AN EXPENSIVE QUARREL.
NICHOLASVILLE Ky., has been practically without a water supply for over a year, and thus invited destruction by fire. The invitation was accepted, and on June 25 a whole business block was burned without there being any water for the fire department of the place— amply sufficient for all ordinary occasions—to use in fighting the fire. The water works at Nicholasville are in private hands, between whom and the municipal authorities there existed a contract for the payment of a stated sum for each fire hydrant in use. Some of these, of course, were seldom called into action; but the company had to have the water supply always ready for service in case of any or all being operated. The city authorities, however, claimed that some allowance should be made and the charges reduced because of the infrequeut use of some of these hydrants, and refused to pay therefor. The company accordingly turned off the water a year ago last May, leaving the town without adequate fire protection. The outcome was a fire loss of some $25,000. Such a history points the moral against dilatory methods in agreeing with one’s adversary quickly, while in the way with him. The Nicholasville municipal authorities were clearly in the wrong, and should, at least, have endeavored to effect a compromise with the water company. The contract entered into bound both parties equally. It had been faithfully lived up to by the water company, which, while not choosing to be bulldozed into any change in favor of the town, would, doubtless, have been willing enough to come to some arrangement in the matter. The Nicholasville people will probably profit by their very severe lesson, from which other towns might also take warning.
