The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1912-05-03
The Water Bonding Proposition

Leavenworth shall issue bonds to the
amount of $40, 900 to purchase the
distribution system Of the Tumwater
Light and Water Co., costing $21, 800,
allowing SO, 900, which is the estimat-
ed cost of installing larger pipes where
now small ones are laid, SO that it will
be possible to provide fire protection
and water for domestic use to all parts
within the corporate limits. will be de-
cided by vote on the Dist day OF the
present month. To make the bonds
legal will require the consent Of three
fifths Of the voters.
The present mayor and the council
were elected and are under a pledge
favoring municipal ownership of the
towns water system.
Whether the city shall acquire by
purchase the water distribution system
of the Tumwater Light and Water Co.,
at cost of $4,000 thus eliminating
competition and becomin g the sole ben
eficiary Of the water re venues and ex
pending a sum which is estimated to
be $4,000 in bringing the water COM
pany's system up to the requirements
OF the property holders is a question
that should compel serious consider
alton on the part OF the voters. By
express stipulation in the contract the
water company cannot be compelled to
supply the city with a greater quantity
of water than that used during the
first two years. The Great Northern
railroad has the first right to the use of
so much of the water as comes through
the supply pipe as will suffice for its
uses. This is an indeterminate guam
tity and may be increased. Should
the water company find it impossible to
supply the town with an increased guam
tity it will be necessary for the town to
make arrangements to get supply
elsewhere. This is one phase of the
question that is entitled to considera-
ton.
That the distribution system of the
Tumwater Light and Water Co., is not
worth to the town the price fixed scarce
ly anyone will deny. Very few of the
pipes are large enough to furnish water
for domestic use and fire protection.
Nearly all of the old pipes will have to
be dug up and replaced with pipe Of
larger dimentions. Really its greatest
direct value lies in the bitches that
have been opened in rocky ground.
Acquiring the system has an indirect
value, tho, which must not be lost
sight Of. Removing the company by
purchase from the field OF competition
and giving the city the benefit of the
entire revenue from the water system
has problematical value which only
experience can determine. The real
value OF the company's water system to
the city OF Leavenworth is not very far
from IS, 900, which sum added to the
$40, 900 proposed to be expended in
perfecting the system will bring the
total cost OF the distribution system up
to $4,000. The difference between
S24, 900 and $40, 6o0-$16, 6O0-rep-
resents the sum which the city will
pay to get competitor out Of the way.
Whether it is worth this sum is de-
batable question which the voter will
be called on to settle on the goth inst.
We are prepared to believe that the
system cost all, or even more, to in
install. But the purchase Of distribu-
ton system wholly inadequate, which
will have to be replaced by practically
new system. comes before the taxpayers
purely as a business proposition stripped
OF sentiment. The question to be de-
cided by the voters is this: Will the
taxpayers Of Leavenworth say by their
votes that they favor paying $40, 900
to eliminate the Tumwater Light &