The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-02
NEW PROPOS|T|ONOF WATERWORKS CO IS SUBMITTED BY LYNN Changes In Clause Regard ing Purchase of Plant
 By the City LONG CONFERENCE
 BY COMMISSIONERS Nothing Given Out--Is Not Believed That Proposal Will Be Accepted,
 But Will Form Basis of
 Negotiation

general strengthening of the wate, company's position marked tho detailed l proposition of the company 10 reduce | rates and sell it's plant to the city as made yesterday by President A. NJ. Lynn to the city commission.
 It is not believed that the proposition as submitted will be agreed to. It will. | however, form the basis of negotiations concerning which it appears there Is as much reason as ever to hope for final settlement of the waterworlss fight.
 A conference on the waterworks is- sue lasting nearly three hours was held between the city commissioners, City En- gineer Kendrick and City Attorney Boyd late yesterday afternoon. Commissioner Weatherly stated that there was nothing to be made public. President George Ward eiuded the reporters by passing out side door as the meeting ended.
 The detailed proposition of the water works company is substantially the same as the general statement of the offer made to the city commission and printed in The Age-Herald a couple of weeks ago in re- gard to rates. In regard to municipal own ership there are some changes. The time of purchase Is postponed year and three months instead of being In 1915; the board of appraisers to set the price at which the city would buy the plant is to be com posed of nonresidents of Jefferson coun- ty, the city Is barred from institnting con demnation proceedings prior to 1921. These are some of the clauses of the offer which the city, 1t is generally understood, will not agree to-
 The proposition in the main Is the same, however, offering water on meter basis to all Greater Birmingham at 20 cents Der 1000 gallons, n minimum charge of s2 25; the proposition must be accepted by Feb ruary 9; if accepted it will go into force suits against the water company must be adjudicated; that the water company will abide by the verdict of referendum election if one is held on the subject
 Another Conference Today
 The commissioners have not yet decided upon all provisions of the offer. It was for that purpose the conference was held yesterday afternoon Another conference will be held today and just as soon as the take position on each clause of the proposition then the water works company will be called into confer ence and the negotiations will be opened to see if the two can get together
 The proposal of the company in regard to municipal ownership in which are prac- tically the only changes Is in part as fol- lows:
 "rhe city shall have the right, if Is so desirous. at any time after one year from the date of the acceptance of this offer to purchase in its en- tirety. but not in part, the waterworks s. rights and property of the water, com pany at the value thereof to be fixed. If the parties cannot themselves agree, by a board of five appraisers. This section twelfth of this offer shall take the place of all sections of all con tracts between the water company and the city and between the water conn., Daf1y and the former separate munich palities now Incorporated in the city, which confer any rights upon the city to purchase all or any part of the rights and property of the water company.
 Tn consideration or this offer 1t Is understood and agreed that prior to January 1. 1921, the city shall not un- dertake to acquire all or any part or the waterworks. rights and property of the water company by condemna- lion proceedings or in any method oth- sr than by appraisal as provided tor in this section and nothing hereinafter shall be construed or con sidered in any manner as relieving the ,ity of this obligation on its part
 "Should, however. the city of Bir- ningham hereafter and prior to Janu- ary l., 1921. undertake to acquire all or any part of the waterworks, rights and property of the water company by proceedings the water company. upon the initiation of such shall have the right. by notice in writing to the city of Bir-