Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-01-15
MASS MEETING
UNAN|MOUSFOR
POWER PROJECT
Citizens Gather at Call of
Mayor to Discuss Work
of Improvement
ALL IN FAVOR OF
100000 BOND ISSUE
Plans Laid for Interesting
Majority of Voters in
Supporting Scheme

| In response to the published call oi
Mayor Leeny, half hundred repre-.
sentative citizens gathered at the city
hall Tuesday evening to discuss the
proposed improvement of the water
works and the 100000 bond issue with
which the improvement Is to be made.
Great enthusiasm was evinced in the
project and the opinion was unanimous
that the time Is ripe for an expendi-
ture which will enable the city to de-
velop enough water power to both
pump it's own water supply and to light
the city streets as we'll The prime
object of the meeting was to develop
plans for interesting the voters and
taxpayers of the city in the PROPOSE
ton, for it Is recognized that without
their assistance, it will be impossible
to vote the bond issue necessary for
the improvement.
II. L. Waterman Presides.
Mayor Pat Leeny called the meeting
to order and explained in a very few
words, his object In asking the public
to meet and discuss the proposition.
He then called upon H. l.. Waterman,
chairman of the waterworks board OF
trustees, to preside over the delibera.
tions. MI Waterman stated in con-
else manner, what the improvement
plans call for. Briefly stated 1t is this:
the issue. of bonds. In the amountf OF,
100000 which with some $4,000 that
the waterworks will be able to add,
will be used for replacing the present
inefficient wooden dams with concrete
dams; the installation of additional
equipment at the power house en-
abling that plant to develop sufficient
power to do all of the citys pumping
without the use of coal, and in addition
light the streets Of the city and cancel
the contract with the light company
which now receives something like
$4,000 per year for it's service; and
lastly the reduction of taxes by reason
OF the savings effected by municipal
street lighting.
Means Reduced Taxes.
In replying to question regarding
the effect of the bond issue upon taxes.
Mr.. Waterman stated that the sum the.
city is now paying for light amounts
in substance to a tax levy of five and
a third mills and that with the issu-
ance of bonds the levy would be re-
duced after the first year to two mills
and after eleven years to zero. In
other words, he said, the immediate ef-
feet Of adopting the proposition will be
a reduction in taxes to the extent Of
three and third mills and an ulti-
mate reduction of five and third
mills.
Says Time ls Ripe.
When Senator Waterman had finish
ed his explanation Of the plan and had
responded to various questions, there
were calls for an expression Of opinion
from T. D. Foster. Mr.. Foster stated
that he is in hearty accord with the
project and that in his opinion the time
is ripe for making the Improvement.
He said in part: This move is in line
with national conservation Of re-
sources which is right now in the prop
aganda of every political party in the
land It means utilization of power
which is the cheapest available and
it means reduction in taxes. II we
fail to do our duty by the city, the OF
tur,wans of 20 years hence will look
hack and say What fools they were.
not to see the value Of the power at
their disposal Now Is the time. The
material is available and likewise the
labor. And incidently, we may well
think of the benefits that will accrue