Albuquerque evening citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1905-1907, 1906-02-08
THE PRICE OF $25O,OOO FOR THE
WATER SUPPLY COMPANY PLANT
Considered Entirely TOO High by Many Taxpayers Whose In
teryieWS Appear Below, While Others Want
New Modern Plant

OF the city buying the water plant for
what II Is really worth, but have no
personal way OIL estimating the value
of the old plant. If it is worth the
amount agreed upon, the city should
buy 1t; II not, the city should let it
alone. IL looks TO me like a business
proposition for the new owners. but
whether for the city is another ques-
ton. The council should secure an
impartial, competent water expert to
thoroughly investigate conditions and
estimate on value, ana then let the
voters know the true facts before cleo
tion day.
b. A. Sleyster, Insurance. am in
favor OF municipal ownership, but the
city 10 own d nrst-class water plant.
Wallace Hesselden, Contractor
Best the city can do in the premises.
T.. ). StOver, Retired Merchant
am not a water expert, but the time
the present water plant has been in
service, S250,O00 looks to me like
pretty sim price. | think d better
plant can be put in for considerable
less price The ordinary life of wa
Ter mains is fifteen years, and these
viii all have to be replaced very soon.
w. W. Mcclellan. Real Estate own
er-Am opposed to the purchase of
the old plant. If we have to pay
$25O,O0O for the old plant and assume
ITS Indebtedness, it would be far bet
ter TO bond the city for $5O0,000 and
give the city a first-class water sys-
TEN, with mains in every street. and
TO give consumers cheap water, than
10 entertain any kind of a PROPOSE
ton TO purchase the old plant. The
mains are almost all worn out, and
the works are inadequate to such
growing city as Albuquerque.
David Weinman, Merchant be-
lieye in municipal ownership, but If
the plant is bonded for S1S0O0O, as
is said, | don't believe il is worth
any $2o0,00O.
Sim, n Stern, Merchant-We pay
the water company about $4,000 a
year. $4,000 more would pay the in
terest on the S2J0UO worth of bonds.
] believe in buying the plant for that
sum If il is honestly worth IL, but
don't know whether it is worth it or
not.
NJ. Mandell, Merchant am going
10 vote against The proposition 10
buy the plant. ! am satisfied with my
present water rates l believe in the
city making a contract with the
company fayoraDIe TO both parties
holding them 10 The letter Of the
crnjract, and extending the fran
chise. You cant keep politics out of
municipal ownership in this country.
b. RUppe, Merchant am in no
position TO judge Of the value of the
plant or needed improvements. A
committee Of disuterested citizens
should inyestigate The question from
all sides. and educate the people on
IN proposition before asking them
TO vote for or against These facts
shoall be brought out. "Is the plant
worth the sum a5aei2 What are the
true conditions of the pipes2 How
much would a new plant cost2 What
would be the method of providing iu-
terest on the b0afs2" This commit
tee making a report on these qugs-
lions would enable the people To-
vote iutelligenul on the proposition
TO buy the old plant or build a new
one.
). Nann Merchant am in favor
OF municipal ownership of the water
works and think The best plan would
70 10 purchase rna plant as 10 stands.
providing s250,uHH is fair price inr
same; the citizens at large are iH