The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1909-09-09

chase OF a WaterWorks system, which
produces revenue and yields profit,
such as Fayetteville and the city of
Nashville, and other places which
might be named. II the burdens here
tofore have increased taxes, it is high
time that the progressive citizens of
Johnson City should look for revenue
producing asset which will enable the
city to decrease the taxes. This we, as
a wide-awake people no having an OPP
portunity to do, will doubtless take
the first decisive step on the 18th inst.
"Fact No. 5" is incorrect so far as it
pertains to what Johnson City will do
or can do in this matter. We don't
know and can not discuss the reasons
why the water company has not paid
for It's plant. Upon the basis of its
gross earnings we hardly think ii UNI
reasonable to say that it certainly
should have done so. The statement
made contemplates that all the earn
ings of the city's plant will be put
back into the ground. This is errone-
Gus for the reason, that according to
engineers estimate the amount of the
appropriation contemplated will con-
struct new and up-to-date water Sys-
tenn complete and adequate TO the
supply of the city's present demands
and extensions, may be figured on the
increase of business as the growth of
the city requires GXtentions to be made.
The city has figured the expense Incl
dent to the ownership and operation
of the plant upon the basis of an esti-
mated amount which, according to
the most intelligent and conservative
calculation, show that the plant will
start off on a basis of earnings which
will yield handsome profit from the
very beginning. 1t will take more
than as much as the water company
has already expended In the construc-
ton of its plant to extend and enlarge
its plant to make it anything like an
adequate system, and it Is strange that
if its past expenditures have been upon
losing basis, that it should want tC
launch itself further into the enter
prise. There is a gross Inconsistency
in this matter which discreditS the ar
gument on the part of the water com.
pany.
"Fact No. 81 deserves but little con.
sideration, for the reason that the city
is no hampered, and the growth of in
dustries checked, and new capital
baked on its march to Johnson City
by the fact which is conceded that the
water supply for domestic and manu-
featuring purposes is wholly made
, quate. What we need is not much
new blood and new energy, but new
water supply to keep our blood and en-
ergy and industries at least in norma
condition.
Fact No is wall about the income
and resources of johnson City at the
! present time. Johnson City absolutely
has no income and no resources at The
present time. 1t does not own single
thing on earth which produces revenue
What we want is the ownership o
) something which will supply long
: felt want of the city and at the same
| time make the city money, This W.
; are satisfied the city will get, because
: we believe that they have the courage
; to step forward and take hold of thi'
t situation i'll a mastery way and tina
: all the conditions will be commanded
, and made to produce the desired re
l suits. How does it happen that only
| the friends of the water company keel
? up the calamity howl and talk of leap
ing in the dark. take it that tn,
2 people are intelligent, comprehend tn,
situation, know their own right an(
1 will vote for themselves, their wive
3 and children, and johnson City, in
} stead of breaking their necks in a rough
: and tumble fight to boost and pu
, through the claims and schemes of ;
. private cooperation in its effort t,
4 make money.
l Fact No. s is mere attempt TO cas-
4 reflection. The options taken and re
S ferred to belong to the city, have beer
$ secured by the city's fund, and no MAJ
has or can have the remotest right 0
e interest in the same. We have no
= sought to win this question by insinua
e tons against the good name and char
t acter of anybody, and the effort to d
4 so here will meet with very cold re
ception we take it in the minds of fair
t minded and right-thinking men.
I Fact No. 9 discusses the selection of
C reservoir site and condemns Tannery Knob
l. The writer agrees that it is not the prope
b time to select any knob or place for reseI
z voir site. The engineers have stated i
,, their report to the city that there are at lea.
l. three sites within reach, and there is n
S reason why the best may not be selected an
= used when the proper time arrives for dom