Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1910-04-28
MUNICIPAL OWNER
SHIP OF WATER
Is Now up to Taxpayers and viii Take
TWO-Thirds Vote to Garry

Ing AOtioWlhS paragraphs in quo
tation are taken from the signed
statement which has been SO freely
distributed in the city in opposition
to the bonds for the purchase OF the
water system by the city:
If the city purchases the water
works, the city council can at any
time increase the present rates and
transfer any surplus water funds to
assist in paying of any other city in
debtedness. The following admins
trations will be compelled to continue
those increased high rates to meet
city Indebtedness. The above has
occurred and If the water bonds
carry. history will repeat itself in
this case. Can the water consumers
and taxpayers AFFORD to jump out OF
the frying pan into tho fire? We
answer emphatically, no."
This statement Is without truth In
fact and we need only to refer the
people who have lived in towns and
cities owning their own water sys-
tenn for confirmation of the fact that
water costs less and the service is as
good In such places as under private
ownership. There has never been an
instance where city has purchased
plant and raised the rates, but on
the other hand every time a change
in ownership has taken place 1t has
resulted in lower rates. The claim
made above is SO ebsurd as to need
no argument against it. Simply do a
little thinking and you will come to
the same conclusion.
when the call was issued for
bonds to purchase the water works,
If a price had been stated somewhere
near their value. and just maximum
rate named. above which no future
city administration could legally in
crease the rate, then the taxpayers
and water consumers would have had
some protection. But as 1t now
stands. the proposed water bonds
should be overwhelmingly defeated.
Voting the water bonds will not re-
lieve the water consumers from pay
ing the present high rates, but must
necessarily increase the rates under
future city administrations to enable
them to rebuild and replace the pres
ent plant with adequate machinery
and good material, and make addi-
tions thereto, which will cost over
100000 in addition to the $134,-
900 in bonds. Where is that money
to come from? The water consum-
ers must foot the bill. 1t is not put
ting it too strong to state that no
practical business man would make
such a purchase and invest his own
private capital"
The above argument contains its
own answer. II the rates are to be
raised under municipal ownership
and the voters indorse this statement
by voting against the bonds. they
will be saying to the Consumers com
pany that its rates are too low and
should be raised and Mr.. Dollar and
Harry Day may take the people at
their word III the company Is com
PEELED to make improvements and
invest the 100000 which It is
claimed will be the case IL the city
buys the plant, no one win be silly
enough to believe that the private
company would not make the con-
sumers pay the cost OF such improve
ments by charging higher rates. Then
why continue to pay it high rates
when you could buy the plant with
out paying any higher rates. at the
same time paying for 1t out Of the
profits? For illustration. II q real
estate man were to offer you a home
and agree to deed it to yoI when you
had finished paying for IL at $40 q
month or offered to rent It to you al
$40 a month you would unquestion-
ably buy the place and get deed for
It rather than pay rent all the time
The water works proposition Il the
same thing. Will you continue to pay
rent or viii you buy 1t and get q
deed on the same terms Of payment!
They claim that the reason for
the bad water furnished us at times
is on account Of the Washington Wat.
- power eompany's dam At Post