Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1916-01-24
HEARING TODAY FOR
ELKO WATER CO.

J. T. Shaughnessey and w. X Freu.
denberger of the public service com.
mission, accompanied by Frank
Healy, stenographer, are here today !
conducting hearing on the Elko
Water Company.
Some time ago complaint was made |
against the water company by num-
Der of citizens through the Elko Town |
Board. and notice was recently given |
that public hearing would be held |
today I
At ten o'clock this morning in the |
court room Commissioner Shaughnes
sy called the meeting to order and |
stated its purpose. The complaint |
was then read, and Attorney Badt. |
who is representing the complainants, |
stated that he expected to prove that |
the rates of the Elko Water Company !
were unjust, unreasonable, and there |
fore unlawful: that the service was |
inadequate; that the maximum |
amount of water allowed under the |
minimum rate had been reduced frc:T: !
10000 gallons to 5000 gallons monthly, |
| which latter amount was too small for
the minimum rate of $3.50; that The |
| company unjustly Disseminated, /!
charging those who used no more than |
1nnn thnup ,.h,
used 5000 gallons; that an insufficient /
| fire pressure was maintained and that !
fire protection was practically nil: !
| that the company was in a position TO
| furnish better and lower service. |
| The company is being represented by
Attorneys c. B. Henderson and e. r..
Caine. Mr. Henderson read the an
| swcr 10 the complaint i'll which each
and every allegation was denied He
stated that the company is not now,
and has not since its organization, re-
ceived more than just and reason
able return from the investment; that
profits for 1915 amounted to less than
eight per cent, as would be proven by
|
which he had before him. He stated
that the records of the Town Board
as far as he was able to learn, did not
show that resolution had been
passed praying for an investigation
by the Commission, but that he did
not desire to block such investigation
in any way, as he believed 1t would
result in better understanding and
more harmonious feeling If hear
ing should be had
]. C.. Burrage, a civil engineer OF
San Francisco, was then called to the
witness stand, and he stated that he
had personally conducted an examine
tion of all the property OF the Elko
Water Company with view to fixing
its physical valuation. He had eX
amined the dam at Osino in the Hum
boldt and the ditch leading thence TO
the reservoirs north of town. He had
examined the sixteen tunnels in Kit
ridge and Sheep canyons, which varied
from so to $40 feet, also the springs.
He had also examined the wells near
the river, the various pipe lines, the
hydrants. the reservoirs, etc, and he
had placed value on same at 1885,
270. The deprecated value he placed
at $349,311 This included water
rights valued at $4,000. and the
ranch upon which the reservoirs are
located, valued at S20,08O. II also in-
cluded 800 acres in Kitrldge and
Sheep Canyons. where the water was
developed by means of tunnels, and
through springs.
Mr.. Burrage identified report
which he had made to Mr. Smith,
president Of the water company, about
From this report 1t was learned that
there were 535 connections in Elko,
about 500 for houses and domestic
purposes Estimating four TO each
house. the maximum amount OF water
allowed would be 81 gallons per day
for each person, which according to
the Engineering News Is far In OK.
cess OF the average amount generally
allowed. Statistics on all the towns
OF Massachusetts, showed less
amount of water used per capita than
ia allowed here.
According to the records OF the Elko
Water Company, during the months of
April, May, June and July Of last year,
of the 223> users or water who have
no lawns, only an average of four
exceeded the amount allowed.
Mr. Burrage was still on the stand
when the noon recess was taken
During the recess the Commission
and counsel rode out to the reservoirs.
The hearing was resumed at two
) o'clock.