St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-07-17
IN JUSTICE TO THE COMPANY.

IN JUSTICE TO THE COMPANY.
| For years Covington had been sub.
| ject to spasmodic spells in which she
dreamed of a WaterWorks system owned
| by the town, adequate in it's service to pa
irons and the needs of an up-to-date fire
department. Each succeeding fire recalled
these spells until under palliative treatment,
they assumed subdued chronic form, re-
sulting in the establishment Of a fire de-
partment equipped in advance of it's water
supply.
We are confronted with projects of
Importance that require financing before
the people will be able to take up the ques-
ton of public Waterworks. We must COM
rlete the school-house and we must provide
funds for running the schools for the full
term of nine months. If the people are will
ing to assume an additional bond issue for
public improvements the difficulty is over
come. In the meantime the demand for a
sufficient and convenient supply of water in
case of fire is urgent, and the council will
have fire plugs put in at advantageous
places. There seems to be some disagree
ment as to the duties and rights of the wa
ter company as provided in it's charter, the
dispute being as to the right of the town to
establish these plugs and make connections
for fire purposes free of charge, the COM
pany maintaining that no such right exists
under fair Interpretation of its charter
The abuse of the power of corporations
has created such strong feeling against
them throughout the country that the peo-
pie are prone to jump at the conclusion that
any demand made by them is subject to
suspicion, and that watchful eye is needed
to check their greed and protect the public.
But in the present case there should be no
such suspicion. The stock of this company
is owned by citizens who have the interest
of Covington at heart. The plant was in
stalled with knowledge that upon the fu-
ture growth of Covington depended the
profits of the company, and it is to the inter-
est of the company to promote development
of the town. We have been at pains to get
at the bottom of facts, and we find that the
receipts of the company for water for the
past two years averaged $183 per month.
Against this is an investment of $11, 1868. "a,
drawing per cent interest, 5000. so, annu-
ally To be added to this is the cost of rum
ming expenses, labor, repairs and deprecia-
ton of plant. It is estimated that in six
years renewal of pipes will become neces-
sary. There has never been dividend de-
clared.. 1t is readily seen that the privilege
is no sinecure. There was at first dispo-
sition to construe the charter as giving the
town the right to free use of water, but the
opinion Of Town Attorney Richard shows
that while the right exists to use the water
as at present distributed by the company it
has no right to tap mains and use the water
free of charge. In view of the fact that the
company has been little more than self-sup-
porting and that it has added greatly to the
comfort and protection of the town, there
should be no disposition, even if the power
existed, to force it to the wall or to for
feiture of it's franchise.
The charge of the company OF. 81. 90 per
plug for use of water is, we understand
but one-half the usual charge made in other
towns, and is a very liberal concession.
The st. Tammany Ice and Manufacture
ing Company has been very liberal in it's do
nations to all entertainments for public bene-
fit, always furnishing lights and ice free of
charge, and has shown a commendable in
terest in all movements for the advancement
of the town.