The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-04
WATER WORKS
CASE LIVELY
AGAIN TODAY

,~e midsummer revels OF the Warwick
and Coventry water works and the tax
collector OF Warwick held the attention
OF Judge Mumford in the superior court
for a considerable time today.
Tax Collector Matteson wants TO get
what he asserts belongs TO his town from
the Warwick and Coventry company.
which led the West Greenwich tax col
lectors a long and weary dance some time
ago.
John j. Arnold. president OF the COM
psny, is seeking to have Mr.. Matteson
enjoineo from selling certain property of
TIE water company.
Mr. Arnold did not produce I'm court to-
day certain books and contracts that the
town authorities want very much TO see.
Mr.. Arnold rather took the wind out OF
Coz Quinn's, the town solicitors, sails
somewhat In regard to the books: but
Col lunn's case got a big gain In
strength thereby.
The way Mr.. Arnold got out OF produc-
ing his books In court today was by prac-
tically admitting that unless II was
shown that the Warwick and Coventry
water works was a public necessity, the
sale of It's property for taxes could not
be restrained. An injunction cannot be
obtained ordinarily for the purposes OF
escaping taxation.
Col Quinn was ready for the new lay
taken by the master OF the waterworlEs
The colonel had n bunch OF affiiavits
20 show that Brother Arnold's concern
was OF very trifing value to his fellow
townsmen or their plants.
The superintendents or bosses OF
every manufactory from Phenix 10
Coventry declared the complainant
company was of little, IL any advan-
tage TO any OF their establishments
The acting health officer of the town
DIR. Archambault. deposed that the
health Of the town would not be IN
the least menaced by the sale OF any OF
the complainants property. and OF like
opinion was Or. Sprague, who for more
than 20 years was health officer OF the
town.
The Democratic and Republican
members of the town council Joined In
sn affidavit to the effect that the town
could get along II the Warwick and
Coventry company stopped business.
Three OF the four fire chiefs depoSed
that the town did not need the com
pany for fire protection; and the rival
water company told how effective It's
new service was.
Mr.. Arnold wanted a week 10 do things
10 the affdav1ts as he expressed IT, They
were made, he declared. by officeholders
and frineds OF the rival company.
MT. ArnOlu 1urnlsned Col. quinn WIFI
the Information that IL the colonel filed
his answers he would promptly he put
out OF court and further hearing on the
injunction petition would not be neces.
sary
Col Quinn produced copies OF the towr
records which showed among then
other things that Enos Lapham. who
every one supposed until his death owned
the water works. was president OF the
town council In 1890 when It was voted
20 exempt the WarwioS and Coventry
water works for taxation for five years
or until It's plant become a dividend pay.
Ing stock"
Mr.. Arnold esl not quite like Judg,
Mumfords intimation that the affidavts
submitted might be answered I'm less thar
q week. Mr.. Arnold claimed he could not
tell much about what was In the affidav
IT'S submitted from merely hearing then
fattled of"
Col. Quinn suggested that Mr.. Arnolt
would probably answer all the affidavit,
himself
The hearing went over one week though
Mr.. Arnold would not bind himself 20 b.
ready then. lie announced that he woul,
take an exception up 10 the suprem,
court on Judge Mupmford's refusal 10 de
clare the bill Of complaint taken as con
fessed.