The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1921-11-09
THE wA1I1n noAnp,s roLIcN


In Its statement 10 the citizens Of Tulsa ,ho
noupartisan water board cnuncates a policy
which should command the enthusiastic sup
port Of every man and woman in the com
munity Tho report cyinces q rugged doiermin--
zion on the part Of the board 90 protect tho
city and It's citizcns az every point, and to pre-
serve every right the city now has for the
benefit Of those who may como after us.
The record appears TO show that Charles
Page. promoter of tho Shell creek water sup
ply has failed thus far to accept the boords
invitation to meet with It for the purpose OF
arriving az somo specific conclusion, not only
has Page failed TO accept tho boards invitn-
ton but he has returned tho reply that hc pre-
fcrred not to meet the board in person. This
sets up a very peculiar condition Of affairs in
deed. Since the principal refused TO negotiate,
tho board took the only action possible, 1t pre-
sentod to the absent water promoter tho terms
on which It would be willing to enter into the
proposed contract, and put It squarcly 10 Page
20 accept the terms the boards dccision TO
consider that particular phase OF the wetcr
question closed
The World desires Il understood that II does
not approve the boards decision TO contract
for Shell creek water For reasons which It has
stated at some length heretofore. II does not
consider It a sound undertaking, to involve the
city In such a contract and impose upon the
people substantially Increased costs for a mere
fnake-shift supply OF water which is con-
feasedly insufficient to meet the requirements
OF the people II believes the present water sup
ply everything taken into consideration. Is the
best and most economical to rely on until that
time when the Spavihaw project In ready 20
serve the city thoroughly
The world cannot bring itself to advise the
taxpayers OF the city to take on this contract
with Shell creek even temporarily, since It Is
lacking every prudent business consideration.
1t has made It's position very clorr TO both the
public and the water board But II the water
board feels tina. out OF regard Tor those who
have been pressing for Shell creek water tho
city should take on this supply pending tho com
pieton OF the spavinaw project, Mt least
negotiate aate contract, 10 possible, and sub
init that contract to the people themselves The
World VIII merely save ts objections and con-
tinue TO support the board fully at every point.
Unqucsionably tulsa rs fortunate In having a
board composed OF men so thoroughly worthy
the public's respect and confidence,
As to the contract terms presented to Charles
Page, surely there can be no criticism from any
citizen seeking Tulsa's ultimate welfare, Not
can Page or his associates dcrpur fairly Fol
them to do SO would be for them to admit that
they seek strangle-hold on the city's futur,
and hope to ho permitted to compete watc
vendors with the city itself after The Spav!n0v
project Is complete. This, 81 course, will nevc
be permitted.
In submitting proposal 10 PAGE the boar,
has put the Shell creek proposition outside m
main issue Thorc Is now no conflict at all be
tween that and tho spavnaw proposition. Th'
operates 20 set M n sound water policy am,
places the ponpartsan water commission firml
behind that policy This IN itself s an achieve
ment worth while. We venture TO think thl
is the position the board should havo occuric
all the while, That public opinion viii snppor
the nonpartiSan water board fully we have n
doubt.
As matters stand, the shell creek adhercnt
may have shell creek water or permanently ON
the controversy by mere yes or no. soone
or later every proposition reaches that STAG,
And when that stage is reached the end OF con
troversy is In sight