Johnstown Plans to Buy Water Plant

Johnstown Plans to Buy Water Plant

Charles S. Price, president of the local water plant at Johnstown, Pa., has notified the mayor that his corporation will sell its property to the city for the tidy figure of $3,409,243. During Mayor Cauffiel's campaign municipal ownership of the water plant was one of the main planks of his platform, and largely on the strength of that plank he was elected by an overwhelming majority. Following the inauguration of the mayor, he and the water company engaged in some preliminary sparring, and a special committee was appointed by city councils to take up the matter of acquiring the plant. This committee decided to start the ball rolling by obtaining a price from the company. The Johnstown water corporation replied that it was perfectly willing to state its terms, but would need time for an expert to go over the various properties. As the result of an investigation made by Frederick P. Stearns, of Boston, the $3,000,000 figure was agreed upon. The fixing of a price places the matter squarely up to the city administration. It is argued by enemies of the municipal ownership idea that the city will be unable, under existing laws, to raise the sum needed. Mayor Cauffiel, on the other hand, declares that he has a method of obtaining the plant that will square with the law and still not overburden the city with debt. Sentiment in this city is divided upon the question and councils so far have failed to co-operate with the mayor in his municipal ownership plans. The chief executive declares that if he does not receive the proper backing from councils, he will carry the fight to the people and make municipal ownership an issue.

Charles S. Price, president of the local water plant at Johnstown, Pa., has notified the mayor that his corporation will sell its property to the city for the tidy figure of $3,409,243. During Mayor Cauffiel's campaign municipal ownership of the water plant was one of the main planks of his platform, and largely on the strength of that plank he was elected by an overwhelming majority. Following the inauguration of the mayor, he and the water company engaged in some preliminary sparring, and a special committee was appointed by city councils to take up the matter of acquiring the plant. This committee decided to start the ball rolling by obtaining a price from the company. The Johnstown water corporation replied that it was perfectly willing to state its terms, but would need time for an expert to go over the various properties. As the result of an investigation made by Frederick P. Stearns, of Boston, the $3,000,000 figure was agreed upon. The fixing of a price places the matter squarely up to the city administration. It is argued by enemies of the municipal ownership idea that the city will be unable, under existing laws, to raise the sum needed. Mayor Cauffiel, on the other hand, declares that he has a method of obtaining the plant that will square with the law and still not overburden the city with debt. Sentiment in this city is divided upon the question and councils so far have failed to co-operate with the mayor in his municipal ownership plans. The chief executive declares that if he does not receive the proper backing from councils, he will carry the fight to the people and make municipal ownership an issue.