The Bend bulletin., July 27, 1925, Image 2

The
erchants of Bend Are Not
Against Securing Better Water
We submit again for the consideration of the voters the
following figures. These same figures were published
more than a week ago and as yet not one word has
been published to indicate that they were not correct:
NOT $600,000 BUT $656,000
The voters of Bend are asked to authorize a $600,000
bond issue for the purpose of buying the water, system
of the Bend Water, Light & Power Co. and running a
pipe line up to the South Fork of the Tumalo. Even
though the city wanted to go into municipal ownership
and to contract such a debt as this bond issue would
create the plan should be voted down because $600,000
would not do the work. It is not enough money. It is
just a beginning and the end is nowhere in sight.
What are the costs? No one yet knows definitely but
a beginning toward ascertaining the figure can be made.
In the Dubuis and Koon report published in The Bulle
tin last spring and now reprinted by the council for dis
tribution to the voters certain figures are set forth.
Others appear in a preliminary statement on the cover
of this report made by A. O. Schilling, chairman of the
election committee.
Below is a statement of account made up from these
sources. Study it. Test it by comparison with the report
and then decide whether you want to vote "Yes" when
the election comes .
The very lowest estimate of cost of the pur
chase of the present plant and the extension to
Tumalo creek according to Dubuis & Koon
(See Plan A, pages 19 and 20 of the printed
report) is $582,000.00
This plan, however, sets the amount to be
paid for the present system at $250,000 while
the company's offer, apparently satisfactory to
the council (see inside front cover of printed
report) is to sell for 8264,195 which increases
the total cost by 14,195.00
That price of 264,195, however, is of Octo
ber 1, 1924. Since that date the company has
expended in the development of its system and
expects the city to pay additional about 15,000.00
In addition we are now told by the council
that it has arranged to secure Tumalo water
(sec inside front cover of printed report) at
a cost of i 15,000.00
That last .$15,000 is for Deschutes water to
be given the Tumalo district in exchange for
water taken from Tumalo creek. It goes to
the North Canal Company. Competent attor
neys assert that in addition the city will have
to pay a further sum to the Tumalo district for
taking water from the creek. Tumalo settlers
have said that they would demand all the way
from $20,000 to $60,000. We think something
must be paid but we do not know the amount
and so will leave it out of this account.
Now. then, add up our agreed and admitted
figures and observe that the grand total of
cost is $626,195.00
At the election you will vote on a bond is
sue of $600,000 to pay this total expense of
$626,195. That bond issue of $600,000 the coun
cil -of the city of Bend has agreed to sell, if
the election carries, for the sum of $570,180.
Now look at your account.
Grand total cost (minimum figure) $626,195.00
S600.000 bond issue will bring 570,180.00
Shortage of funds $ 56,015.00
WHO WOULD EVER THINK OF VOTING YES ON
THIS $600,000 BOND ISSUE WHEN HE KNEW THAT
THE COST OF THE BUSINESS WAS GOING TO BE
AT LEAST $56,015 MORE?
STUDY THESE FIGURES CAREFULLY
But they are against the plan now proposed by the Bend
City Council to foist a tremendous debt at a high rate of
interest by voting the issue of $600,000 for the purchase of
a
the plant and system of the Bend Water, Light & Power
Company and to extend it to Tumalo Creek.
We Ask Every Voter to
FIRST
Be sure that the amount proposed by this bond issue, $600,000.00, will
be sufficient to do this work.
SECOND
Ask any land owner in the Tumalo District if they are going to let Bend
have Tumalo water on the payment of $15,000.00 to the North Canal Com
pany without a lawsuit then ask your lawyer about what this suit will
cost Bend if we win, and get an estimate of how long the litigation will tie
us up, during which time we will be paying interest on the entire $600,000.
WE CONTEND
That, by voting these bonds, we vote the City of Bend into a period of liti
gation with the people of Tumalo District that will extend over a long per
iod. Financially this would add to the total cost in addition to the $56,
015.00 and would create a feeling between the people of the District and
Bend which would work to the disadvantage of both for many years to
come. By voting these bonds we make trouble which we do not want.
The policy of the Council is not good business.
YOU PAY FOR THIS ISSUE IF IT IS VOTED
Whether you pay taxes, rent your home or buy merchandise this enor
mous taxation will effect both the amount you will earn and the amount
you will save.
We urge you to go slow and consider the situation most carefully.
VOTE "NO"
Paid Adv., Bend Merchants Group, S. W. Hubble, Sec'y