The Times News

City Votes To Retain Water Board, Belief
Surprisingly Large Vote Is Cast Today in View of Lack of Opposition to Commissioner Candidates--Polls Close at Sundown

Indications at noon today in Hendersonville's bi-ennial city election were that voters favored retention of the city water commission by a large majority.

This was the only question or contest up for decision, Mayor A. V. Edwards and three members of the board of city commissioners being unopposed for re-election. A fourth city board candidate, W. M. Sherard, former mayor, also was unopposed.

Almost 300 qualified voters had cast their ballots at noon, with the prospect that the number would be more than doubled by the time the polls close at sundown tonight. In view of an apparent lack of interest before election day, this was regarded as a good showing, there being perhaps 1500 qualified voters inside the city limits. All voting was being done at the city hall.

Each voter was given two ballots, one bearing the names of candidates on the Democratic city ticket and the other asking the voter whether he favored or opposed abolishing the city water commission. The question was passed to voters by a legislative act enacted two years ago after efforts had been made in the legislature to abolish the commission and charge the city commission with the administration of the water system.

While there was said to be considerable "underground" sentiment in favor of the change, principally in the interest of economy, observers said it failed to crystallize and that the water commission would be retained by a majority of perhaps four or five to one. Present members of the water board are J. W. Bailey, Dr. W. R. Kirk and Z. C. Byers, with J. H. Lampley as manager.