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million dollars. They have once at least revised their figures and in creased them to about $1,200,000, and it is now apparent that their method of calculation is off about 25 per cent, at least. Can there be seen any saving1 in this when the city can buy the plant at the price named and have the revenues from it the day the deal is closed? Is it cheaper to have several years of litigation while our people suffer, and then in the end have to buy the plant, and perhaps at a price that shall take into account its earning capacity? Clearly not. Is there not some other reason existing beneath the surface that causes these people to try to obstruct this election and not let the people have a chance to vote? Are stockholders of the old water company behind them What are the real reasons? THREATENED LITIGATION. 7. Much ado has been made about the wonderful quo warranto proceedings. From what is said one would think that something had really been done. Let it be well understood that no action has as yet been commenced and that all that has been accomplished has been simply to get the consent of the Attorney General that suit may be instituted. The same one thou sand dollar opinion gotten from Judge Dillon gives this city no encouragement as to such a proceeding. It is mere folly to claim that the franchise of this company can be forfeited and the vested rights of the bond holders, whose money has been spent in the city, wiped out. Courts have dealt with such subjects too often to leave any foundation for such claim. The city located the pump ing station, directed it to be built there. It was built there. An ordin ance was passed for the protection of the water company which guar anteed the safety of its property rights. Against the protest of the water company the sewers were located by the city and the outlets of two main sewers constructed one on each side of the pumping station. Of the various troubles between the city and the company, the bond holders have had no knowledge and have not been blameable. The city has not been blameless in its course. Under these conditions, does any sensible man think for a moment that this franchise, against the pro test of the bondholders, can be for feited? If this purchase falls down and does not carry at this election, THE LABOR WORLD it means a long series of years of litigation, involving great expense, during which no work will be done, no bonds sold, and distress and great loss will surely follow. It seems that a letter has been ob tained from Dillon & Hubbard, in which they congratulate the City Attorney, and say in the letter that they trust this will enable the city to make fair terms for the pur chase of the water plant, "which," they say, "we believe is the proper ultimate solution for all parties Where is the opinion which Mr. Benhatn reported to the council which that firm had given that the courts would not disturb vested rights and forfeit the franchise. Does not the above letter show that Dillon & Hub bard have no faith in the quo warranto proceedings? On the con trary, they speak of it only as a club with which to help drive a bargain. Mayor Truelsen has repeatedly declared that he wants to buy the plant, but he wants to buy it at his own figures. He puts forward a pretense to workmen that they can get work by duplicating the plant. He well knows the city has not money with which to do it. He re lies on figures which every one who knows the cost of such construc tions, know are very much too low. He refers to the former vote of the city, two to one, not to buy. That, be it remembered, was at a price of $1,856,000 for the water plant alone. $500,000 has been repeatedly refused for the gas plant, and prominent parties have stated since this elec tion was called that $600,000 could be had for it. Take $500,000 from the price now asked for both plants, $1,695,000, and it leaves $1,195,000 for the water plant, as against $1,856,000, the price submitted by the stock holders before, which makes a sav ing of $661,000 in principal. The interest thus saved on this amotyit at per cent, alone amounts to the sum of about $900,000. Why not get down to facts in this case? Is the Mayor's statement a fair and candid one? Let us examine some figures: He figures in three items interest on all bonds, both those issued for new plant and those proposed to be issued to buy present plant, amounting annually to $136,000 To this he adds for operat ing expenses, taxes, etc 50,000 Making $186,000 He then says the earning capacity of present plants is$120,000 And by this juggling shows an apparent deficit of $66,000 In the first place the sum of $120,000 is the net earnings of the plant after deducting the operating expenses, taxes, etc., and as pro perty owned by the city is exempt from taxation, by his own figures this revenue would pay interest on all water and li^ht bonds—both old and new—leaving the entire earn ings of all new revenues and in creased earnings of the whole plant" for its reduction of water rates. Does any one question that the revenue of even the old plant will be increased by the con struction of the new intake? What has Mayor Truelsen done toward fulfilling his pledges made before his election to give the peo ple of Duluth pure water? When the council decided to lo cate the pumping station at Lake wood, which is by all odds the best location, he first tried to delay pro ceedings by an agitation to locate them at Brighton, then on Minne sota point. He is now opposing an expert engineer who, he, among others, recommended should be employed. He vetoed the resolution calling the election^ which was passed by the council uy a vote of 14 to 1, and when it was passed over his veto he was conspicuous in the unsuc cessful injunction suit. In voting for this purchase, tax payers vote to save money, citizens vote to protect the city's credit, laborers vote for work and for water works to be extended into parts of the city now sadly needing water, and the city becomes possessed of its own water and light plant. The proposition should carry by an overwhelming majority. Prohibitionists who feel that they must hold to their prin ciples and vote for the prohibi tion ticket, have but two electors in the field for Levering, and they can consistently vote for these two and cast seven votes for Brvan electors of their selection. Frank J. Weismiller, PIANO EXPERT Rooms 18-19-20 Mesaba Block, r- If you are in need of 13 TOMER Fire Insurance On your dwelling or household goods call upon C. A. & E. D. FIELD, Also Houses and Flats for rent, and general Real Estate and Loan agency. C. A. & E. D. FIELD, 19 Exchange Bid ., DULUTH, fllNN. Duluth Minn.