The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-09-18
CITY BOND ISSUE
DISCUSSION OF THE PROPOSE.
TTON AT COMMISSIONERS
MEETING.

City Commissioner Schmidt, at
their meeting Monday evening,
speaking on the issuance of bonds,
stated that two weeks ago the com
mission would have called for $685.
600, but it is now determined that
$4,000 will hardly suffice.
At this point Commissioner Hen
kin asked, What do you gentlemen
think of floating bonds for additional
extensions to the wtareworks along
with those suggested for rebuilding
the electric light plant? We can
levy on a basis Of 5 mills and thus
secure $4,000 or $4,000 for this
purpose or a valuation of $4,000
000." Attorney Urdahl suggested
that the 1917 session laws authorized
the city commission in cities of the
first class to levy a special tax, not
exceeding 4 cents per lineal foot, on
all parcels of land abutting on a
street supplied with either trunk
mains or laterals and also for the
purpose of extending such water sup
ply pipes. The contention of Mr..
Henkin was that there are now in
this city taxpayers who have not had
water privileges for years, yet have
been paying heavy taxes to supply
others with water. He thought this
unfair and stood ready to bond the
city for sections where the above con-
dition obtained. Those present ia
vored these extensions and expressed
issued to cover the expense.
George Porter arose to propose
that the bonds be voted on separate
ly-those for the electric plant at
one time and those for water extern
sion at another. 1t was pointed out
in a prior meeting that it would be
best to dispose of all bonds at one
time so as not to hurt the sale of
any of them.
Finally after more prolonged dis
cussion Mr.. Waskey proposed that
bonds in the sum of $125,0 600 be is
sued to I've the proposed re-
building of the burned electric light
plant building and e%quipping it and
to cover the cost of the proposed wa
ter extensions. Mr.. Waskey also
thought it best to call upon City En-
gineer Trimmer to figure out esti-
mates in conjunction with the city
commission such report of estimates
to be ready by the time of the next
meeting. All seemed pleased with
this proposition which apparently had
the effect of clearing the atmosphere
of some seeming friction between
the business men and the commits
sion.
Mayor Robertson stated some clear
and specific reasons why this vas
not the time to build. He cited the
high cost of labor and materials and
the hopelessness of trying to obtain
needed construction steel and ma
chinery equipment when every piece
of metal was practically subject to
delivery delays under priority orders
of the government. He spoke Of the
handicap the city was under just now
anu tTltu " pICSo hOHhc Tic lutt thdt
the commission had gone over the
whole situation time and time again;
how they had tried to pin firms down
to guaranteeing reasonably immedi-
ate delivery of material or equipment
ordered only without success. What
he is most anxious to do is to insure
the city's supply Of light, power and
water right now and through the
coming winter until such time as the
city sees fit to erect a modern build.
ing commensurate with this city's
prospective growth building thai
will be a credit to the city in future
years. He spoke of the utter futility
of trying to build suddenly without
stopping to consider all factors of de-
lay that would be involved. The
> mayor at all times stands ready to
accede to the wishes of the citizens
> on the question Of bond issues, but
wants sufficient money to complete
: any construction or extension work
. that might be decided upon.
. The meeting Of Monday nigh,
closed with the feeling that a bond
issue is imperative and must soon be
made IL Madison wishes to escape
from the situation she now intoler-
, ably experiences.