The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-01-10
Commissioners to Ask Clark
Corporation to Set Price
on Property.
REVENUE REDUCTION
REASON FOR ACTION
Effect of Prohibition and
Redlight Shutdown on
Treasury Feared.

An attempt to purchase the water
system Of the Missoula Light s Water
company was begun by the city COM
missioners yesterday morning at their
regular weekly meeting. City Attor-
prepare an ordinance informing the
utility company that the city wishes
to purchase the water plant and ask
ing for a written statement of terms.
If possible. said Mayor Wilkinson
yesterday. negotiations preliminary to
q bond issue election will be conducted
in friendly manner. In any event,
however, the commissioners expect to
carry the proposition to the polls.
They hope to be able to submit it at
the city election in April.
For Financial Relief.
The commissioners Mayor IT. r.
Wilkinson and Councilmen Tom Kemp
and j. NJ. Brechbill-want the city to
take over the water system as a means
of relieving the city treasury. They
declare that municipal ownership of
the plant will avoid a yearly expense
of $4,000 for water and enable the city
to secure additional revenue. The
prohibition law, which goes into effect
in two years, and the closing of the
restricted district. which is to take
place February 1, will diminish the
city's income by about $4,000 a year.
1t Is estimated by Mayor Wilkinson.
Some. il not ALL Of this loss can be
neutralized. the mayor believes. by
profits returned by the water system.
The action OF the city council was
not altogether surprise. 1ntimations
of 1t caused the Missoula Municipal
Ownership league to hold up petitions
1t had already prepared for circulation
as the commencement Of campaign
for municipal purchase of the plant
Third Attempt.
The councils effort to purchase the
water plant is the third made in Mis-
soula. 1t differs from previous attempts
however, in that the present commits
sioners were not elected on municipal
ownership platforms. In 1906 Mayor
M. r. c. Smith and a majority of the
council. all pledged to attempt the pur-
chase of the plant of the Missoula
Water company, then controlled by the
Missoula Mercantile company, pro-
posed a bond issue but lost at the
polls. In 1915 Mayor Andrew Getchell
and Councilman Dale Hodson, Social
lists and pledged proponents of mu-
nicipal ownership, carried a bond issue
to the people and were rejected.
Same Lines as Before.
Mayor Wilkinson and his commits
sioners will proceed along practically
the same road taken by their prede-
cessors. Next week the ordinance or
dered yesterday will be presented by
the city attorney. If general public
sentiment seems to favor a continual
tion OF the campaign the council will
then pass the ordinance. A month
later the answer of the water company
will be due.
The corporation may refuse to state
terms. It did. indeed. give no answer
to the request for proposals made by
the Getchell- Hodson administration.
IT no offer Is made by the company
the council may institute condemnation
proceedings or make direct proposal
to the utility comapny. If the COM
pany states terms the council will be
In position to discuss the matter with
the Clark people. In any event, how
ever, plebescite will be necessary.
Proposal Expected.
Mayor Wilkinson said last evening
that the companys attitude would
determine the nature of the councils
procedure following the passage of the
preliminary ordinance.
II am inclined to believe that the
company will state terms" he said
''The city will have the property ap-
praised, at any rate, by experts. We
will then try to reach an agreement
with the company. so that a proposal
to issue bonds for the purchase of the
plant will have a definite basis"
Company Retieent.
Officials of the company would not
say what response would be made te
the city's request for terms. Chris
Christensen. manager of the Mis-
soula Light & Water company, ant
w. L. Murphy, an attorney for the
corporation. said they would await thu
ordinance before making anv state