The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-27

Recorder Connell some few weeks ago
sent out a number of letters to cities
of population ranging from 10000 to
100000, asking for information as to
their water supply--cost of plant, rates
charged, gross receipts, expenditures,
etc.
A number of replies have been re-
ceived by him, but "a close analysis of
these does not warrant the drawing of
any particular conclusion as regarding
the advantage or disadvantage of
some cities show municipal ownership
to be a splendid thing. and the figures
from other cities are not at all satisfy
ing. 1t would seem that local condi-
tions enter largely into the question
The city of Syracuse, N. Y, which
has a population of 100000, or G,000 more
than Scranton. owns it's own water
works, having paid total of $4,000
for them. The gross receipts per year
average $250,OO0 while the expenditures,
$247, 900 last year, leaving net profit of
$4,000 The rates for a single family
are S., for water closets. $5, and for
bathtubs, 81. The rates charged by the
Scranton Gas and Water company in
this city at present are $S for single
family's3 for bathtubs and $3 for water
closets.
In Reading, with population of 49,
a distinct success. The water plant has
cost the city $1,S79,S32 The gross re-
ceipts are $175,OOO and the running ex-
penses and interest charges, 100000,
leaving a profit of 81, 900 for last year
The rates are far cheaper than those
in this city, water being furnished to
dwellings for $3.50. Bathtubs are $3.50
each and water closets, 50. so each
ROCHESTER'S EXPERIENCE.
In Rochester, N. Y, population 1872
COS, municipal ownership appears to be
a dark and dismal failure just at pres
ent. The plant cost $7,465.204. The gross
receipts last year We're 100000 and the
expenses $439,00O leaving deficit of
$4,000 to be met.
The city of Milwaukee, population
2S5,OoO, is apparently coming money on
it's water system. The plant was ac-
quired for $2,O0O,0O0. The gross receipts
amounted to 100000 last year and the
running expenses including interest
charges to only s179,4s5. leaving a net
profit of S32O00O. The bonds for the
plant were issued in 1876 so that they
have now been virtually all redeemed
and the interest item reduced to COM
paritive insignificance The rate
charged is six cents per 1000 gallons to
large and small consumers.
The municipal water plant in Provi-
dence, r. l., population 10000, is a
paying establishment but the rates are
considerably higher than they are in
this city. The plant was acquired in
1871 and cost $6,47O,O93. The gross re-
ceipts last year were $57S,S69 and the
expenses, including interest, s2O2,OO0.
leaving a net profit of $316,OOO. The
rates for one faucet in dwelling are
Sc and for each additional faucet So
Bath tubs are S. each and water clos
cts S. each. The rate to large con-
sumers is ten cents per 100 gallons up
to 5000 year and one and one half
cents over that sum.
Allegheny City. population $4,000,
owns it's own water plant but had
deficit of $4,000 to meet last year. For
a six room house the charge is $1025,
and for houses with a larger number
of rooms $1.50 per each additional room.
Water closets are assessed at from So
to $40 according to location. These rates
are excessively high as compared with
local rates.
AT GRAND RAPIDS.