Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1920-03-09
A CITY WATER WORKS.

The Graphic has hesitated to ex-
press an editorial opinion for or
against the proposal to buy the water
plant and conduct it by the municipal
ity, and probably for the same reason
that the board OF trustees hesitated to
place the proposal on the ballot-lack
Of information. An estimate by the
city engineer as TO the physical value
of the water plant has thrown some
light on the question. However, the
estimate is not exact, mas made hur-
riedly, and still leaves the value Of the
plant open TO question. Beyond doubt,
the city engineer has made n con-
sentative estimate - too conservative,
G. NJ. Cotton of the water company
maintains. Mr.. Cotton is very positive
in his assertion that the present equip
ment, with reasonable repairs, will be
made TO outlast the franchise He
estimates the present value OF the plant
at 100000 The city engineer placed
no value on the water mains now In
use. More information on this subject
should be furnished thew oters. Ger
talnly no one would buy such n plant
as private investment without know
ing more OF its actual value.
Another hazy matter is that OF the
net earnings of thew Gter company.
Why should not this information be
given 10 the voters? No one would be
so foolish in conducting private bust
ness as to buy plant without know
ing what its earnings are. What does
it cost to operate the water plant and
what effect will this have on future
water rates? Voters want to know
whether or not the water plant is
going concern.
Assuming satisfactory answers to
these two questions, there Is no doubt
but that the earliest opportunity
should be grasped by the city to own
its own water works. Practically all
municipalities own their own plants
and thereby control water service and
water rates Ii would allow for n
water rate based on cost and more
liberal supply of water for public pur-
poses.
1t is objected that the city cannot
hope to run the plant soc heaply as n
private concern This Is probably
true. But can savings be made by
better equipment or different power
These are questions that ought TO be
answered now Another objection Is
the preesnt financial disability CT the
city. However, the water company
maintains that the taxpayers now pay
them more money in water rents than
would be required 10 carry The interest
on the bonds Thee ity's ability TO
carry the bonds was presumably an
swered in the affirmative when the
board passed it's resolution. II is OBJ
jected that the water plant win get into
politics and become the plum" sought
by cheap job hunters. There is some
danger OF this, Of course, since one
party has all the best of II and prob
ably would dictate the policy OF the
plant Now Is the time 10 see that the
plant doesn't become an adjunct OF the
local democratic organization.
II might be OF interest to know that
Columbus will vote on a bond issue of
100000 for a water and sewer sys-
tenn and that Lordsburg also will vote
on bond issue OF $4,000 for a sewer
system.
The Graphic will be glad to hear
from the voters on the questions in
volved. Write your opinion, sign 1t
and mail it to the Graphic; we'll print
itw ithout then anne, but require the
signature for evidence Of good faith.
Let's have the ideas pro and con-