Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1910-04-30
WATER WORKS FACTS AND
FIGURES FOR VOTERS
The Truth Regarding the LOWERING Of
Mains and Value Of the Plant

| The present city officials were
elected one year ago on promises and
pledges that they stood for municipal
ownership of the water plant and
Tor public street improvements. They
have prepared and submitted to the
people OF this city. for their vote
both of these questions.
| The opposition circular says in the
hrst paragraph, I'VE are heartily in
favor Of the city owning the water
works, provided such ownership will
better the condition OF the water
consumers, and not request us to
assist corporation in unloading un-
desirable water plant on the taxDay-
ers of the city at double it's value"
II this is true then we are all in
favor OF the city owning a water
works system and the only question
is whether the city should build a
new plant with its money, or buy the
old one. The election notice. the or
dinance, and the sample ballot all
show you that the question now to
be voted on is for $4,000 to con-
struct or purchase a water works
system for the city.
Read the ordinance, or election no.
tice or sample ballot and see whether
this is not true. The reason this was
stated in this manner was so the
city council could use the $4,000
to construct a new water works plant
for the city, or, in case the council
deemed 1t to the best interest of the
city, to purchase the present plant,
they could do so without calling an
other special election at great ex-
pense to decide that point. To vote
for these bonds then simply means
you are in favor of the city owning a
water works system. If the question
carries, then If you favor building a
new plant instead of buying this one
of the Consumers company, or vice
versa, then you should petition the
council to do whichever you desire
them to do in the matter.
Then IL those signers of the opposi-
ton petition are sincere and really
want the city to own its water works
wouldn't they be out working for
the bonds to carry and then petition
the council to build a plant instead
of buying this one from the Con-
sumers company? Their insincerity
Is at once apparent. Mark you, they
do not want the city to own its
water works. They have in their pc
tition attempted to make you be-
lieye that by voting in favor of this
bond issue you are only voting to
purchase the present plant. which is
not true, as you will see by all the !
notices and sample ballots. Why
should they desire to deceive you in
this manner If they want the city to
own It's water system.
Their insineerity and opposition to
the city owning any water works sys-
tenn is shown in their fourth para
graph where they say IF the city |
purchases the water works, the city |
council can at any time increase the
present rates and transfer any sur
plus water funds to assist in paying /
Off any other city indebtedness.
Doesn't this statement prove that
hey are opposed to city ownership
of any water plant? And does It not
show that they have misinformed you
what this vote is really
Tor?
The present Consumers company
plant is composed of l67.145 feet OF
water mains or approximately 81 LIZ
miles of pipe now installed and In
service. These water mains range
from ! inch to ? inch pipe Besides
this amount of pipe, the system In
cludes the following items. at the
estimated present vaiue. after de-
Quoting for usage. as follows:
49,. ......&3,1o0.00
Intake ...-...-.. 5.645.0e
.......15,113.00
Building -....-..... $4,000
-....-..... $4,000
Pump nit ~ $4,000