Ballard's Water Fight Goes to Court

A short time since John Shields began suit in the superior court to have the city of Ballard enjoined from purchasing certain water works from the West Coast Improvement Company. The city of Ballard filed an answer yesterday in which it denies the allegations contained in the plaintiff's complaint.

It admits that the system of water works owned by the West Coast Improvement Company is not a well or deep-water system, but a system deriving its water from springs. It further says that at the commencement of the proceedings negotiations were pending between the city and the West Coast Improvement Company for the purchase of the works; that the city of Ballard has never entered into any contract for the purchase of the water works; and that all the water works of the city would be of great advantage to Ballard under the provisions of the ordinance. After consideration by the council, the terms offered, it says, are a bargain.

In conclusion the answer says that if the injunction is granted, as prayed for in this case, it will retard the construction of the water works and do irreparable injury to the city; that it is important for the water works to continue and be put into immediate use; and that by purchasing the pipe already laid the same saving will be made to the city. It asks that the suit be dismissed.