The Alamogordo news. (Alamogordo, N.M.) 1899-1912, 1907-08-10

connection with the use of city
water, but this business of try
ing to make us pay for something
not contracted for, and then suf-
terlng a penalty through no viO-
lation upon our part, can't be
made to stick. The original pro-
moters who laid out AlamOgordo
and planted the trees and con-
Quoted water to them to keep
them alive, didn't do all this
from any especial love for the
people: no, they wanted to
make an attractive town, and
dispose of their large property
holdings to the best advantage,
and this tree planting and water
ing stunt was part of their plan
to make the town more attrac-
tive. We don't deny that the
trees add very materially to the
beauty and desirability of Ala
mOgordo, but think the proper
place for the water works COM
pany to seek pay for irrigating
the trees is from the county, to
whom the streets and the trees on
them belong. There are very
few of us who consume the
minimum amount of water for
which we pay meter rates, and
for one would much prefer to
irrigate the trees in front of my
property from the hydrant and
even then don't think the 81 .25
worth of water would be con-
sumed each MONTH"
AL Pierce: 'In view of the
fact that the improvement COM
pany has taken care of the trees
of Alamogordo for the past seven
years without any expense what
ever to the citizens, think it
is strictly up to the people to as
sumo the burden that has here
tofore been borne for them. l
for one am more than willing to
pay for the irrigation of the
trees in front of my property and
consider the proposed charge a
very reasonable one."
| DR.. Gilbert: II believe that
the only sensible solution of the
question is through village in
corporation, as by this means
the matter of taxation could be
properly and equitably distribu-
ted for the benefit of all. | do
not think that the water COM
pany can collect the proposed
charge for tree irrigation in the
manner stated, and should it
attempt to do so it will find suf-
ficient opposition to make it in
teresting. There is no question
whatever but what the people
should pay for all of the neces-
sites and accessories that go to
make our town more desira bic
and beautiful place, but | think
the people should own and con-
troll absolutely all of the public
utilities including the water
works. By village Incorporation
we might be able to accomplish
this end, but | have no great
hopes of this object being at
tanned for the immediate present
at least. AS regards the right
to make the charge as contem-
plated by the water company,
the county has the right to i'm
pose a tax upon the very bitches
that the water company would
use in conveying water for the
purpose of irrigating the trees,
and this tax could be made to
offset the cost of tree irrigation
for the town"
G. j. Wolfnger: Il do not OBJ
ject to the proposition in gen.
eral way, but | do think the water
company has gone about the
matter in a high handed manner
We are arbitrarily notified that
we must pay for watering the
trees, and the question as tC
whether or not the demand is
Just and meets with our ap.
proval is entirely ignored. Tc
make an arbitrary statement
is one thing, but to carry out
the intention is an entirely diff.
ferent proposition and should be
carefully considered as to way:
and means. Possibly penalty
tackled on to our hydrant water
bills might accomplish the de.