The producers news., 1935-09-20
Mass Pressure Halts
Hand Of Authority
Huge Mass Meeting Passes Resolutions Demanding Aud
it OF City Water Books, and Demand Public Ser
vice Comm. Investigate Charges of Discrimination
Many Speakers FIay Fascist Tactics

reSpondent)- PUBLICITY, aroused
public sentiment and mass
resentment h a S halted the T.
city and water board auth
tiles in their plans to
deny all water service to several !
hundred families on relief, and |
other destitute persons who are
now unable to pay for the water.
The local water commission and |
the city administration, to which
it is responsible, now find them
| selves in a more embarrassing, un-
American and unwarranted posi-
tion than heretofore. due to fail
ure to carry out the harsh and
drastic policies out which they an
nounced about two months ago. In
reversal of their own drastic or
der, which would have denied all
water service to anywhere from
two hundred families, they have
shut off the taps that serve only
nine and thereby lain themselves
open to the moral and legal charg-
es of discrimination.
MASS MEETING
TAKES ACTION
Such was the general tenor of
expression in a mass meeting hedl
last night in the Livingston Labor
Temple. The hall was packed to
overtlowing. A resolution demand
ing a complete audit of city water
books and records by Certified
Public Accountant was demanded
by unanimous vote. Another reso-
luton charging discrimination and
requesting the Montana Public Ser
vice Commission to hear such COM
plant, in addition to charges bas-
ed on excessive rates and unrea-
sonable policies, was also unani-
mously passed. Copies Of the reso-
lutions appear elsewhere in this
issue.
WATER PLANT
FINANCIAL SUCCESS
The Livingston water plant was
built in 1919 and is municipality
owned. 1t has since paid for it.
self and accumulated a surplus of
twenty-five or thirty thousand dol
lars despite the fact that many
thousands have been diverted from
water to other city funds. There is
the additional fact that several
hundred users that are amply able
to pay for water service, are de-
linquent in payment for various
periods running up to six years
There is the possibility that othel
users, who enjoy close connections
with the city hall ring, do not ap
pear on the books at all. Despit'
mismanagement, the municipa
plant has had marked financia
success and is now able to furnisl
water to all destitute.
DRASTIC ORDER
STARTS FIGHT
On July 16, after water servic
to eight users who are unable t
pay, had been shut off, citizens o
+; the town started protest at sue
needless action. The local Waite
le Board called special meeting an
a. confirmed the action of its waite
w superintendent and water cler
:. and further provided:
y That the Water Clerk, be and
a. he is hereby authorized and di.
rected to discontinue water ser
o. vice, and to cause to be shut of
all water to any premise, thS
owner or occupant of which il
So delinquent and in arrears in hi
water account. 1t is the intent o
the Water Board hereby to au
thOrize the Water Clerk to dis
ER continue water service to all de
RI linuuent users of water IN sai'
- - city. Said Clerk is directed t,
IN discontinue such service unit
R said water account is paid II
full.
VS. DELINQUENCIES REVEALED
M Irate citizens then made slns
~ check of the water records
IN though city attorney Fitzger.
C. attempted to deny such inspectl
and check. 1t was discovered TT
M although eight of the most des
~ tute families had been denied v
ter for failure to pay, there We
more than eight hundred other
linouents. Hundreds of these,
Guiding two hundred families
relief cannot pay. Other hundre
,rv including some of the most pro
- inent figures in the town. are a
to nav but have not been dong
ow- Manv other evidences OF ire
lat larity, favoritism, and general n
80 mona oement were uncovered
,o0; given to the public thru the m
iilii' ium of a local mimeographed sh
stu called the Eye Opener. Thus.
inc Iivingston's Copper collared d;
Iege paper, the Enterprise, has not I
:. toned the water mess.
- CITY AUTHORITIES
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