The Ronan pioneer., 1917-06-15
WHAT ROMAN PEOPLE SAY
Of WATER AND LIGHTS

The special election called by the
city council for July 10th, has stim-
ulated discussion of the subject to
such an extent that the Pioneer
takes occasion to print views express
sed by many of Romans represent
ative business men and toWnspeople.
Hon. John P. Swee, president of
the Roman City Council-"It is quite
manifest that personally l am in fa-
vor of municipality owned water
plant. | believe this to be the one
utility which the people should own
and operate themselves. 1t is equal
ly important that the town have a
system of electricity for light and
power purposes and have it at once.
While it might be desirable for the
city likewise to own and operate this
plant, | think it is evident to every
one that the city of Roman in it's
present financial condition is not
prepared to own and operate it's own
clCCll ~ llSiIiliS Pltllit. alii' IlSiS-
fore, of the opinion that it would be
advisable to grant short term, re-
vocable franchise to some private
concern under appropriate" restric-
tions."
Stanley Scearce-"I think the least
appreciative people of the resources
of this valley are those who live the
closest to them. 1t is reflection on
our intelligence to have permitted
this town to attain the age of seven
years and have done so little to dis
play our confidence in it's resources.
Far be it from me at this time to
cast any obstacles in the way of a
water system of any kind or sys-
tenn to provide electricity for lights
and power. We are sure to have a
town of three or four thousand peo-
pie in three, or four years, provided
we have any progress at all. 1 am
therefore, for a water system ade-
quate for present needs, and which
in engineering scope will permit nee
essary extension for a fast growing
community"
A. M. Sterling, president of A. M
Sterling Co.-"No person, it appears
to me, questions the desirability of
providing a water system and cleo
trio lights for Roman. The side of
the question which requires reflec-
tion is the question of finances. "A
proposal has been made by private
enterprise to install an adequate
water system, maintain and operate
it, under a short term, revOcable
franchise. | am in favor of granting
such franchise for the installation
of a water system as it is proposed
to do in the matter of furnishing
electricity for lights and power
Later on the municipality could, if
desirable, take over the plant ano
assume its operation. TO exhaust
our available resources in installing
a water system will protract the es-
tablishment of other necessary i'm
provcments which could be inaugur-
ated and which are necessary and de
srable at this time. A franchise
would leave resources available FOL
other improvements, also furnish
an adequate water supply available
to all sections of the town, and it is
not clear that municipality owned
water plant would do so without adj
ditional attending cost"
John N. Bailey, president of the
Roman Commercial Club.-"The pres
ent mayor and city council is to be
congratulated for their earnest ef-
forts in behalf of the welfare of this
city, and especially for their worR
with reference to the water works
electric lights and the proposed
street grading and curbing. The in
terest displayed by this council can
not but be encouraging to all our
citizens and they, too, will join in
the good work and lend every assist
ance to the council. While there
has been some difference of opinion
as to the advisability of construct
ing a water system at this time,
am convinced that all opposition tc
the project has now disappeared and
that on the day Of election the citi-
zens will be almost unanimous in
favor of the proposed improvements
1t has been said that the curbing
grading and gravelling of the streets
will cost but dollar a front foot
and 1 am sure that values will be
greatly increased above that amount