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About The North Platte semi-weekly tribune. (North Platte, Neb.) 1895-1922 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 20, 1909)
ADVERTISEMENT To the Voters of North Platte. ordinance and acceptance thereof by the North Platte Water Company, and when ordered by said City the said North Platte vyorks tompany shall extend its mains in the various streets of said city to n total length from three and one-half (3J) to four (4) miles, and I upon sucn extensions the said Water Works Company shall erect one ! nre nydrnnt for each six hundred eighty-eight (G88) feet of said cxten Water sions or fraction thereof, provided, however, that in any ense the dis in the twice of two blocks shnll not equal six hundred eight-eight (G88) I have been asked by a great many citizens as to what the v,wu.,.uj, ,,uuiu in inu wuy oi a new contract witn tne city in tiie tance ot two blocks shall not equal six hundred eight-eight (G88) feet, event the proposed bonds were defeated, and in answer to these inquiries, one fire hydrant shall be placed for each two (2) blocks or fraction there as well as to the argument being made in favor of voting the bonds that of in such extension. Said fire hydrants and any fire hydrants contracted it tne bonds are defeated the city will be at the mercy of the Water Com- for hereafter shall be for the purpose of furnishiml wnter for fire extin imny, i nerewiui puoiisn an ordinance wmcn tne Water Company would guishmg purposes and necessary dr and fire nrncilco. and said Wntn.r vvorKs company agrees to allow tne uity to use the necessary water to wasli and Hush sewers and gutters m said City without additional cost to som uuy anu mere snail be no nozzle used nritar turn one (1) inch. I mid fnr SlU'll nitrnrvspq fMllv mio firr hvrlrrmt oliiiU hn ncnrl nt n iimn niwl . , "V- - - " - " - ------ i J ' " " ' J v' - . . V J ' 1 II 1 1 I ' J uubll lib A Willi. 11 1 1 VI uie cuy jhu.uu per year, orsM,uuu tortile seventy-live Hydrants. All not during the time of fire or lire nrnctice. and in case of practice of the lire department and ilushim! of sewers and ihittcrs. the suner accept and put into effect at once. Under this ordinance the city will get me mums exienueu to any extent tney desire at once and without any expense to the citizens, a fire hydrant being placed every two blocks to give ample fire protection. The first seventy-five fire hydrants will cost uie cuy jhu.uu per year, or $3,uuu lor, the seventy-live hydrants. All fire hydrants in excess of seventy-five, which will of necessity be nut in at once, will only cost the city $25.00 each per year, thus making it easy to get large mains extended and fire protection afforded in the future growth of the city. The present rates for domestic water service will be reduced fifteen per cent from what it now is, and minimum charge for metered service is reduced to seventy-five cents per month. These reductions are far more than the Water Company should be asked to make, as is plainly shown by the following statement, of receipts and disbursements of the Waterworks Company for the year 1908 as verified by a committee from the city council who, after examining the company's books, reported that this statement made by the Water Company was correct: Receipts from private consumers $12,062.65 City Fire Hydrants 3,165.00 Total 15,227.05 Operating expenses 8,300.00 Balance S 6,927.65 Now while the water plant has cost the company considerbly in excess of $100,000.00, we will figure on the price placed upon it by a board of competent and unbiased water works engineers, in compliance with the contract between the water company and the City of North Platte, viz: $85,000.00. You will see that for the year of 1908, which was the best by far of any of the 20 years the plant has been operated, the company made about eight per cent on $85,000.00. When you consider that this has to provide for interest and depreciation and assuming the many chances for large losses by reason of accidents to machinery or men in their employ, none can justly say that it is too much. However, in or der to get the present unfortunate complications settled, the Water Com pany would agree to this proposed ordinance which will decrease the revenue about $2,000.00 and increase the investment for new mains, etc., by at least $25,000.00. Now let us see what the figures will show operating under the pro posed ordinance, with the present connections. The reduction of fifteen per cent from domestic revenue umounting to $1,809.