A letter to the Las Vegas mayor and city commissioners explaining that the water company wasn't interested in expanding their water system because of problems they had experienced the previous summer.
hln000858. Union Pacific Railroad Collection, 1828-1995. MS-00397. Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada. http://n2t.net/ark:/62930/d1sn0442z
English
March 26th, 1923 Hon. W. H. Dentner, Mayor and City Commissioners of Las Vegas, Nevada. Gentlemen: I am in receipt of your letter of March 20th making an inquiry at this time to be able to explain the exact situation of our company. It is evident, that from the present consumption of water in Clark Las Vegas townsite and taking into consideration the trouble we had last summer with the shortage of water, that it will be impossible for the las Vegas Land and and Water Company to supply any other districts than that covered by our present franchise, which is Clark's Las Vegas townsite only. Our limited supply of water, and excessive use in the summer time by each and every family, ( and we are making no request of curtailment of this, as we are very desirous of seeing the town beautified by lawns, trees, shrubbery, etc.,) and the marked increase for railroad purposes, consume the entire flow of our springs, and this year, by overcoming, some of our troubles of last summer we hope to keep up the pressure to the same standard as in the winter time, so that our patrons will have no complaint. One marked improvement is the reduced consumption of water by the Pacific Fruit Company plant. In the past they have been drawing on the water mains at the rate of 800 gallons per minute out by the installation of cooling towers, etc., this Spring they will reduce that consumption to 5O gallons per minute which fact alone will tend to keep our pressure up to the normal so that we may be able to supply patrons now dependent on our water system. Cur water mains are in splendid condition and the analysis undoubtedly demonstrates its purity. No where west of the Rocky Mountains can you find a water rate. as low as that of the Las Vegas Land and water Company where each family is allowed to use all they want, not only for household purposes, but also for lawn and garden, at a flat rate of $l.00 per month. Had we the water to do so, there might be some arrangement made, whereby we could supply other addition to Clark's Las Vegas townsite, but our supply is sufficient only for the demands now made upon it for the present townsite and the railroad purposes and we cannot now or at any time with our present facilities undertake to supply other additions to Clark's las Vegas townsite. were we by any means compelled to supply outlying districts it would resolve itself into a metering of the entire water system which, at the present rate of consumption would amount to possibly, more than $2O.00 per family per month or an absolutely prohibitive rate instead of the dollar per month rate. care for outlying districts or additions, but as I have stated above, it is absolutely impossible for us to entertain the proposition at all, as our limited supply of water is now entirely under consumption. Sincerely hoping this will explain both to the Honorable mayor and City Commissioners and the general public of Las Vegas the situation and attitude of the Las Vegas Land and water company, I remain Yours very truly,