Ballard’s Fight to Own Its Water

The city council of Ballard proposes to make a strong fight against John Shields, who is endeavoring to prevent it from purchasing the water plant of the West Coast Improvement Company with money which he says the people voted for the purchase of a new plant. Yesterday a large number of affidavits were filed in the superior court to show that the proposed purchase would be of great advantage to the city.

One affidavit is signed by W. B. Ballard, who is at the head of the West Coast Improvement Company. He states that the contemplated purchase by the council includes one mile of 4-inch pipe, 1,500 feet of 2-inch pipe, and 2,000 feet of 1-inch pipe. It is first-class, he alleges, in every respect, and not second-class material, as alleged by Shields. The 4-inch pipe cost the company a substantial sum, and the balance of the pipe cost $1,757.43, making a total cost of more than $7,000. The contemplated purchase also includes two lots and a reservoir, together with water privileges and other pipe. The company, Mr. Ballard states, has spent in the neighborhood of $14,000 in cash in erecting its present plant, and the monthly receipts are in the neighborhood of $100.

Other affidavits filed are to the effect that the pipe is in first-class condition and that it will be great economy on the part of the council to make the purchase instead of a worthless expenditure of the people’s money, as is alleged by those who see with Shields against the purchase.