-10, and reduction on hydrant rental to city of $165.00 making a total of $1,974.40, thus reducing the total revenue from all sources to $13,253.25. I estimate a probable increase in revenue from new connections on the extensions to be made in placing new fire hydrants at about $300.00 to $350.00, mak ing a probable total revenue, when lines are completed, of about $13,603.25. Adding the new investment of $25,000.00 to the present aluation of $85,000.00 will make a total investment of $110,000.00. The operating expenses in the immediate future will of necessity increase as the plant has assumed proportions which will require more force to operate it: but assuming for this argument the operating ex penses of 1908 of $8,300.00 we arrive at the following condition: Revenue $13,603.25 Operating expenses 8,300.00 Net revenue $ 5,303.25 which is less than five per cent interest on $110,00.00, out of which de preciation must be taken care of. Any one can readily see that operating under these rates the only chance the Water Company will have to ever make a fair interest on the money invested will have to come through a material growth of the city and their only motive in making the reduction in rotes as provided for in this ordinance is to protect the property interests which they now have in North Platte and not the hope of making a large amount of money out of the plant as has been charged by those opposed to us. With all the above statement of facts and figures before them, we trust the citizens will see that it is not to their interests to burden them selves with unnecessary bonds for the purpose of building another water plant, but, bearing in mind the service and treatment they have received from the North Platte Water Company, will vote against the proposed bonds and insist that the liberal terms proposed in the ordinance shall be accepted by the city. Yours truly, W. M. CUNNINGHAM, Supt. AN ORDINANCE. An ordinance to provide for the supply of water to the City of North Platte, in the County of Lincoln and State of Nebraska and its in habitants, authorizing the North Platte Wnter Works Company, a cor poration of the State of Nebraska, its successors or assigns, to maintain, operate and extend its system of waterworks, and contracting with said North Platte Water Works Company, its successors or assigns, for a supply of water for public use and giving to said City of North Platte an option to purchase said works, Be it ordained by the Mayor and Council of the city of North Platte: Section 1 That in consideration of the benefits which will result to the City of North Platte and its inhabitants from the maintenance, oper ation and extension of the waterworks in said' city, there is hereby granted to the North Platte Waterworks Company of the State df Ne braska, its successors or assigns, the right to operate, maintain and ex tend its system of waterworks, pipes, mains, conduits and hydrants in and along the streets, lanes, avenues, alleys and public grounds of the City of North Platte, for supplying water for domestic and other pur poses for a period of twenty (20) years. Section 2. The water supply shall be from wells not less than seventy (70) feet deep, and if practicable al new additional wells shall not be less than one hundred (100) feet deep. The pumps shall have a capacity to throw a total of six (6) fire streams from six (6) separute hydrants through one hundred (100) feet of two and one-half (2) inch rubber hose, and one (1) inch ring nozzle, to a maximum height of one hundred (100) feet or one hundred and thirty-five (135) feet horizontally in still air in or at any location in said City for a period of two consecutive linnrs mul whilfi there is a fire a total pressure at the pump house of eighty-five (85) pounds shall be attained and maintained, and for general service a minimum pressure at the pump house of forty pounds from seven nViork A. M. to n ne o c bck P. M., and thirty iau) pounds irom nine nVinnk p. M. until seven o'clock A. M. The said Company shall keep all a hvfimnts constantly in an efficient working condition and in the event of their being out of order and on being notified of such condition, shall promptly repair the same. Rpntinn 3. That in consideration ot the benehts that win accrue tn tiio ritv of North Platte by reason of thcniaintainance, operation and extensions of said water works company of North Platte, the said City of intendent of the Wnter Works Company shall be notified, except where the Hushing of sewers is done