Williams news., 1916-11-16
.PROMOTORS HERE,
 FRANCHISE SOUGHT

of the Coconino Water De- velopment and Stock Company are in Williams this week seeking a franchise from the Town which shall give the right to supply this community with water. The inter- est of the News in Williams IS paramount. The News wishes Williams to have every good thing which a Town may enjoy. The greatest of these things is good water. The News realizes that the water which Williams people are Compelled to use is not as good as they should have, but in trying to improve the water situation great care should be used that we do not jump from the frying pan into the fire.
 The Coconino Development and Stock Company propose to supply Williams with water gathered in the San Francisco Mountains which shall be equal to the water which Flagstaff enjoys. That sounds good. But before entering into any sort of arrangement with this new company, the News believes that the situation of the Town with respect to it's relations with the Williams Water and Electric Com pany should be fully considered and the proposition of the new company should be thoroly investi- gated.
 Williams Would Hold the Sack
 Unless the Williams Water and Electric Company is bought off, it will fight the new company to the bitter end. To grant another water franchise in opposition to the pres ent opers ting company would be to invite struggle between rival water companies. It might mean competing wates systems with Will Hams on the rack while the fight lasted, and Williams holding the sack in the end. -.
 The News believes that should the Town Council decide to entertain the proposition of the Coconino Development and Stock Company, the company should be compelled to demostrate the soundness of its general proposition to develop a water supply and furnish high grade water to communities and especially to Williams. The source of water supply should be thoroly investigated. It should be learned definitely what kind of impounding reservoirs are to be used. If they are to be wholly of earth and small they will be mud holes like the one from which the Williams Water and Electric draws it's water. If they are to be large enough not to be seriously affected by wave action or incoming muddy waters, then are they to be free from org mic matter, living or dead. This is an important ques- Iion and unless satisfactorily answered, it would be foolish to go further with the investigation.
 No ''Wild Cat" Scheme For Us
 Here is a proposition involving the investment of very large amount of capital. If there is doubt of its proving good busi- ness proposition for the investors, Williams should let it alone. The Town can not afford to tie up to any "wild cat'' scheme. The Town Council should then, in the opinion of the News, ask for plan: in considera ole detail. The Counci should know where the pipe line i, to run, how large it is to be; wha the estimated cost is and wha sources of revenue will be relied or to compensate investors.
 While the News believes in the proposition that in this advancin. era of the public wnership anc operation of public utilities 1t is not wise to commit municipality to long tim,
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