Weekly journal-miner., 1921-07-13
FINDS
 IN RESERVOIR
Prescott Evidently Not Only
 Town Where There Are Wa ter Troubles, Tho Others May Have Less to Be Thankful For

Have Less to Be Thankful For
 PHOENIX, July 8. - It was choice albeit sordid collection of dead Hazards, scorpions, tarantulas and rabbit which met the eyes of Loren Vaughn, corporation commissioner, when he conducted a hearing the other day relative to service com .plaints against the Thatcher Water Co., of Thatcher The collection of deceased things that crawl was in troduced in evidence as having been taken from the tank used as the source of supply by the water com pany::
 In addition to testimony tending to show the deplorable condition of the reservoir, it was also testified that cattle had visited the tank and used it for drinking and wading pur- poses. The bottom of the tank, it was claimed, was covered with a foot and a half to two feet of mud and slime, indicating that it had not been cleaned out in months, and strong testimony to this charge was borne by the odor of the water which the patrons are compelled to use for drinking and other domestic pur- poses.
 The management of the company admitted that the conditions might be improved but stated that this was Impossible unless the commission would grant him a raise in rates.
 A complaint of another nature was raised by some 40 residents of Cen tral, neighboring town, supplied by the same company, is attempting to deliver water to Central patrons thru pipe line one-half to three-quarters of an inch in diameter, but with ap- parently poor success. One patron testified that one night he left the faucet open all night but was unable to fill single bucket.
 The complaints of the water users and the application of the company to increase rates were taken under advisement, with the prospect of an early decision which' will dispose of the matter of service first and the increase of rates second.
 From Thatcher Commissioner Vaughn went to Metcalf to conduct another water hearing. The Arizona Copper Go. has applied for permis- sion to cut off both water and cleo tric light service from the town of Metcalf, claiming that it is supplying these commodities at loss.
 It was brought out in the hearing that the company buys its water from the Detroit company of Morenci, paying 22 cents per gallon and charg- ing a flat rate of g per month. The commissioner brought out the point that the company might effect an economy by cutting down the num- Der of public hydrants used by the Mexican population. Questioning also brought out the fact that the patrons would have no objection to slight increase to the same rate as that paid at Clifton.
 At Tucson Mir. Vaughn heard the duplication of Dick Purcell and C. R. Kenton to operate a stage line between Tucson and San Xavier mis- sion- There being no opposition, it is expected that the certificate of convenience and necessity will be granted.
 Mir Vaughn left Thursday night for Flagstaff to attend the second annual conference between the Ari- zona Wool Growers association and the Arizona Cattlemen's association. D. R. Johnson, rate expert with the commission, will address the meeting on the matter of securing more favor able freight rates on wool from Ari- zona points to the east.