The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-08-06
ONE MORE REASON

Each day some part of the city government adds
a new reason for casting off the antiquated form
Of city rule and adopting the modern one OF city
manager.
Today it is the fact that the council or rather
the little group which forms the majority and shows
remarkable aptitude for putting new burdens on
business, is investigating municipality owned water
systems.
They have already announced that they propose
to buy the plant if possible.
There is every reason to believe that some of
them HAYS been to the east where the ownership of
the company is lodged
The present city charter under which they were
elected to office and hold Office unfortunately con-
tans no safeguard against any bargains made by the
city council in the y~of a referendum by the
people on the amount of debt they may incur.
So it happens that these councimen if they
wish, may decide to give the Philadelphia
price that would make them very happy and put the
city under a burden of debt which would make the
people of indianapolis very unhappy for many years
to come
Selling public utilities to the city has been the
big desire of many utility owners since the war.
For they have found way to collect for themselves
a few extra millions by capitalizing that
The water company's property for the most
part consists of it's pipes and mains The larger part
was bought before the war. But the war sent up
sale, the company will follow legal presidents
which being and have been established, by claim
ing replacement value instead Of cost value and
proceed to cash in the extra millions which the
added to its pipes under the city streets
The city, of course should its water
system. Every city should have it's supply. So
important necessity of life and of growth and of
progress should not be made the subject of private
profit it's supply permitted to be regulated by
private interests and greeds.
The day will come when the city will own that
plant
But when it is bought. the negotiations should be
in the hands of officials who able to compete in
bargaining with lawyers of the company, officials
who have public confidence and public trust
Would any group Of business men, banded to-
gether for the purpose of buying factory worth
millions of dollars pick these councilmen to ne
gotiate pass values?
How big would be the rush of investors if it
were announced that these men, who have the power
to put the city into debt and buy this plant would
form private company for the purchase and opera.
ton Of that plant?
Yet these councilmen are the logical product of
the present system which puts premium on poll
tics.
They are probably no better and no worse than
can be expected as long party bosses and ward
politicians run the city on political basis in the
interests Of State and nationals machines
Other cities, including Cleveland, Cincinnati and
Kansas City, finding themselves similarly hampered,
have gone to the city manager plan.
This city must get on modern basis If it
wishes to win in the competition of cities
The threat of these councilmen to buy the plant
of the water company, and 1t becomes threat when
left to their judgment to price and conditions,
ought to hasten the movement to adopt the modern
method of government