The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-08-25
Improvement Of New Add
tions to City May be I'm
paired by Decision OF
Company Head.
NO MARKET FOR BONDS
Commissioner Collins Writes
President of Company Urg-
ing That He Order
Extensions.

The decision, recently made known
to the city council, of President Holt
master of the Keokuk Water Works
compay, not to make the extension OF
water mains into the Mckinley ave
nue. district as agreed to early this
spring, was today objected to by
Commissioner J. A. NJ. Collins in a
letter addressed to Mr. Hoffmaster.
In announcing his decision Mr.. Hon-
master stated that it would be i'm.
possible to make the extension at this
time on account of the financial con-
ditions in the east, resulting from the
European war. He said that bonds
for the improvement, which would
cost about $4,000, could not be sold
in the east, although he suggested
that market for part OF the bonds
might be found in Keokuk.
Several Parties to Agreement.
Early this spring an agreement was
made between property owners In the
Mckinley avenue district, the city OF.
ficials, the water works company, and
the Keokuk Electric company, in
which each party agreed to make GER
tain improvements that would COM
plete the development of this district
Under the terms Of that contract the
water works company agreed to put
in the water mains as far as Belknap
place.
The property owners are complying
with the terms Of their contract by
the construction of number OF
houses, while the city already has
spent about $500 in improving the
streets by grading. At present the
city is engaged in grading Palean
street which they expect to complete
within a week or ten days.
Car Line Extension.
The Keokuk Electric company has
already placed rails, ties, ETC., on the
ground for the extension Of the car
line and at. present expects to start
active work on the extension as soon
as the city can complete the grading
of Palean street.
Whether Or not a suspension or
work by all parties to the agreement
will result if the water works fails to
live up to the terms OF its agreement
is a matter OF conjecture. Commits
sioner Collins stated today that he
was sure the extension Of the water
mains would be made and that the
work would be completed. Under GER
tain conditions the city can force the
water works company to maize the
extension If such action is deemed
advisable, 1t is understood.
Commissioner Collins Letter.
The following Is Commissioner Col
Inns letter to President Hoffmaster
of the water works company:
Mr.. G. f. Hofmaster,
President KeokusS Water Works
Company.
Dear Sir:
Your Mr.. Juengst has this day in
formed me Of your inability to com
ply with our request of late date TO
the laying of your water mains OF
Mckinley avenue to Belknap Place.
You cannot ina CINE what a grea
disappointment and hardship this will
be to those who have and are con
structing houses IN these two add
tions. nor can we easily estimate tn
financial loss to the city by such az
ton
This item, while 1t will be consid
cradle. Is not Of as much importanc
Just at present as the inextricabl
con usion in which 1t will involve on
tax accounts with the county AM
state.
Before adopting the commission