automatically. Section 4. That said Water Works Company, its successors or as signs, shall make other additional extensions of its water mains on any street or streets of said city when requested by reso'ution of the council, provided that one (1) fire hydrant shall be established on each six hun dred eighty-eight (688) feet of such extension, but not exceeding one (1) (ire hydrant for each two (2) blocks or fraction thereof of such extension. And provided further that no extension of six (6) inch njnins shall be ordered under this section unless there are at least four bona fide water users for each block of mains desired. And for each of said fire hydrants the city shall pay to said Water Works Company, its successors or as signs., rental as provided for in Section three (3) of this ordinance. In all extensions of which fire hydrants are to be located, cast iron pipes of. not less than six (6) inch in diameter shall be used and which shnll stand a hydrostntic pressure of three hundred (300) pounds per square inch. Section 5. In consideration of such f onchise said Water Company, its successors or assigns agree that said city shall have the privilege of using water free of charge for the flushing of sewers through automatic Hush tunks set to flush once or twice each twenty-four (21) hours, and also the privilege of using water for two watering troughs f.r man and beasts and for the free Use of water in the fire department building. All water for sewer Hushing, watering troughs and fire department contem plated in this section shall be only for actual uses, and in an economical manner and without waste. Section 6. In the operation, mnintninnnce, repairs and extensions of street mains, there shall be no unnecessary or unreasonable obstruc tion of streets, avenues, lanes, alleys and public grounds and same shall be restored to their former condition ns near and as soon .n practicable by the said Water Company; and should the Water Company, its succes sors or assigns, fail to restore the said streets to their former condition as near and as soon as practicable the City of North Platte, through its Street Commissione-, shall have the right to restore the said streets to their former condition at the expense of the said Water Company, its successors or assigns, and shall have the right to deduct and retain the amount of such expense incurred by said City from the next hydrant rental due to said Water Company, its successors or assigns, under this agreement, and shall, moreover, be liable for all damages resulting there from to any person, such damage to be recovered by such person in any court of jurisdiction Section 7. It is understood that the making of this contract shall not prevent municipal ownership of its water works and therefore the said City of North Platte at any time upon giving six months' notice in writing to said Water Company, its successors and assigns, shall have the right to purchase the then entire system at a valuation to he ascertained by a Board of Commissioners, consisting of three competent persons, non-residents of said city and county, one to be appointed by the said city, one by said company, its successors or assigns, and the third by the two already chosen. Section 8. It is further provided and ordained that the said Water Company, its successors or assigns, from and after the passage and ap proval of this ordinance may charge and collect not more than the water rates set forth in the following schedule of rates, to-wit, ASSESSMENT RATES. Banks, one. basin $ 6.80 per annum Bakeries, for average daily use, one barrel of flour. . . . 3.40 per annum Barber Shops, one chair 4.25 per annum Each additional chair 2.33 per annum Bath Tub, private, each tub 3.40 per annum Hotel or Boarding House, each tub 6.80 per annum Public Bath, each tub 10.20 per annum Billiard Saloon, each table 2.55 per annum Boarding House, each room 1.27 per annum Book-binding, per hand 85 por annum BrickWork, per M. laid 85 per thousand Brick Yard, each table or gang, per season 17.00 per annum Shops 6.80 per annum Cigar Manufacturers, per hand 1.27 per annum Candy Manufacturers $12.75 to $25.50 per annum Confectioners $6.80 to $25.50 per annum Cows, each 1.27 per annum Creameries and Canneries, snecial or meter Dyeing and Scouring ". $6.80 to $25.50 per annum Distilleries, for each barrel distilled 17 per annum Forge, first fire 3.40 per annum Each additional fire 2.12 per annum Fountains, each jet, one eighth inch $10.20 per season Each additional jet, one eighth inch $6.80 per season Halls and 1 heatres 15.80 to 25.50 per annum Horse, including carriage washing. 