Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-31
COUNCIL BLUFFS
DECISION On WATER RATES
ordinance Under suspension Of Rules
Passed to Second Reading,
ClStN AND Y0UsNtnHAN OPPOSE IT
water Rate 20 PRIVATE Consumers
FIXED at Minimum of 81
Per Month and CITY
Hydrants s45.
ctstN AND YOUratHSAs OPPOSE II


ell last night, following an executive ses-
sion Of nearly two hours duration behind
closed doors in the mayors private office.
an ordinance fixing water rental rates.
both puoiic and private. was introduced
and under SUSPENSION OF the rules passed
10 it's second reading. The dissenting votes
were those Of Aldermen Olson and Younker-
man. The ordinance merely establishes
the rates TO be charged and does not in any
manner provide Tor franchise OF con-
tract with the wafer works company.
According to the explanation made By
Alderman Weaver, chairman of the spe-
cai water works committee the new rates
as provided for in the ordinance constitute
a reduction of over 50 per cent on hy-
drant rentals and a reduction of TO 10
per cent on rates charged private consum-
ers. tg
II will be noticed that the ordinance pro-
vides minimum meter rate of 81 per
month or S12 per annum. To this Alder
man Younkerman raised an objection and
City, Solicitor Snyder expressed It as his
opinion that the minimum rate should not
exceed q per annum. The ordinance, IL
II passes. is to take effect April /.
After the passage OF the ordinance to its
second reading Alderman Msloney ex-
planned his vote by stating that he believed
from the Investigations made by the spe-
cial committee and the special attorneys
that the rates embodied in the ordinance
were fair and would be so held by the
courts. While at the outset he had he
said, been upiSsed 10 the city council en-
gaging special counsel in this matter. as
lie believed the city solicitor could attend
% It, he now saw the wisdom of its action.
Two Raise Objections.
Alderman Olson said he voted against
the ordinance as he believed II only In
vited a lawsuit and the city could be called
upon to expend s2s, 900 before it ever pur-
chased the waterworks.
Alderman Younkerman complained that
TIE ordinance did not treat the poor man
fairly and that as he was in the city coun-
ell to look after the interests of his citi-
zens' he voted against It, The minimum
l1te OF 81 a month on meters he claimed
was excessive and unjust Alderman
Younkermans protest brought Alderman
Weaver. 10 his feet with a challenge to the
alderman from the First ward to produce
any set of rates which would be fairer.
Although not oficially announced. som,
VI the aldermen said they were inclined
to the belief that the rates provided FOL
IN this ordinance would be accepted ulti
mately by the waterworks company. Tn,
tame aldermen also expressed the opinion
that while the present city administration
had; made such a noise about the matter
IL was most unlikely that the city would
ser purchase the waterworks. The PEG
pie, they said. would be satisfied with tn
reduction in rates and undoubtedly would
.refer to Fave the present company oper
Ute the plant than place IL under the man
.iGnuiept oto az city administration which
vas liable to change every two years.
-. Rate Decided Upon.
The rates hxed by the ordinance are a
follows: ..-...