Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1906-02-09
COMPLAINTS ARE IDLE.

SONIE LAIN 1 y AM IULLs
For the third time, complaints made
In the city council against the manage
mcnt OF the Dallas waterworks have
fallen fiat. The first kick, made soon
after the new councilmen were sworn
into office, was to the effect that the
old council had not made a thorough
test OF the plant at the time it was ac-
accepted from the contractor, and that
the head for fire-fighting purposes was
not as great as the contract called for.
Upon hearing this complaint, Mayor
Biddle at once appointed committee
Of three citizens to make another test.
The managers of the water plant will
ingly agreed to this second test being
made and offered to do anything in
their power to assist the committee in
its task. A date was set for the test,
and the water company soon had
everything in readiness. but when the
hour arrived the committee failed to
put in an appearance and the test was
abandoned. Since that time, no COM
plant has been heard in any quarter
OF insufficiency of pressure.
The next complaint heard was to the
effect that Mr.. Gates was overcharging
the city in asking SIT for the fire
hydrants furnished for use in the
residence district. A committee of
three was appointed from the council
to investigate the alleged extortionate
price. The committee promptly per-
formed its work, and reported to the
council that after obtaining the lowest
prices from local hardware men and
plumbers it had found that the price
charged by Mr.. Gates for these hy-
drants was lower than could be OBJ
tanned elsewhere. The prices charged
by other dealers ranged from $l8 to
$25.
The most recent complaint was that
Of alleged discrimination in water
rates among private consumers"
Again committee was appointed and
mittee also performed it's duties in
thorough and painstaking manner,
and, at Monday nights meeting of
the council, reported that it had not |
been able to discover any discrimina-
tion, except in the rate granted to
II. g. Campbell two years ago, when
the plant was first installed. 1t APP
pears that the rate granted Mr.. Camp
bell was made through mistake and
misunderstanding, and that as soon
as the error was discovered the service
was promptly discontinued.
So far, the fault-fnders have failed
10 substantiate single complaint
against the water system, or its man.
sgement, and it is reasonably safe to
presume that they will not be able to
do so in the future. Councilman
Ayres, who has been chosen by Mayor
Biddle to head these investigating
committees, Is a conscientious, fair
minded man, and the result of his in
Vestigations must already have made
it plain to him that the greater num-
Der OF these complaints have been in
spired by blind prejudice and petty
spite. No doubt, Mr. Ayres and other
members OF the council are becoming
heartily tired of this senseless howl
against the Dallas waterworks and are
willing for someone else to take up
the work OF investigation-if investi-
cations are to continue.
The OBSERVER has no desire to find I
fault with the city council, for it be-
lieves that the members OF that body,
or at least a majority of them, are
working earnestly for the advance.
ment Of the city's welfare and pros
perity. But the writer does desire to
suggest to them that they
will have little time left In which to
work for the real good of the city, if |
they stop to listen to every kick that is
made against existing or proposed
public improvements. The important {
public improvements which the town l
already boasts would never have been |
made II past councils had given ear c
10 the voice Of kickers. 1
Dallas has reached its present de-
sirable position in the commercial ,
world by squelching the kickers-and h
L has squelched them either by ignor- o
ng them; or, II It came to a fight, by n
lighting them to a finish. Dallas has y