Denver labor bulletin. [volume] (Denver, Colo.) 1915-19??, 1918-07-27
MAYOR MILLS LETTER TO THE PEOPLE
GIVES FACTS AS TO WATER ELECTION

On Tuesday, August 6, there will
be submitted to the voters Of the city
and county of Denver, at a special
election, two questions Of unusual i'm
portance. The main question is as to
whether bonds in the sum of $751;
100000 shall be issued for the pur-
chase Of the water works system and
plant of the Denver Union Water
Company. This question will be
voted upon by the taxpayers only, as
the general electors voted a charter
amendment in May, 1917, to buy the
plant If the taxpaying electors au-
ton submitted is as to whether
charter amendment shall be adopted
providing plan for the management
Of the plant in the event that the
bonds are voted. This may be voted
upon by all the general electors.
The questions to be voted upon are
in no sense partisan measures, but it
is desired to fully acquaint the vot-
ers with the nature Of the issues and
as to their Importance. The water
question has been a troublesome and
much-debated question. On two or
more occasions the general and tax
paying voters have expressed them
selves in favor of Denver owning its
own water plant.
Valuation Fixed at $13,415, 899.
In 1916 an option was obtained from
the Denver Union Water Company
for the purchase Of its plant Prior
to this time the rate case had been
tried before special master ap-
pointed by the United States district
court, and in this case it was neces-
sary to fix the value of the company's
plant. The result of the litigation
was that the valuation was fixed by
the court at $13,415, s9s, which was
lower than the previous valuations.
After this option agreement was OBJ
tanned, the case was appealed to the
supreme court of the United States
to settle certain disputed questions,
and on last March the decision of the
court below, including the valuation
placed upon the properly, was affirmed.
In anticipation of this decision, the
charter amendment was adopted in
1917 for the purpose of making it
possible to submit the question of the
issuance of the bonds to the taxpaying
electors when the decision was rem
dered.
Under the terms of this option, Dem
yer must avail itself of the opportu-
nifty to purchase the plant, if at all,
WITHIN twelve months after March
4, 1918. Therefore, the council, pur-
suant to the provisions of the option
and the charter amendment adopted
in May, 1917, have submitted the
questions to be voted on at this spe-
cial election. The price in the option
is as follows: The valuation deter
mined by the master and approved by
the court, namely, S13,415,S9 to-
gether with the additions and extern
sions added to the plant since May /,
1914, up to the time when the option
is exercised, from which is to be de-
Quoted the amount Of the deprecia-
ton accruing during said period,
making the amount to be authorized
s13, 970, 900.
Provides Plan of Management.
The charter amendment to be voted
upon provides a plan for the manage
ment Of the plant and names a corr
mission Of five members to have ex-
elusive control Of the maintenance and
operation of the plant, and authorizes
them to place a manager in the ac-
tive management Of the plant when
acquired. The commission is given
wide powers by the charter amend
ment, but is limited as to the indebt-