The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-10-26
Howell in Fighting Mood.

General Manager Howell on the Wit
ness stand under the strongest. most
concentrated fire since he took over
the water plant In the name Of the
city in 1912 was the same fighting
figure who by force ef logic and
strength Of convictions won for him
self the largest majority in Nebraska
history in a race for~United States
senator last fall.
On the plains Of Nebraska last
fall Howell was fighting with all
the ardor OF his nature TO put across
his belief that when all other means
fail and greed and profiteerinr con-
tinues. public competition Is the only
alternative On the witness stand
Yesterday. Hawell beset by public
competition enemies. was fighting
with equal ardor 70 prove that the
actual carrying out Of his plan Of pub
lie competition was successful.
Under the most gruelling cross *.
fminatien OF Commissioner koutskv
ana John l.. Moriarity, city attorney.
HoweH retained his composure and
answered clearly and TO their an
parent satisfaction every question.
At the end OF Howelrs testimony he
Drought the following omissions from.
koutsky and Moriarity:
koutsky-'HowelI did Ike ev.
eryone else would do who Aa
heart, he retained 4. Il. Hunt be.
cause he knew Of his worth and
long service and permitted Hunts
Judgment on washing basins 10
be final without keeping a clear.
analytical report of the wash.
ings. Now. that this has happen
ed, IL will never happen again
and we'll always have exact re-
ports Of when basins a re wash.
ed. An investigation is good for
any of us"
Moriarity-"No. that isn't il.
There Is no doubt that those feI-
lows out Of the plant were scared
that the machinery would break
down. But when a test came il
didn't breakdown and everything
worked admirably"
kept Pace With City.
Howell with figures that no on,
disputed. proved that every depari.
ment Of the water plant had been
given Improvements much in excess
OF the increase in consumption due
TO growth Of Omaha. Here's the
comparative percentages OF increased
consumption and improvements un-
der public ownership a. produced by
Howell:
Increase in water demand ss,s pct
Increase In water basin ca
Increase in pumping capacity IS pcs p
suiidins Of walnut n'' Mi feser r.
Increase in nine line service. so $50 ees ees
2eSt are figures produced by Howe
to show actual sums spent in mn
provements since the city took over
the water plant:
Mains Observation-Disclosures. SIssl aaa
Pumps .................... 4as eaa
Ra<fus ....#-.... xSs 0aa
Walnut Hni reservoir. -. ss.ee
fitfcration plant .....-..... s-s.eea
Other improvements .ss..... sse.ee
Total. ...... SslISoo.
In short" Howell stated. "whe'
the city took over the water plant
On July /. 1919. that plant had spent
$50 Tor every man. woman and child
in Omaha. To-day, We have added an
expenditure u SIS for every man
woman and child in omaha since that
time"
To disproVe charges thar the hoard
of directors ot the Metropolitan Utili.
ties district had retarded improve
ments to build up huge depreciation.
Howell produced thes figurs
Income ef plant in IL Year. 81 .ssl .eeo
psrled ....-. +sH.+.. s.s>s-esN
Expense Of plant in ,a,,~
Net earnings. .........s#... - aae.eee
In addition How'll said. tho pen.
pie of Omaha have saved SS,ese.oeo in
that time in the difference between our
rate and the old water company rate.
making total savings II Ss.s71 1eee,
All Of the money made eNccptins
$4,000. which Is in cash has been
turned hack into the plant
hut you have paid no faNes.
koutsky argued
Wed he mtShty glad TO fiSGrc out
TOR YOU the difference between the
taxes We would have paid and the
SS.nsO. ono savings m Mater rates IL
the people ot omaha Z ~ Moad "A
p,en,hcr 0 tbs enaul ot olanas,fs.
retorteo.