Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-04-08
A BRIEF HISTORY OF
SALEM'S WATER PLANT
Proposition to Purchase the
Plant by the City First
Made in 1909.
100000 OFFERED FOR 1T
In 1911 Another Attempt Made to Buy
But Committee Reports Adversely
= Mayor vetoes 1t. d
100000 OFFERED FOR 1T

Just what the various committees ap-
pointed by the city councils during the
past four years accomplished toward ar.
irving at some definite understanding
concerning the proposed purchase ofthe
Salem water plant, is a history Of no
small amount of Importance and inter
est to the people of Salem, now that an
other attempt is being made to deter
mine what shall be done about the agi-
tation for municipally.owned plant,
and the following history Of former pro-
ceedings will give the reader an idea Of
the manner in which the council and
the water company negotiated.
The question of a municipally.Owned
water plant was first introduced to the
Salem public through the city council
in the year 1909. At that time the Sa.
lem Water company was offered $780,
900 for the plant. The council was on
the verge of purchasing the plant out
right. Records on file at the city hall
show that at the time the municipality.
owned water plant agitation was at a
fever heat, but the members of the
council possessed not one iota Of data
tending to show what it was purchas-
ing.
A resolution was passed by the coun-
Gil calling for an itemized statement,
which was supplied by the company
and the matter of the purchase was
again taken up.
Mayor Lachmund Intervenes.
In the meantime the terms of the
members of the council who first con
sidered the water question, expired, and
a new council and mayor took up the
consideration of the matter,
During the year 1911, the council un
dertook to purchase the plant by offer
in the Salem Water company 100000
and an additional $4,000 as a bonui
for improvements, etc. which might
have been made since the old council
considered the purchase.
Louis Lachmund, who was then may
or, intervened. He vetoed bill for al
ordinance which authorized the counci
to proceed with the negotiations TO
the purchase of the plaut.
The special committee appointed
by Mayor Lachmund, composed o
Couneilmen Frank Durbin and Lafky
substituted a majority report in whic
it was shown that the water plant wa
not worth more than 100000, boo
value for the following reasons;
/. That the water consumers cannC
be made lawfully to bear any part Q
the burden Of the worth Of the frC
municipal service.
2. That the plant has suffered
value from physical depreciation;
8. That the standard Of service re-
dered is below the reasonable standai
required by the charterj
4. That the plant Is not now fit
meet reasonable requirements in II
present and future; is inefficient
whole and in part, and IL has not Ike
pace with or reasonably anticipate
municipal GROWTH
8. That the various structures a
unreasonably expensive and were n
built prudently.
Worth But Sl5O,OOO.
In the same report It is shown tn
tho engineers quoted the value Of I
distributing system and tho reserv,
belonging TO the Salem Water Co.,
$l5O,OOO The special committee sa
in regard TO this item; "why sho,
we now pay twice the cost Of th'
branches ofthe water plant in order
get something we don't need, or ca
use after we get III Will also say Il
engineering has been more than
sorbed by wear and requirements cha
ed and to be charged" "
The special committee report
unanimously adopted and shortly Of
the water company was offered 1915,
which offer was refused by the C.
pany.
Quotes Price in Deed.
The latest and most substantial pl
Of the actual value Of the Salem WI
company's plant is included in t
deed filed few months ago with
county recorder, wherein the water
pany mortgages It's entire holding
Salem.
In the articles recorded the ~
Water company, places valu'