Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1910-10-20
NEW SEWER
IN THE AIR
Council Spent Hours With
The Problem
WITH NO SOLUTION OF It
All Agree as to It's Neces-
sity, But Are at Loss as
to How the Means for It's
Support Shall Be Supp
lied for Building It.

If some good mathematician will
come to the front just now, do a
little figuring and show Tempe how
it can raise the necessary money for
the support of a sewerage system
without doubling taxes. that party
viii perform a lasting service to the
town. The city council and a dozen
or so citizens wrestled with the
problem for three solid hours night
before last and at the end of that
period was about as far from a So
luton as at the start.
The council held a special session
Tuesday evening for the purpose of
considering the question and during
the three hours that ensued, the
question was taken up from all
standpoints 1t was agreed by all
that the sewer system is a sanitary
necessity; the only question is, how
shall it be supported?
Engineers Knipe and Parish, who
were present at the meeting su
mitted a few figures, showing that
the estimated cost of such a system
as Tempe viii require to be about
$4,000. To get the matter in shape
for discussion, Aver moved that an
election be called for the purpose of
voting whether or no bonds be Is
sued for that amount for the con-
struction of the system. When it
came to a vote, Aver, Goodwin and
Dimes voted yes while Curry voted
no. Ellingsen did not want to vote
at all. Both of the latter claimed
that they were as much in favor of
the system as any one else and APP
preciated its necessity but wanted
more time to consider the matter.
The city attorney expressed his
favor of the plan but did not see
how it was feasible. There seems to
be but one way out of the difficulty;
that is 20 vote the bonds. pay the
interest each year and provide for a
sinking fund by a direct tax which
will practically mean doubling the
present tax rate. 1t is acknowledged
that a more satisfactory method is
the special tax on the areal plan;
that is, assess the property of the
town so much per front foot for the
total cost of the system and have
it over with all at once but ac
cording to Mr., Knipe, the law does
not permit of this method and ii
will require an act of congress to
permit of this which may mean de
Law Of a year or so. After nearly
three hours of discussion, the coun-
ell reconsidered its motion to call
the election and the matter stands
were it did previous to the meeting
with the difference that the members
of the council and the citizens who
were present have the advantage of
what they may have learned about
sewer systems in general.
Though the question is dropped for
the moment, the fact still remains
that Tempe must have a sewer sys-
tenn and it is believed that some
plan will shortly be devised whereby
the desired result will be obtained.
Like all other municipal improve
ments, this viii take time and dis
cussion and will probably mean high
er taxes eventually but town must
either advance or go back, it can't
stand still and a sewer system will
be another step forward.
Another action of the council was
the reconsideration of the permit
that was granted the Overland Tele-
pone company last week to erect
poles for as many as five pay sta
tons in town. Upon the adoption
of a resolution, the council restricted
the number of these pay stations to
two, one in the main part of town
and the other near the Normal.