Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-04-23
Council Bluffs.
CITIZENS WOULD BUY PLANT
Valuation Fixed by Court Seems
Satisfactory to Many.
COUNCnMEN APPEAR FAVORABLE
~ No Objections Are Raised and
Council Accepts, VIII he Possible
to Take water system in
Month.

There were many expressions Of opinion
/ yesterday concerning the $4,000 valuau-r
! placed upon the cty's water plant by the
| court of condemnation. While there was
general note Of disappointment on &C
J count OF the high price fixed. there was a
| remarkable unanimty of opinion that the
time for action has arrived and that moth
ing would be gained by any attempt to
secure a reduction of the price to be paid
| for the plant.
Several city officials and a number OF
attorneys made estimates OF the probable
cost of litigation that would follow an APP
peal from the decision Of the condemnation
court
The estimates ranged all the way from
a few thousand dollars to $4,000 with the
| additional loss and damage to the city by
the years Of delay that would be certain
to follow.
Opinions were asked from scores Of
business and professional men and heavy
taxpayers. and not one failed to express
the conviction that the proper course to
pursue now lie 20 accept the findings OF
the court and take over the plant at the
earliest practical moment. There was also
an entire absence OF criticism of the court.
The high character Of the judges and the
conscientious work they have bestowed
upon their task were freely acknowledged.
II was also noted that there was no ad-
verse opinion among the members of the
court Their verdict was unanimous and
the result Of conclusions carefully reached.
Report to Council.
The findings of the court will be off,
cialy reported to the city council at the
meeting on Monday evening. At first 1t
was believed that there would be consider
able opposition, possibly enough to pre-
vent the acceptance of the award, but a
majority of the members yesterday ex-
pressed the opinion that nothing could be
gained by delay and the matter should be
settled at once. canvass of the council
yesterday afternoon showed six of the
| eight members in favor Of Immediate
action. with one of the minority unde-
cided.
| II. at the meeting on Monday evening,
| the council accepts the valuation the plant
| may become the property of the city
within thirty days. No official action is
required except the instructions to nogou-
ate the sale OF the 100000 worth of water
bonds. The resolution providing for the
issuance OF these bonds was passed by
the council two years ago. and all that
is necessary now is to advertise for bids
for the purchase OF the bonds. No diff
Guilty Ii anticipated in disposing of the
bonds at a premium. They will draw per
cent interest and will run twenty years.
Before the present litigation commenced
the city had about $4,000 in its water works
sinking fund. The cost OF the condemna-
ton will be about $4,000, so the city will
have, approximately. $4,000 available at
once to enlarge the plant. This will be in
sufficient to carry out the plans outlined
by Mr.. Williams for the installation OF a
| hill service system that will cover all of
| the hill districts and provide for the lay
| ing of larger mains in the South Main
street district, but will be ample to de-
velop the plant to a point where 1t will
! give adequate service throughout the
| greater part OF the city.
N Y Plumbing Co Tel $50 Night Linn