1.70 per annum Hotel, per room 1.22 per annum Ice Cream Saloons 6.80 fo 22.50 per annum Laundry $6.80 to 85.50 per annum Office and sleeping room 2.55 to 6.80 per annum Oyster saloons 6.80 to 25.50 per annum Printing olhces, special or meter. Photograph galleries 8.50 to 25.50 per annum Plastering per square yard 17-80c per square yard Residence, one family, one to six rooms 5.10 per annum Each additional room 85c per annum Restaurants 8.50 to 25.50 per annum Sprinkling in front of business houses, per front foot. . 10 5-8c per season bpnnkhng gardens, lawns, etc., per front foot 7 13-40c per season No hose rate less than $5.00. In sprinkling the hose is limited to 3-4 inch and nozzle to 1-4 inch in diameter. Sprinkling carts, special or meter. Stable, livery, feed, etc., including washing, per stall .... 1.27 per annum Steam boilers, per horse power, 2.12 per annum Stone work per perch 4 1 -2c per perch Stores and shops 6.80 to 17.00 per anuum Urinals, each 6.80 to 10.20 per annum Water closets, private, each 2.55 per annum Water closets, public, each 6.80 per annum MLTJSK KAI LS First 25,000 gallons per month 21 l-2c per thousand gallons Next 25,000 gallons per month 17c per thousand gallons All over 50,000 gallons per month 12 3-4c per thousand gallons if a consumer desires to purchase water at meter ratoe instead of Works said city shall have the right to furnish and connect at its own expense Water any additional tire hydrants upon the then existing cast iron pipe system. and use the same free of charge; said Water Works Company to keep said hydrants In repair. Section 11. The said City of North Platte hereby reserves the right to require the said North Platte Water Works Company td furnish any person applying therefor, along its lines of pipes, mains and conduits with water, and should the herein schedule of rates prove to be unreason able, the said City reserves the right to regulate and fix n reasonable schedule of charges. Section 12. The said Water Company or its successors or assigns shall have the right to shut off temporarily any part of its said system fortho purpose of making repairs or extensions or unavoidable causes without liability therefor. Section 13. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and publication according to law. Passed and approved this day of 1909. Mayor. Attest: City Clerk. fc4ifci)i.4.iiA.i:ikl.)i:i)i. (- ", WA1 Lnfc.5. Our stock of watches speaks eloquently of good t things, and there are many people whose hap- t py experiences confirm the reliability and worth t of tho.ni Our success as watch t sellers has not been t merely fortuitous, but is the result of the unwav- a ering integrity and knowl- edge gained by long t years of study. Every t watch we sell is a guar- anteed time keeper. t 1 hus you have more reason to consider this store as an object wor thy your seeking. DIXON, The Jeweler Union Pacific Watch Inspcqtor. J- Tr!M frfr SCHILLER & CO., Prescription Druggists First Poor North ot First Notional Hank Tom Gutherless nnd Lew Dean re turned yesterday from a visit at tho Frontier Days celebration nt Cheyenne. Ladies' tailored suits for the fnll Benson nre now on sale nt Tho Lender, Chas Hcndy, of Denvor. who hnd been at Choyonno attendinc tho mito rnces, enme down Wednesday and re turned to Denver ho following dny. Boys' suits at very low pricos at tho Leader. J. 13. McDonnld and P. A. White and purty will return Sunday from their trip to tiheycnnu anu uenver. they loft Choyenno for Donvor yesterday. Children's and Misses' suits for fall 1909 nro now shown at The Leader. Practically all the rrossings in town avo been supplied with pormn'nont walks, and tho contractor is now put ting in cement alloy crossings". Mnrth Pinttft hfirehv agrees to rent and docs rent for tho term of twenty 'fon vp.nrs tho nresent fiftv-four (54) fire hydrants and also agrees and the assessment rates, a meter shall be purchased, installed and main doe3 hereby rent all additional fire hydrands which may bo added to the j tained at his expense. If the Wnter Company desires to supply water at vater works system during tho extension of this franchise, and does 1 meter rates instead of tho assessment rates, meter shall bo purchased, agreo to pay as annual rontal for all such hydrants tho sum of 340.00 installed and maintained at the Company's expense. Each live-eighth oh nor fl-nnum for the first ecventy-fivo (75) firo hydrants, which inch meter placed shall