The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-12-21

generally recognized, in view of the
apparent need of expensive better
ments in order to affort the most ade-
quate fire protection: in view of the
expiration of the present contract in
1912. and in view of the possibility of
the purchase of the property within
that period. as provided in that con-
tract.
Not All Approved.
The members Of this board. in max
ing this somewhat extended comment
and analysis Of the engineers report
| instead of submitting it to your honor
| able body with a brief, but sweeping
| endorsement, have been constrained to
this course by this fact: While we rec
ognize the value and Importance of
the engineers repor. on the condition
OF the property. and his recommended
tions for betterments. as we'll as his
inventory Of the plant in detail. and
the analysis of the books by the &C
countant, We were unable to give our
approval to all the conclusions of the
report. And while the facts found
and recommendations made meet our
hearty assent, for the most part. we
did not desire. either by a general con-
currence or even by our silence, to
place ourselves in the position of en-
| dorsing some of these conclusions,
which we have taken the liberty to con-
slider, discuss and dissent from in this
our report. Neither did we desire that
the incoming administration should be
e;1a
with any further negotiations it may
have with the water company.
We believe in municipal ownership.
not only for its direct benefits, but
as one of the surest means of raising
the standard of the public service in
our cities; and We do not doubt but
that majority of the citizens of Rich
mond also believe in it. We should
be glad if some practical way might
be discovered whereby the city could
become the owner of the water works.
But unless some public spirited CAPT
talists be found who are willing to
buy the property and lease it to the
city Ga remote prospecD allowing the
latter to pay for it out of he profits in
excess of a moderate interest charge
within a term of years, We see no
way for the city to become its owner
in the near future, in view of our pres
ent indebtedness, rate of taxation and
general financial condition.
Might be Successful.
| 1t has been suggested that perhaps
another persistent effort by the Light.
Heat & Power company to purchase
the municipal light plant might prove
successful, and in that event the city
might be in position to buy the wat
er works. But as such proposal
would have to be approved by a ma
jority of the voters of the city We
cannot believe such a change is prob
able, in view of the unparalleled sue
cess of the city's light plant In the
past three or four years.
i The only alternative, then. is the
making of a new contract with the
water company before October, 1912.
But in so doing, the idea of municipal
ownership should be kept in view.
and such contract should only cover
the time necessary for the city to pay
off its bonded debt and get in posi-
ton to take over the property and it
should include an option for the city
to purchase during such time-say,
ten years.
/ It is our own belief that the present
hydrant rates are too high-being the
highest in Indiana. we are informed
and also that substantial reduction
could fairly be made to private con-
sumers; and that instead of a meter
rental. small minimum charge
should be made to cover interest on
meters and expense of statements
where little water is used.
This board would have been glad to
take up negotiations with the water
company. looking to new contract,
but the delay of the consulting eng1-
neer's report, together with the time
required to examine and digest the
report afterwards, left no opportunity
for us to even take up the work. to
say nothing of completing it, in view
of our retirement from office January
first next.
A Little elarney.
AS this is the last formal communi-
cation we shall have to present to
your honorable body, We gladly take
this occasion to express our thanks
and appreciation for the uniform
kindness and courtesy shown the
board as i body and its members in
dividually by the members of council.
the mayor and all the officials OF the
city and their subordinates. Our Off
cial and personal relations with all
have been most pleasant. and while
we have not always agreed in our
views. there was no bitterness, and,
what is still better. there has never
been a charge Or hint or thought OF
graft made by anybody connected
with the city government against any
body else connected Herewith, despite
the fact that the legislative depart
ment is unanimously republican, and
: the executive department is demo
cratic This speaks well for both par
ties and well for the public service OF
this city during the present admins
tration. We have all done our bes;