The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-04-12
WEDNESDAY, April u, 1899.
THE UTOPIA IS A LONG WAY OFF

Tom l.. Johnston, the street car mag
nate, says: 1.-THE time is going to come
when the people will ride free on the
street cars run and operated by "a mu-
nicipality, the same as they are now
getting their letters delivered"
And we may some day come to the
modern Utopia, hut it is Il long way OIL
There is no doubt that the people are
growing more and more in favor of pub
lie ownership of water, light and cars IN
order that these necessities of city life
may be furnished the people at the low
est possible cost. but it is going to be
long time before the people wall win, and
then it be only after a long tdn stub
born fight.
The gas works, water companies and
street car companies are as rule stock
ed at much more than it would cost to
build the roads. Much of that stock is
in the hands off men and Women who
have purchased the stock. assinvestments
and 1whe had aso hand iii watering the
Stock. They are estitled to considera-
ton. The whole matter is attended
with perplexing problems.
The Michigan Legislature has passed
a law permitting the city of Detroit to
buy the street railroads and commits
SIGN with Governor Pingree at its head,
has been appointed to effect the sale
Right ON the threshold of the negotla-
tions three facts are established winch
make it difficult for the city and the
owners of the street car system to agree
upon the price. They are:
/. There are outstanding bonds to
the amount of $11 100000 on the sys-
TEN.
.. Appraisers, appointed by Coy. Pin
gree. have ascertained that the cost OF
the roads was SO, 100000.
3. The system could be built now at
cost of only $5,000,0O0.
How much ought the city to pay for
the system under this state of affairs!
What is equitable to the bondholders!
10 tae tax-payers? The bonds are in the
hands. let us say, of innocent purchas-
ers for value They had nothing to do
with watering the stock The fellows
who did the watering would not proba-
bIy he willing to sell the roads df the
water was all to be squeezed out and
they were to get only the cost of the
roads. They would certainly go to the
courts before they would part with it ut
the sum that would be required now to
put in a new system
While we firmly believe that municipal
ownership of water, lights and street
cars is wise. feasible and advantageous.
and do not doubt its ultimate triumph,
# VIII not succeed in a year or decade
everywhere. 1t will take time. All the
smaller cities that have not voted long
term franchises for either of these pub
Ec necessities ought to put them in at
hhe expense of the. municipality, and
all other cities ought to agitate such own
ership and absorption as Will be just
alike TO the owners anu the taxpayers
as soon as they can be obtained.
Raleigh ought to own its own water
system first. Under the contract with
the water company it has the right to
br,y at a sum to be- fixed by an appraise-
pnent. The new progressive Mayor OF
the city declared himself before the nom
inatiop in favor of city ownership. The
new hoard of aldermen ought to have al
ADVERTISEMENT of the system and make
arrangements for its purchase Mt its true
value. Since the Mayors letter in fayoj
of purchase there has been some ris,
i'm the stock. Parties who buy at the 1as'
bly with the knowledge that the city cal
purchase ut it's option at the real value
To be ascertained by appraisers. Th'
sooner Raleigh owns its water the bet
fer II will be for all concerned. The ''un
earnedincrement" that is sure to come
from the growth of the city ought to be
long 10 the municipality and be share,
bv adj the people rather than be monopo