Morning journal and courier., 1881-10-29
Price Four Cents
neaning that it is not satisfactory to the cit

meaning that it is not satisfactory to the cit izsns.
 In Peoria, IL, city of about 3O,OGo in. habitants, the waterworks are owned by the city. The party writing from there answers the question ''Yes," but is brave enough to say this; "A private corporation al ways manage cheaper than 8 city in my opin 1on." Now this speaks volumes when we consider the restraints these officials are un- der.
 The fact is, all these men to whom the committee wrote for information are the very parties who manage their city affairs Therefore they are not going to say anything that will convict themselves of mismanaee1 ment, or cast any reflections upon their abili- ty as executive officers, by saying that the people are not satisfied with their manage ment. They are not competent witnesses in the case. Any court of justice would rule that such testimony is inadmissible, owing to their being interested parties. Even in Plttsburg, where, as you see, the rate is enormous, they answer t'Yes," which evi- :dently does not voice the sentiment of the people on the subject.
 The reason why cities take hold of this matter IS that in most cases it is 8 necessity In order to have the water at all. It is im- possible to get the citizens to subscribe to the capital stock in sufficiently large amounts to make the enterprise success. Therefore the city must do it or go without water Here we are in no such strait. We have respon- slble company furnishing us with an abun- dance of excellent water at low rates What more do we want? Many cities that are burdened with large water debt would re- joice If they were as fortunate as New Haven in this respect.
 In regard to the question of management expenses. There are some, perhaps not but few, well informed persons, however, who think that the city can manage as economi- cally as company.
 Again we quote from the same pamphlet: Manchester, N. H., population, g, G30; re- celpts for water, $500 works owned by the city; cost of management or current ex- penses, 16S per cent. of the receipts Port land, Me-, a city near by with a population just about the same, 33,Sl0; receipts for water, $1o0, ,000; works owned by private company; current expenses 10 per cent.
 Albany, New York population, 91, 900: re- ceipts for water, $166, GOO; works owned by the city; current expenses, g 2-5 per cent
 Louisville, Ky, population, 123, 645-lar- ger than Albany; receipts for water, $780, 900 works owned by a private company current expenses, 253 per cent.
 Holyoke, Mass, population, 21,851; re- ceipts for water, $40, GOO; works owned by the city :; current expenses, 80 per cent.
 Auburn New York, population, 21,92+- just about the size of Holyoke !; receipts for water the same, $40, 1000; works owned by private company; current expenses, per cent.
 We could go on giving more of these illus trations from the pamphlet, but it would take too much space in your columns. Enough is given to show that in cities of about the same size the cost of management by the city is far greater than when run by a private company.
 Let us avoid high rates for water, conse- 4uent upon city management, and increased taxes, by voting Against the Purchase"
 ENTERPRISE