La Junta tribune., 1910-05-07
City Council.


burned the midnight oil at their reg
ular council meeting, having so much
business to attend to that their early
morning nap was somewhat disturbed
by visions OF sizzling thirteen page
typewriter letter on the soft water
proposition, In which the city OF La
Junta. and the city dads as well, were
placed upon the frying pan. Their
dreams were also punctured with
bond issues. condemnation proceed.
ings for sewer right-of-way and other
trifles, none OF which were light as
air. Besides the thirteen pages on
the water proposition they were also
forced to listen. perfunctorily, to the
music OF the city clerks voice while
he read half dozen lengthy ordin-
ances and when both hands on the
municipal clock were straight up
They decided TO adjourn until last
night. and at that time expected to
take some definite action on the soft
water proposition and also the pro
posed bond issue to refund $4,000
worth of water bonds.
The letter on the soft water propo
sition was written by F. NJ. Bisbee
chief engineer OF the western grand
division Of the Santa Fe. and In II he
severely criticises the city council for
neglect In failing to consider the pro
position submitted last January to
furnish La Junta soft water supply
from Little Horse creek, about sixty.
five miles northwest of La Junta. He
says that this supply can be furnish
cd to the city OF La Junta at an ad'
ditional expense for each hydrant
now in use OF not over 10 cents per
hydrant. MIR Bisbee figures that eigh-
ty-six carloads OF alkali. forty tons TO
the car. are now being dumped upon
the lawns and into the stomachs OF
the people OF La Junta each year.
That Is something awful to contem'
plate. II this Is true 1t Is great
wonder that any Of US have survived
long enough TO read the tale. and
truly renarkable that some OF us are
getting fat even under such harrow
ing conditions.
The city council is In daze over
the intention at last nights meeting u
the intention at las highs meeting ia
call an election and submit the pro
position to vote Of the people. II
the people want pure soft water and
are willing to pay for II II will be
up to them to decide. The city coun
ell does not propose to shoulder the
burden or the blame. and We believe
they are wise In taking the course
they have decided upon.
Another proposition that is to be
submitted to vote OF the people Is
the proposed refunding OF $500,
worth Of water and reservoir bonds
that were issued ten years ago. Tn,
bonds are due and payable at the
option OF the city In ten years. bu'
may run another ten years. provid
ing certain sum is set apart cacf
year for u sinking fund. These bond'
are drawing six per cent interest. The
council has received a proposition
from w. 4. Sweet 4 Co.. to take NJ
this issue with u new issue OF five
per cent bonds. which will ObyiAt'
the necessity Of establishing = sink
ing fund for ten years and thus en-
able the council to wipe out the out
standing warrant indebtedness Of th'
water plant. by accepting the pro
position OF ". u. Sweet 4 Co. thu
city will sove $4,000 In interest II
ten years. the proposed new
interest rate being one per cent less
The company will handle the bond II
sue for = commission Of two per cent
or $500. The special election vii
cost about $500. or = total expense
Of Si.160. by accepting the PROPOSE
ton Of the bond company tho cit!
will effect 4 net saving Of 1910 II
trn years. This is worth considering
and ought to meet with the approys
Of the property owners.