The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1903-01-02
BETTER LIGHTS IS ALL.

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INDUCED in relative to the city electric
light plant. The people should not
be deceived into espousing any of the
fsllsoies that will possibly he advsnc-
ed by some Of the pcoulistio members
Of the municipal boards aud their sup
porters. They should first understand
the situation, and then form their opin-
ion, for it is . matter that involves
not only public convenience, but pub
lilo funds as we'll.
The duties of public men are to serve
the people, who annually contribute
money they have earned, in exchange
for conveniences and privileges neoes-
sary in the pursuit OF life and hsppi-
ness. The thing that public men have
to first consider is how TO best do this.
Theories are ali right, but facts and
conditions are what people Of this pro-
sale, practical age have to deal with.
Municipal ownership is theory that
has in many cases proved an iridescent
dream. In Paducah the city electric
light plant is striking example of it.
Several years ago the city decided
to establish its own street lighting
plant, which it did. IL was even at
the start inadequate, and did not
give satisfaction. II could have been
equipped with good and sufficient
machinery if the men in office had
known anything about such things,
but it was not. The Democrats in
office started 1t of as they do every
thing else, in manner to show how
little they know about managing
any public utility. 1t was equipped
with second hand lights and bad ma
chinery. The plant has ever since
been q source of constant complaint.
The Democratic papers have been the
loudest in their demands for better
lights, and at last it seemingly has
dswned on the benighted intellects Of
the city officials that better lights are
really necessary. The question is,
how is the city to obtain better lights
When this is answered, the solution
of the whole problem will have been
found.
II is plain that the city light plant.
which now cannot give astisfaotion,
must be so improved that it will. The
whole thing in a nutshell is that eth
err the city must spend money for I'M
provements, or someone else must ;or IL
neither does, the people must continue
to put up with miserable lights. II
the city can devise any way for max
ing the necessary improvements, the
boards should be able without much
delay to determine the fact. II she is
not, the city should devise some other
way for giving the people better lights
until IL can get sufficient money to
again take charge and run the plant.
II IL can now run the plant right the
city should be getting at it; IL it can
not, it should turn it over to some
BODY who can. What the people want
is better lights. 1t is estimated that
the cost will not be less than IS,
to place the plant in the proper con-
dition. One expert machinist says it
will require ss5, 600
At present the city is greatly in
debt. Thousands Of dollars a month
y ,te spent in salaries An effort was
made recently to curtail some Of the
salaries, and fsiled The boards refus
ed to cut down crat snd as most Of
the salaries have $50, been fixed, 1t
is evident that n hnr totrenchment
is to be made it eiil not he made by
cutting down shLui,s
The tax rate as' ar was l.S5, the
highest possihl ~ le wears tax
es had been collIie before the new