The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1917-02-16
GENERAL WHEELER'S
PROPOSAL TO COUNCIL
Was One Requiring Nerve
Impossible Also of
Acceptance.

Some time ago a special commit
tee composed of citizens and Alder
men McNally, Austin and Pursley,
and of which committee DR.. Geo. E.
Welch was chairman, set out to make
sentiment in the city among tax-pay-
ers, favorable to the purchase of the
old Palatka Water Works. The
committee sent some of the water to
an analetycal chemist of known stand
ing and that gentleman reported that
it was deserving of the highest con-
sderation for beverage purposes. Its
integral parts were all of charac-
ter calculated to quench thirst and at
the same time contained nothing but
what would assimilate perfectly with
the human system. In other words,
it was found perfectly healthful.
Of course this report was directly
contrary to that of the State Board
of Health, which had pronunced it
unfit for beverage purposes.
The committee wanted to buy the
old works; it believed conscientiously
that the city of Palatka ought to own
the works instead of a Boston corpo-
ration. The committee entered into
a correspondence with the Boston own
ers, and after some letters had pass
ed it was certainly the impression of
committee that it could buy the physi-
cal plant and real estate of the old
company for 100000, plus the value
of supplies on hand at the time of
sale; that the disputed question of
hydrant rentals aggregating $4,000
be left to the determination of the
suits brought for the enforcement of
this claim.
With this understanding the COM
mittee, it is understood, hired experts
and made this investigation as to the
quantity and wholesomeness of the
water and went to some considerable
expense to the city.
The arrangements for completing
the details for the purchase were to
be made upon the arrival of Gen.
Wheeler in the city.
Gen. Wheeler came a little over
week ago, but instead of carrying
out the ideas or plans tentatively
agreed upon, or as understood by the
committee, broke off the negotiations
for sale of the property on basis
of 100000, with settlement by the
courts of the hydrant rental claims
and made a very different PROPOSE
ton. In other words, killed all chance
of selling the property to the city, at
least for the time being.
Gen. Wheeler's latest proposition
was reduced to writing. The News
said above it was nervy. 1t is more
than that, considering the fact that
he wanted the city to confess judg
ment to his company's claims at
time when the suits are pending.
Here is Gen. Wheeler's proposition
made to the council on Tuesday
night:
Palatka Water Works
John D. Points, Supt.
Fry Block, Cor. Lemon
and Front streets.
Palatka, Feb. 6, 1917.
DR.. Geo. E. Welch,
Chairman Special Committee
on Water Works,
Palatka, Fla.
Dear Sir:
In compliance with your request
that we submit in writing the propo-
sition verbally made to your commit
tee this afternoon, we beg to confirm
same as follows:
We propose to turn over the plant
and all physical property of this
company in Palatka and Palatka
Hights for the sum of Eighty Thous-
and ($S0,000) Dollars, said consider
alton to include full and final settle
ment of all matters in controversy be-
tween the city and this company.
This proposition, as stated to you,
is based upon its acceptance by the
city PRIOR TO FURTHER PRO-
GRESS OF THE LITIGATION NOW
PENDING and contemplates THE
WITHDRAWAL OF DEFENSES
AND THE ENTRY OF JUDGMENTS
AT THE PRESENT TERM OF
COURT IN THE TWO CASES
PENDING TO THE AGGREGATE
| AMOUN1 UT w Elm 1lIooo-
AND DOLLARS, the proceeds of said
judgments when paid to be credited
upon the purchase price above named.
We assume, in view of the discus
sion relative thereto, that it is un-
necessary to repeat herein the con-
siderations which have led up to this
proposition as affecting our respec-
tive interests. If any further infor-
nation is desired we will most gladly
: furnish it.
Very Respectfully,
EBERT WHEELER, Treasurer.
In the first place the city could not
pay 100000 for the plant without
first getting legislative authority. 1t
row has authority to pay $4,000 and
no more for it. Added permission
might be obtained.
1t was the unanimous opinion of
those present at the council meeting
and who heard the proposition, that
the taxpayers would never ratify a
proposition involving $4,000 as the
purchase price of this plant.
The Council very properly declined
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