The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1915-05-07

With a. -. McMiilcn. president %
the water company. holding the CEN
ter Of the stage. the first OF the
weekly meetings arranged by the city
council Tor hearings ON the water
question was held last night at the
city hall Il was a lively meeting in
hat water users eyinced "A lively In
tercst In Il and shot a brisk fire OF
question and commcnt AT Mr-McMi-
len. The heod OF the water company
was on hand not only 10 state the po-
sition OF the company on tho water
question but 20 answer questions.
Councilman Grunsfcid put u ques-
ton during a discussion on M earn
ings OF the company that elected an
emphatic reply. Tie wanted to know
e Representatives OF the city could
see the company's books.
Books Not Open.
The books are open TO nobody"
said Mr.. McMillen. He added that
they wouldn't shed any light on the
value Of the plant or the investment
Il represented.
Councilman Hammond pressed
queries as 10 the value Of the fran
chise. Mr.. McMlllen would not ad-
NIT that a franchise. as such, had
n value. but that It's worth to the
company was TO be measured by its
terms. Previous TO tho discussion
with Mr.. Hammond. MIR. McMillen
stated that he considered the conn
pany was paying for the franchise
privilege by making concessions ia
rates 10 the consumers. Councilman
Hammond made no extended com
mont Rhd gave no reasons. but his
line ~ questions Indicated plainly
that he thinks the city should be paid
for the franchise In some manner.
Wants city ON Board.
Louis McRae was the chief spokes-
a among the water users. lie had
Clerk Hughes read n prepared COM
municntion preliminary 10 the gem
oral discussion. During the discuss
sion ne advocated city representation
on the water company's board under
any franchise that might be granted,
or n water hoard empowered to
change rates during the life N the
franchise, Mr.. AicMiilcn objected TO
city representation on the board but
emphatically declared himself in ia
vor OF a state board with power to
fX rates.
clyde Tinglcy and Postmaster H..
Charles Roehi too part IN the dis
cusslon, and 80 did city Attorney
Thomas \. Wilkerson, speaking MS "A
citizen and not aa n city official.
Mr., Tingloy waH OF the opinion
that the city should receive service
entirely free ~ Il granted a fran
chisc.
Calls for Data.
Mr.. McRae's statement follows:
'"ro the Mnyor n City Council.
Gentlemen Ayailing myself OF
your general invitation 10 the public
TO express their Views on the pro-
posed new water franchise. I desire
"a suggest, IN order that we may
speak Intelligent and justly on the
proposition, that you make public all
Information which you have as To the
cost or estimated cost of furnishing
water. including an charges which
are Justly entitled TO be charged
against the cost. n you have not
such Information at hand. I suggest
that YOU Instruct the city engineer 10
gather such data and other Informs
tion useful IN considering the mat
ter.
Without the above information we
are very liable TO consider the fran
chise In an unfair manner either to
ourselves or 10 the water company.
and ] believe oil the citizens are anX-
ious 90 settle the question on a strict
ly fair basis and for the best inter-
estH ~ the city.
Counscls TalFncss.
II do not believe that because the