The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-07-22

physical value whenever vote of the
! people shall call for it. Such COM
| pany is then in position to take over
existing, expiring grants of the old
companies, as their franchises run
cut, and to do so under favorable terms
to the city. Municipalities having
successful waterworks plants could
we'll afford to establish municipal cleo
trio lighting plants in connection
Herewith for both street and arc light
ing. In such cases it would be fair to
buy out the old companies at their fair
physical value plus 10 or. ID per cent.
if they care to sell.
The trouble with existing conditions
of private ownership is that city coun-
ellis and other branches of the city gov
ernment are under such suspicion Of
undue influence that able men of high
character will not accept office there
in, as they will do on hospital, educa-
tional or park boards. Hence the vari-
Gus branches of a city government
become filed up with weak, if not
actually corrupt men. Such men are
not only incompetent or unwilling to
deal properly with monopoly questions,
but are too weak to deal adequately
with other problems, such as schools,
streets, public buildings, parks, etc.,
which are in no way connected with
these monopolies. The utter feeble
ness and amazing incapacity of many
city government is thus accounted
for.
On the other hand, the tendency
under public management, as often
seen in the case of the waterworks, is
more and more to exclude politics
and enlist the sympathy of the taxpay-
er in economical, honest administra-
ton.
When private Management prevails,
as prevail it undoubtedly will in most
places, ands in respect to most mono
polies save wter and electric light, for
some years to come, efficient service and
low charges should be sought by the
community rather than high taxes.
Low charges by these monopolies I'M
prove the standard of living OF the
many and even increase the business
of the companies to such az extent as
to prevent any large fall of profits
with reduction of charge. To make
taxing bodies of gas and street rail
way companies where the alternative
of reducing charges is at hand is
great social blunder. Where, how
ever, as In many cases, there are legal
difficulties in the way of public re-
gulation of charges, it is only fair and
Just to assess these bodies in at
least the same ratio cf the market
value of their securities and their
net earnings as prevails in the case of
city and village real estate and the
estates of orphans in the probate court.
Even a further and special franchise
tax woud be ethically and economical
ly sound. Some State constitutions
now permit this, if once public senti-
merit makes the demand. In most cities
today, however, the tax on the aver
age mans home is far higher than on
the true value as a going concern OF
the lighting and railroad monopolies
that 60 by his door.
Until the people are ready for bust
ness or for merit system of admin
isration of public utilities in public
hands, and until they are willing to
take the time and energy away from
their moneymaking in order to truly
own their own government, about the
bestthat can be hoped for is the secur-
ing for every city such home rule and
such power to regulate and tax these
utilities as has been above suggested.
When that is done, then, to some de-
gree at least, private companies will
be on their good behavior, and will
seek to deserve that continuance Of
nuh1io favor which Would become alb
solutely necessary for their continued
profitable enjoyment of their rights
of the streets.