The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1898-02-18
FOR WATER WORKS.
A Taxpayer Gives an interesting List OF
Arguments In Favor OF Them and an
Electric Light Plant.

Y
Arguments In Favor OF Them and an
Electric Light Plant.
To The Yale Exposltor;-
Much interest is now being taken in
Waterworks. Mac Walker, formerly
of Port Huron, but now of Fenton,
has made map of the village, investi-
gated as to the chances for water sup
ply, and has furnished the general
details for a good system of water
works, entirely free
There is no question but waterworks
would. greatly add to the value of prop
erty and the health and comfort of our
citizens. In addition to this, a system
can be furnished and hydrants so To-
Gated as to furnish fire protection for
every building in the village. This
will reduce the rate of insurance from
20 to 20 per cent which will go long
way to reduce any increase in taxes
But, while this is true, il is also un-
doubtedly true that there will not be
enough water used to pay interest on
the bonds, the fuel, labor, and necessary
running expenses 1t is more than
likely that there would be a deficiency
of several hundred dollars every year,
which would have to be made up by
general taxation, and this would furn-
ish no revenue to pay Off maturing
bonds.
We find that Chief Factory Inspector
HolbrOok. in his recent report, states
that of 6S waterworks plants in vii
lages, all but q are owned and operated
by the municipalities, and that the rate
of service is much cheaper than in
cases where they are owned by private
individuals or companies. lie also finds
that II electric light plants IN villages
are owned by the municipalities them
selves. and that municipal ownership
has proven most satisfactory and ben
efcial, as well as economical 1t is
also ascertained that wuere these two
are run together there is great saving
One building will cover both plants.
One boiler will furnish power for both
Two men are required TO run one, and
two meu can run both.
At Oxford the electric light plant is
owned by the village and ru in con-
lection with the waterworks plant.
Last year it paid all running expenses,
furnished 23-2,OOO cand power arc
lights for the streets absolutely free,
and produced a clear profit of 1856 u0
The interest on their bonds was $o35.3
After paying this from net profits they
had left balance of $3.50 70, to apply
upon the principal of the bonds or to
place in sinking fund Oxford has a
population of l035, Yale, 1923.
Judging from the experiences of
other villages we can run the two
plants together and make them pay.
If there be deficiency in the running
of Waterworks, it will be but short
time before it will be more than made
up from the surplus moneys of the
electric light plant.
We also suggest the necessity
for system of drainage in connection
with waterworks. This will be most
imperative. In order to provide the
entire system and put it in running
order it will necessitate an outlay of
about $4,000. This amount can be
obtained at about AZ per cent. A very
large portion of this amount would be
expended among our own citizens for
labor and materials. There need be no
squandering of money, and if the mat
ter be placed in the hands of careful
and competent business men, as it un-
doubtedly will be if we invest, there is
no doubt that we shall have far
better village and that our trade and
influence will be greatly increased and
extended, in addition to the health,
comfort and protection of property
derived from waterworks, and the con-
venience and benefits from electric
lights and good sewerage system. If
the payment of bonds be spread over
period of 10 to 20 years, at the option
of the village, and the plants them
selves continue to pay their interest, as.
they undoubtedly will, and the village
grows in wealth and population, there
need be no danger whatever of our
people being burdened with increased
taxes on account of these improve
ments.
1t would seem that these facts are
worthy the careful consideration of
every citizen. A Tax Payer.