The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1905-06-24
IN HIS OWN LIGHT.
Because Misinformed About the Law
One Citizens Objections to Good
Water.

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One Corvallis man is against
mountain water and declares that
the reason is that he is afraid if the
proposed system be built, he will be
heavily taxed to pay for it. His
objection, like every objection
against mountain water, is founded
on misinformation. If the new
system be built, that mans taxes
instead of being increased. will be
decreased. Not one cent is to be
charged up to the city of Corvallis
fer the maintenance of the water
plant, for building it, or for pay
ment of the bonds. The water bill
provides that the water rates shall
be so adjusted as to pay allrunning
expenses, all repairs, all interest on
bonds, and gradually pay off the
bonds.
Here is what the law says:
Sec. 24-The commission shall annual.
ly before the first day ofJanuary in each
ye"r, make written estimate of the
probable expense of maintaining and
conducting the water works during the
ensuing year, and also the cost of any
necessary alteration, extension, or i'm
| proven f1ent thereof, to be made during
said ensuing year, and thereupon ascer-
tain and prescribe, as nearly as can con-
veniently. water rate for such year as
will insure sufficient income from the
sale of water to pay such expenses and
costs. together with one year of interest
on the bonds aforesaid then issued and
outstanding.
Sec. 25..--After the expiration of sew
en- years from the selection of such com
mission. sum equalling three per cent
oi the par value of the bonds issued un-
der this act shall be annually estimated
for in fixing the water rates, in addition
to the expenses, cost and interest afore-
said, and be collected as part thereof,
which said sum when SO collected. shall
be set apart and kept in separate fund
to be used and applied under the direc-
ton of said commission in the payment
of the principal only on ssid bonds.
Such is the law. The provisions
are mandatory, and the commis-
sion must carry them out In case
the commission should refuse or
| neglect to make the water rates pay
expenses, repairs. or Improvements
of the works and at the proper time
a per centum annually of the bonds
any holder OF bonds or interested
citizen could bring mandamus pro-
ceedings and force the commission
to do it. In the face of such a pro-
vision how could the taxes of this
certain Corva1lisite be increased one
cent by the new system? Does he
think there might not be money
enough collected to pay the annual
bond per centum? That payment
does not begin until seven years
after the commission is selected,
that is, seven years after the works
are completed. Payment of the
bonds will not be finished until for.
ty years after that. Then at the
present rapid rate of growth, how
many people wilLthere be in Cor
wallis to consume water and help
pay off bonds? Is there possible
chance, or the shadow of a chance
for this Corvallisite to have his tax
es increased one penny? He may
: calm his fears, for there is no pos
sible chance.
Instead of having increased tax es
the city tax burdens will be light.
ened by the new system. THERE
: WILL BE NO MONTHLY WAT.
Err BILL FOR THE CITY TC
| PAY. The cost now for fire pro.
t lection and sewer flushing is more
than $500 year, and the city gets
but little of either. The forty fire
: hydrants the city would have under
the new system would, if supplied
by the local water company at pres.
ent prices, cost the city $1,44o pei
year, to say nothing of sewer flush
ing and street sprinkling. All this
will be, free to the city if the new
system be built. and the Corvallis
ite in question will see the city
tax burdens. not increased, but re.
duced. There will be less taxes
!, for him and his brother taxpayer:
to pay. There will be less insur
ance for him to pay, because the
. fire protection will lower insurance
=" rates. His own property, should
he desire to sell it, will bring hin
more money, if the new system be
: built. In opposing the new works
3 he is harming himself, financially
instead of helping himself.