St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1909-08-14
SEVERAL HORNS OF
POWER PLANT ME.II
sen, Bend, Or Threa.Mlll Ralse In Present
Taxes. TIE Problem HsW Up loE s0IasEaE.
NO COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday, Bscausa u Abssass af Several
Members. Viii Probably neEagg Ii CaaRElE
Without Gemmtifas Recommendation.

The committee appointed BIZ the
city council to devise ways and means
I'd better the present waterworks and
electric lights service, did not meet
Thursday, the day set for its con-
vokation.
Alderman Lewis was absent, as
was also Committeeman Sam Evans.
Those present, of the committee,
were Mayor Halphen and Alderman
Daniel and Dietlein, and COMMITTEES
man Arthur Gosselin.
The meeting was rot called to or
der, those present preferring to
await 4 full attendance Ii fact the
views Oh the matter are 50 varied
that it is possible that the committee
will take no action, but viii put che
matter straight to the Board Of
Aldermen.
The matter has resolved itself into
three horns Of dilemma: Sell the
plant to 3 private corporation, submit
to the people the question Of voting
d bond Issue, or raising tie millage
three mills higher, without d vote of
the people
Messrs. Dfetlein and Healey, alder
men, favor the latter plan far the
best, III fact the only practicable
plan. a bond issue will be defeated,
and as the council has the legal right
To add three mills To the present tax,
Il should do SO.
Messrs Dietlein. Lewis and Daniel
have submitted their views on the
matter III writing, which We give
below
afr Dietlein's views:
think the best plan 10 raise
money 10 put the waterWorks and
electric lights plant IN good repair
is to raise the millage three mills,
and pledge about $500 year for
ten years, and borrow enough on that
To pay the same.
r DIETLEI
Mr. Danel's report:
10 the Honorable M. HaIDhin, Chair
man, 0pelousas
According To the agreement be-
tween members Of this committee,
that each submit ii writing his views.
/ beg to submit the following
Ist. That the present machinery
needs repairing, s0nae renewing
2nd. That the principal cause of
the present condition 0f tie machine
" Is due to wear and tear, incidental
to usage, further To tie increased
demands made upon il by reason of
growth of the city. This viii appear
obvious when we recall the fact that
the present boilers were installed
about twelve years ago and have been
ID constant service since.
3rd. That certain changes and ad-
ditions should be mads I'd the Water
Work System, principally by way be
extension and additional mains 30 AS
to justify d reduction III insurance
rates.
9th. Al system Of systemetic inveT-
tories, accounts and auditing Of books
should BIZ adopted, to the end Of not
only accounting for all receipts and
disbursements, but also to the end of
Ecomparing Onr results with those Obj
tanned ID other cities and of Iocaliz-
ing each loss or profit 81 Is 10 Be
able To ascertain Id what particular
branch correction is needed.
5eh. That the best way to obtain
/ the necessary funds with which 10
make the needed repairs and improve
mants ID bg d bond issue. This / be.
llieve to be the only way to properly
solve the problem for the reason:
1st.) That ID matter Of this impor,
tance the tax payer should decide
l2nd. Because the money could hi
had 81 much lower rate hy bonds
than by other means. l3rd Because
/ the burden would be spread over ;
longer term and thus be aghtel
sach year In making this suggest
ion ] am fully aware Of the fact thai
! objection may be made to it On thl
ground that the bond issue will b
voted down. All / have to say as i
this Is that / am Of the opinion tha
when tie question Is squarely put +
the tax payers they will vote for th
bond Issue. Should they howeve
conclude after due consideration /
vote otherwise ii il matter wit
J their conscience, and ! as one Of tEei
conneilmen and as citizen will !
satisfied with their decision: but 4
not think it would be proper to dodg
/ the issue sd as I'd do IN q roundauoV
way something, which On d straigl
issue would not meet with the a
proval OF tie taxpayer am only
! representative and IS such want y
8 views of my principals on this inp0r
3 AIT issue.
4 65th That Id order % Obtair
9 exact knowledge III what Il need
4 ard the cost thereof, commit