produce a minimum revenue to the Water Com- renuil is to begin from the date of the installment of said Are hydrants, pany of seventy-five cents per month nnd a proportionate minimum And hereby further agrees and promises to pay as rental for all fire when larger meters are required. wHmnts fistnblishcd in said city upon any of the extensions made as Section 9. That within sixty GO days after the passage and ap imroinfiftor nrnvided. the sum of $25.00 for each and every fire hydrant provalofthis ordinance the said Water Works Company its successors so established in excess of said seventy-five (75), which rental shall be- or assigns, shall file with tho City Clerk, its written acceptance of tho ijlin from the date of tho establishment ot said tiro Hydrant and all oi terms and conditions ot tins ordinance. S1i.pIi wntnls shall be payable semi-annually, on the first days of Jan- Section 10. When the City shall have rented not lc3s than one 1 , nnd .Ttilv nf each vear with legal interest upon the deferred pay- fire hydrant for not Jess than 088 feet of pipe of said Dine system or not menu Ab b'oon us rmiUiuublo uftvr tho passage and appruvul of this less thun ono hydrant fur each two 2 elocka of said pipe uystum thu Advortl.iompnt. A Criticism from Wahoo. l'rnm tlio Wnhoo, (Nob.) Wain. Tho time has not so far slipped by that all our citizens havo forgotten tho Amcri an Water Co., that ownod and operated tho old water works plant and tho merry time tho mayor ana city council hnd in out gcnornling tho gang. That was about two years ago. Sirco that timo quite a number of towns nnd cities hnvn follovrod our courvo and got rid of this octopua, but they havo all had troublo in doing an. Tho latest to get into lime light is North Platte, n division point on tho Union Pacific out west of Kearney. Thoro as hro tho American Wnter Co. has had a water plant for years and robbed tho people. Tho North Platto pcoplo determined on a munici pal plant and the council ordered an election to voto tho necessary bonds. Tho water company, in its endeavors to defeat tho bond proposition bought up tho North Piatto Telegraph (osten sibly) by paying its editor A. V. Kelly ?IS50 In cash, with a further promise of $250 if tho bonds wero defeated. Mr. Kelly has exposed tho deal in tho columns of tho Telegraph, printing copies of nil receipts anil transactions between him and the water company though Its nttornoy. Mr. Kelly al lowed himself to bo properly bribed until ho got tho company where ho wanted them. A very propor way to treat a gang liko that. It is very evident that tho company's attorney isn't lingering in tho classic shades of North I'latto just now. Ho has probably gono back to Pittsburg to tell tho boss how ho got taken in by a cow boy nowspnpor man out on tho Ne braska plains, but his going doesn't remove cither the cause or edoct of his handiwork. It only establishes a fact that wo have found out here, had our newspaper men been crnfty, and that is that tho American Water' Company aro a set of plain grafters. Wo always knew they wero thieves through n long series of dirty dealing, but wo hnd given them credit tor having moro gumption than to bo caught rrd-handed and moro honor than to add bribery to their other sins. Tho uncovoring of this mighty ectopus ought to result in a practically unanimous voto for the bondst Tho Tribune dovotos most of its ipneo this week to tho pro and con of tho proposed wator bonus, a question of impnrtanco to city readers, but not of much interest to outsido readers. But this is tho Inst issuo prior to election, and tho last op portunity to bo heard through theso columns. Mr. and Mrs. James Flynn and daughter Madgo loft this morning fdr Denvor, where they will bo joined by John Flynn nnd two daughters, of Sioux City, Iowa. Thoy will bo tho guests of relatives in Denver nnd visit other points for a week or ton days. Only ono bid was received for the con struction of tho now frm house on tho experimental station, nnd it was so much nbovo the architect's ostimato that it is questionable if it is accepted. Tho estimated cost of tho house which is to hnvo thirteon rooms is in tho neigh borhood of six thousand dollars. Boars for Sale. Thoro aro still soma choice Duroc Jersey boars for sale at each at tho Experimental young $15.00 Substation. $5 Any Wash Suit $5 -We have ELEVEN SUITS left from this spring's purchase. They are assorted colors and sizes. Regular prices range from $6.50 to $18.00, We have put them on sale Friday at your choice $5.00. Wilcox Department Store