Deming graphic., 1920-04-06
A MILESTONE PASSED


Apparently the bond issue OF $780,
600 to buy and enlarge the water works
has carried. Now the bonds must be
sold TO the highest bidder; SCI, 800 Is to
so to the water company and the rest
will no doubt, be placed In the local
banks as time deposits TO await such
/ disposition as the circumstances may
require. Considerable time will prob
ably elapse before this money will be
used. There Is nothing connected with
the bond issue that makes the pur-
chase Of the present water works i'm
perative, but IL is certain that the
board of trustees have no other plan
in view.
A complete survey should be made OF
the property before the plant uf the
United Land and Water Company IL
transferred TO the city. This should
be no guess estimate" but an inven-
tory made with exactness and tho
roughly checked. This survey should
he published in the local press, giving
the citizens the information about the
property requisite to an understanding
Of its affairs. The plant belongs TO all
the citizens and they should be en-
couraged TO take interest i'm ii. In
this way proper cooperation can be
established at the outset that will
mean harmony In the years TO come
between the water works management
and the public Let's start right.
IL is presumed that Tom McCarty
will be continued in the capacity OF
manager Of the water plant. He has
been connected with Il so long and has
such an intimate understanding of its
equipment and business affairs that he
should be retained. IL possible. The
plant has given excellent service under
the present management and that
service should be safeguarded above
everything else.
The mechanical operation OF the
water plant is comparatively n simple
matter. The three wells are all good
and any one OF them pumping a few
housr each day can supply the city's
needs. The accounting is important,
but in no way complicated. The pres
ent management seems TO have sys-
tematized It's operations.
II more water can be given for the
rate now in effect, II should be done,
or, IL the same amount can be delivered
at n lower rate, 1t should be done.
But, as matter Of fact, the small
water user now has very good rate. |
Ii Is the larger water user that needs |
relief, and Ii is the larger water user
that should get IL, since he Is the one
that is beautifying the city by main !
tanning trees and grass. This would
encourage others TO use more than the
minimum allowance thereby extending
the pumping hours and lowering the
overhead cost and encouraging the |
planting of trees and grass. However,
IL can be safely left TO the board OF
trustees TO proceed slowly until the
cost OF porducing water is better un-
derstood.
With the matter OF finances settled, |
the possibility Of a parking system Is
apparent. Deming has good wide
streets and space for parking well
downtown Is still available. The
foundation Of a parking system should
be kept In mind. A real and present
need is a public playground for Dem
ing's numerous children. The public
parks now being maintained need more
water than they are getting. There |
should also be more water available
for sprinkling the streets.
The purchase of the water plant
marks a new era in the development
OF the city. In sense the city has
now gone into business for itself and
it will. certainly expand its activities
as the city grows and finances admit.
Many cities own their own lighting
systems, but that is a matter for the
future. With good management, and
no other kind will be long tolerated.
the water plant win prove one Of the
best investments the city has ever
made.