Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-11-15
THE WATER SITUATION.
rHE CAPITAL JOURNAL notes that
the Statesman and that also DR.,

THE CAPITAL. JOURNAL notes that
the Statesman and that also Dr.
Sleeves, mayor-elect Of the city
of Salem, have come out in favor OF
the city purchasing the plant Of the
present water company. Before go
ing into the matter thoroughly The
Capltal Journal does not know wheth-
er It will be able to agree with the
morning paper and with Dr. Sleeves on
the water situation or not. But in all
respect and courtesy to the Statesman
and to DR.. Sleeves who may be right
I'm the stand they have taken, we feel
that the stand taken by them Is In
each instance a little premature-we
feel that both the Statesman and Dr.
Sleeves should first consult the people
and the wishes OF the people before
taking their stand. We feel that both
the Statesman and DR., Sleeves should
devote the present time to first ascer-
tanning as near as possible what the
wishes Of the people are and then de-
vote the balance OF their time and en-
ergies TO carrying out the wishes Of
the people as against any selfish OBJ
jcct Of any corporation or special in
terests, which, as the matter is further
gone into, may or may not hereafter
be apparent.
The Capital Journal knows little as
yet about the local water situation,
but ON this as well as every other mat
ter which concerns the welfare Of the
city Of Salem, and her people, The
Capital Journal intends to get posted
we are going to the bottom for the
facts and we will then lay all the
facts before the people. If the present
water plant Is for sale--and we pre-
sumo it is providing the right price Is
forthcoming-an 1t is found to be
for the best interests Of the city Of
Salem to purchase such plant-well
and good-but The Capital Journal
wants and viii first get all the facts,
The people Of the city Of Salem and
not the Morning Statesman, nor May
0r-Elcct Sleeves nor the city council
should purchase the water plant in
case 1t is purchased, and as u news
paper operated In behalf of all the
people, The Capital journal intends
10 place the matter from time to time
Honestly carefully and fearlessly be,
fore the people 1t will then be up tc
the people to decide
Opinions of several or more engin
GERS win doubtless be necessary II
first determining the fairest cheapes
and best thing to do The water com
pany has It's money invested and Il
entitled to a square deal not only be
cause right is right, but because It Il
generally best--price and everything
else being reasonable-to buy a gonl
and paying concern, than TO start
new one,
This is a matter which should not b.
hurricd-lt should be carefully gou,
into-u should be discussed and in
spcctcd from all sides and then, whcl
the best and most honest engineer
obanablo have rendered their report
the people should do some more think
ing and talking and then decide b.
their vote what they want TO do
Let all the people vote and decide
this and every other issue which con
Germs the city of Salem and her pco
pie says Tho Capital Journal
lt Is not the mission of THE Capita
Journal TO influence the people u,nc
papers can do as they please but lt q
and ever viii be the mission ot Th
Capital journal to lay the facts bee
fore the people us fast as this pape
can secure such facts, and then
should Dee mp TO the people and mo- ON
elise but the people, 20 decide what 4
best for Salem and for 0ts people.
5.-su----,-s..----s---a1-.,.-u