Port Angeles Pays $5,000 for a Failed Municipal Power Scheme

Port Angeles, March 30.—Special.—A settlement was effected between W. C. Williams and the city in the matter of the municipal light bonds for which the water system was to be installed to supply the city's electric light plant. Williams has been threatening the city with a suit, and until yesterday the city was impelled to pay. The total amount of bonds was $10,000 for the purpose of purchasing an electric light plant and for the installation of water power with it. The site was bought for $27,600, and it was decided that Little River and Fraser Creek should supply the water power. The contract was let to W. C. Williams, and although no right-of-way had been secured, he was ordered to commence work on the flume, which was to conduct the water from Little River. The city officials, in carrying out the work, soon met with a series of difficulties which ultimately resulted in a general collapse of the scheme. Work was discontinued and the city now pays $5,000 for its experience. A balance of the bonds of the same series are held by the city treasurer and a number of taxpayers are in favor of retiring them, if possible, before they are squandered on some proposition equally as unbusinesslike as the last.