The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-01-10

company values it's water plant at ap-
proximateiy 100000. On the books of
County Assessor Currie the water de-
partment Of the AIissoula Light &
Water company is valued at $245,165.
This figure, however. includes real
estate which is not properly a part
of the water system. Deduction of
this property would leave the valua-
ton at about $241,OOO. The ASSESS
ments are supposed to represent one
third of the actual value. Figuring on
this basis the property is worth about
$723,OOO.
League ForestaiIed.
The action of the city council fore
stalls a campaign planned by the
Missoula Municipal Ownership league,
which was organized a year ago fol-
lowing the defeat of che water plant
purchase proposal by the Socialist ad-
ministration. The league had pre-
pared petitions and an ordinance for
circulation through the city Inti-
nations that the council would start
campaign led the league to delay its
action.
Jeannette Rankin.
Charles N. Madden, president of the
league. could not be interviewed.
Miss Jeanette Rankin, congress
woman elect, rs vice president. She
was away from home last evening and
could not discuss the question of city
ownership Of the water system. Speak
ing over the telephone to representa-
tive of The Missoulian she declared
herself to be thoroughly in favor of
municipal ownership and referred to a
letter printed in The Missoulian of
August 2. 1915, in which she had said:
THAT municipal ownership of wa
ter is a success is Proved by the map.
Cities all over the country are ac-
quiring their own water supplies and
systems and we hear of no move in
any of these cities to go back to pri-
vate ownership. Why? Because mu-
nicipally owned water is a revenue
producer for the city. other public
utilities could be revenue producers;
but at the present time our enabling
act does not permit us to own all of
the public utilities. 1t is possible for
the city to own the water"
Wallace Expect. Victory.
James L. Wallace, prominent men,
Der Of the league and leader in the
Getchell-Hodson campaign, said that
he felt sure the proposal would carry,
If placed before the people. 80 many
| conflicting motives entered into the
1915 campaign he said. that the
election was not a fair test. The vote
was vote against the Socialist off,
cials rather than against municipal
ownership"
| A. w. Woods president of the Mis-
souia Chamber of Commerce, declined
to discuss the councils action yester-
| day.
Mass Meeting, Perhaps.
| " Iu(lCdteO yGSter-
day that an attempt will be made to
feel out public opinion before matters
are carried much farther. A mass
| meeting probably will be called for
| discussion of the councils purposes.
Something must be done to relieve
the financial situation" said the may
or. Il think the purchase of the wa
ter plant would be a profitable move"
When the prohibition law goes into
effect. Mayor Wilkinson estimates, the
city's income (for general uses) will
be reduced to about $4,000. This does
not include park. library. cemetery and
sinking funds, but the general fund
only. Saloons now contribute in Ii
cense fees about $4,000 to this fund.
Fines in the restricted district amount
to nearly $4,000 a year.