The log cabin Democrat., 1907-02-14

that have studied the question say that waterworks and gasworks are more nearly alike than any other industries in which municipalities now engage. The estimated cost at Russellville was about the same, and this proves that private cap ital is ready to invest where the city failed.
 I have proved that on account of fred tape" the financing of nun icipal ownership waterworks sys- tenn in Conway would be almost impossible and that 1t is rendered more nearly impossible since the aggressive party has all the work to do. I have refuted the argu- ment of the affirmative that nun icipal ownership would be a solu- tion of the question if there was not sufficient demand at present to support a private company, and have shown you that men who have studied the local situation say that private capital is ready to in vest. Also I have refuted the ar gument of the affirmative that the quality of water is better under municipal ownership than under private ownership. have shown you that taxes would necessarily be much higher, that the method of assessing is unjust, and that there would be division of public sentiment in regard to municipal ownership. I have also shown you that in the opinion of the men most nearly connected with the light plant that its success is chief ly due to the managers keeping 1t out of politics and that is the opin- ion of these men that waterworks could not be kept out of politics as it has been.
 Therefore we conclude that 1t would be almost impossible for Conway to construct a waterworks system and that it would be an un- wise, unnecessary and an unjust method of meeting the local situa- tion. It remains for us since we grant that waterworks in Conway as a necessity to point out a suc- cessful plan.
 We are in favor of private owner ship and operation under regula- tions and requirements such that they will be required to furnish water, the quantity and quality of which can not be questioned. Just here let me read what Mir. John w. Hill says: Every water coms pany should be required to- supply water in quantity and quality to meet the most exacting require ments of it's patrons; it should be required to maintain its physical works in good condition; it should be required to develop its resourc- es contemperaneous with or in ad- vance of the requirements of the community; it should be required tossell its product at a rate which after paying maintenance charges and fixed charges on the invest ment for the work will yield reas- onable profit to the holders of the stock; and it should be always will ling to meet and remove any reas- enable objection which may be raised to the service rendered in spirit of fairness and justice to the community upon the necessities and the favor of which it depends for its revenue.
 But the affirmative may say that private ownership water company cannot be regulated. This we de- ny on the authority of the laws of Arkansas. The city council is given power to regulate the price charged, to require the water to be pure and to put all the other con- ditions in the franchise and make the franchise revocable if the con- ditions are not fulfilled. This seems to be the means now favored by men who have made thea aclosest study of the franchise qqestion If these conditions are made in the franchise then the question of the cost of water and the service in
 eneral all lies with the city coun- cil.
 Here the affirmative may say that there is opportunity for "graft. This we admit, but can it be supposed to be nearly as great as it is when the whole thing is in the hands of a self-perpetuating board who are ill no way responsi- ble to the people for their ofices9 The question of graft" resolves itself into this, is it easier for a body that is dependent on the sui frage of the people to obtain money