The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1920-11-15
CITIZENS OF
CITY URGED TO
ATTEND MEETING
Petitions Urging Arbitration
Expected to Be Presented
to Commission
OPINIONS DIVID D
One Group Feels That Continu-
ed Litigation Will Bring
About Plant Purchase

Water consumers interested in the
future policy to be followed in regard
to securing for Bismarck lower rates.
efficient service and a city owned
water plant are being urged to at
tend the meeting Of the City Commits
sion tonight when petitions will be
presented from taxpayers urging arbi-
tratjon of all points at controversy
and the immediate purchase OF the
water plant by that means.
TO Name ArbitratOrs
The arbitration agreement Of the
present franchise calls for the naming
of three arbitrators One by city, one
by water company and the two thus
named to select a third. In case the
two cannot agree upon third then
the judge Of the United States dis
trict court to designate the third.
Petitions Circulated
During the last few days petitions
have been circulated with a view to
invoking the arbitration feature Of the
water franchise. Those citizens be-
ulIu lllC llloFC " oSSCPI LHS oiiSi VI
arbitration believe that litigation is
an expensive and uncertain route to-
ward city ownership of the plant
that it may take years for the city
to secure possession OF the plant If
condemnation proceedings are resorted
to. 1t is pointed out that practically
a year has been consumed now with
out definite steps toward relief of
Bismarck's water problem, one of the
most vital issues that confrOnts the
city,
Refuse Offer
On the other hand those who favor
litigation have refused the offer of
arbitration C. L. Young. and II. r.
O'Hare, attorneys for the city, in a
letter have advised the commission to
continue the litigation. They take
the attitude that the Bismarck Water
Supply company has not acted in good
faith and that its offer of arbitration
comes too late and that the people OF
Bismarck should proceed through the
courts rather than through arbitra-
tion ....
It is hoped on all sides that the
meeting this evening will show just
what the taxpayers desire. The neces-
sity of ending the prolonged and ex-
pensive controversy is evident to all.
Water consumers are interested prlm-
arily in results and are willing to set
aside all past differences If the result
will be municipality owned plant.
It is hoped by many taxpayers that
this evenings meeting will draw a
sufficient number of citizens, both
men and women, so that definite ex-
nression can be had that will guide
the citv commission in it's future pol
lev toward the water problem.
Sentiment Unanimous
Sentiment is unanimous for NUM-
cipal owned plant and needed I'M
proyements are being held IN apey.
ance awaiting a final termination OF
the present controversy which has
been agitated more or less for years
The city needs bigger mains TO IN
crease water pressure. Extensions
are necessary to take care OF Dis
marck's growth and many taxpayers
have EXPRESSED themselves during the
last few weeks that they are for any
plan that will bring these results I'M
mediately but of course no fair mlnd-
ed citizen expects to pay one cent
more no. ops cent less than 'ne p'a"'
is worth. " - W e -.
For the most, part there is a gen
eral disposition to treat the water
plant issue upon strictly business
basis. ..o,,
lust how keenly Bismarck feels
should be demonstrated by the repre-
sentation attending the commission
meeting this evening. 1t has even
been suggested that if the issue can
NOT be threshed out this evening thal
sometime be set to find out the con-
census of opinion Of the people OF
Bismarck who in the final analysis are
the ones who must put up the money 70 !
nurchase the water plant and they are
interested only in results and the most
Economical manner in which to OBTAIN |
feeling of complete confidence, it
is urged. must be established between
al, narties to the controversy pelote
anv real progress can be made me
neonle of Bismarck have 1t WITHIN
their power to put the water con'ro-
versv on that level it is said by those
who favor arbitration Personalltles
and reprisals, it is pointed OUT can
get the water consumer nowhere
and may pile up the costs.