OF iron pipe of sufficient size would
be approximately so per cent more
imam that OF wooden pipe.
The committee will not be ready
10 submit a full report for several
days yet. as time will be taken for
a full investigation along several
lines.
PETITION SENT TO GOVERNOR