The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1911-10-05
iTY ACQUIRES WATER WORKS.

The water works plant was formally
transferred to the city last Tuesday for
e47, 1900, the price previously agreed
pom. This is the first public utility ac-
|uired by the city of Manitowoc and SC
erhaps marks an epoch. A short re-
lew of what has led up to the pur-
base may not be out of place. The
liant was built in 1888 and completed
1889 under twenty-year franchise
ranted to Motfet, Hodgkins & Clark.
he money to build the plant was Sc
bred by selling Sl65,000 of bonds on
he plant. The company operated the
ant until 1897 when the bond issue
hd been increased to 100000 and the
,mpany owed $4,000 besides. That
bar T. W.'Gray, G. e. Gray and G. w.
axey purchased the equity, as it is
ported, for $4,000, this money going
pay the increased indebtedness. I.
1. Gray became the manager and the
venues of the plant Immediately in
eased and the plant now became
lancially sound.
In 1907 the public utility law was
|ssed and in 1908 the company filed its
(tice that it elected to take ar iode-
cminate permit under the law.
In about 1900 the people of the city
mmenced to agitate an adjustment
the water rates, purchase OF the
hnt and other matters in connection
tn the plant. Mr.. Gray let it be
own that if the city would make a
W contract with the company, the
mpany would reduce its rates by one
rd. In 1905 Henry Stole, Jr., was
Pcted mayor. He commenced cam
ign to make people believe that the
INT was worthless, sworn-out junk
hp. This was so successful that
B5, 900 of the 100000 outstanding
hds were purchased by Mr.. Gray and
bse on the inside with him for about
cents on the dollar. Thus in the
b years that Mr.. Stole was mayor,
P5-l90f, Mr.. Gray and his associates
the campaign made about $4,000
n 1908 the water plant was apprais-
by commission appointed under
ordinance, the appraisal being for
purpose of purchase. The com
ssion was M. J. Jetfries of GAINESVILLE,
by. for the company, Simon Gillen Of
eboygan and Prof. Turnenre of
Olson. They appraised the plant at
1000. The leading business men of
city advocated the purchase at this
&c. The question of purchase had
be submitted to a vote Oft the people.
Stolze and his followers opposed
purchase, claiming that the price
too high. The purchase was de-
ted by small vote.
the spring of 1907 c. A. Grotfman
elected mayor and in August
secured from the company an offer
|ell the plant to the city for $3.50, 900,
ment to be made $4,000 in cash
the plant to be subject to the
DIS. Mr.. Stole opposed the pur-
Sc and the proposition to buy was
in voted down by the people.
the fall of 1907 the purchase of the
bit was taken up before the commits
in an informal way to get an ap-
sal by the railroad commission.
ran along until the fall of 1910
n formal proceeding was COM
hced to acquire the plant through
commission. The commission filed
award in June, 1911 fixing the price
236, 900.
r. Stolze was elected mayor in
il 1911. The Water Co. insisted
the valuation made by the COM
sion was too low. To get immed-
possession and avoid litigation and
b the deal the mayor and council
the company S247,50o and re-
of the company's taxes for the
quarter of the year. This is an
ease in cash of ST, 800 over the
raised price, and ST., 800 more than
puld have been purchased for four
IS ago.
hen Mr.. Stole was mayor four
s ago Mr.. Gray and his associates
pretty well and(they have not Jared
adly now. II. w. Gray preserves
memento the pen that Mayor
re used when the final contract was
ed. Who has come off the best in
matter? So much for history. 1t
aims to be seen whether or not the
hase on this basis will prove of
bfit to the city. One thing is GER
IT. w. Gray and his associates
become rich through the pur-
of the bonds and the sale to the