Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1908-01-10
MORRIS BROS. WILLING
TO SELL WATER PLANT
Will Meet People of Grants Pass
More Than Half Way In This
Public Matter.

Bros, the Portland firm which owns
the Grants Pass waterworks, was in
this city, Monday and Tuesday for the
purpose of meeting the city council
and also to discuss with that body
and the citizens of Grants Pass the
probability of the city's purchasing
the plant of the Rogue River Water
Co.
Mr.. Morris, in conversation with a
Courier representative remarked that
his firm was convinced that twas only
q question OF very short time until
Grants Pass would be wanting to take
over this plant, as had been the case
with other plants owned by the firm.
He said in his estimtion it was the
proper thing for any city to do to own
it's own water system. 1.-THE bust
ness is good one and we can show
that it 10 earning good money. We
will not expect to receive even what
the plant has cost us and we will give
your city one of the best equipped
plants to be found anywhere. The
pumping station is right up-to-date
and should one pump stop, there is
another one ready to be started up on
very short notice.
1.-THE people of Grants Pass have
treated us very nicely and we do not
care to have ANY trouble over this
matter. We believe, that your people
will admit that we have endeavored to
give the the. best service We could
provide.
"You see, when we installed that
plant, we had an unders; anding with
the city council then in power that
we were to raise the rates, as we
could not afford to keep. the old ones
in.vegue.
'As to the present controversy, l
am convinced that Se would win out,
and / base my calculations upon the
advice of the best legal information
we have been able to obtain. But, as
/ said, wo don't desire to get into
any controversy over this matter. as
we realize that it will eventually
come to this and the city will sooner
or later be wanting to take over the
plant.
1--WE have had several other plants
and find when things get to this stage
that then is the time to let go. For
instance, up at Chehslis, Wash, two
of our men committed suicide and
another became dsfaulter and we
hadlall kinds of trouble, and 1T all
ended in our selling to city and they
gave us much more for the plaut than
we had been asking but they didn'
do this until after they had taken
the matter into the courts and we
were given our rights in the matter.
You see we have rights in conduct.
ing system of waterworks, just a:
you have in ruHning a newspaper.
But, as said, we prefer to meet youi
people aud then to core to some
amicable agreement. -
Mr.. Morris stated that his firm
was perfectly willing to have the mat
ter of the valuation of the plant lef
to experienced and disinterestet
parties. And as to the pay for sam,
he remarked: I'VE do not care foI
the money. The city can issue bonds
readily, upon q vote of the people
aud we will be perfectly willing Il
accept the bonds in payment for th,
plant. He left for California, wher'
he will look after some business
affairs, expecting to return to Port
land in time for the meeting for til,
reorganization Of the Merchant
National Bank, which occurs on th'
I4th inst. In the meautime he stand
ready to confer with the Representa-
tives of the people regarding this mat
ter of great importance to ever.
citizen.