Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1904-10-03
PUBLIC
OWNERSHIP
AT SALEM
Means Establishing
Another Important
Factory
Would Harm No Present In.
tereSt or Interfere With
any Present Contracts

Laying aside all personal or selfish
interest in the discussion of this mat.
ter, what has any one to lose by adopt.
ing the policy of public ownership of
an electric light or water plant at Sa.
lem7
AS matter of practical application
to the water supply question, the water
company has a franchise for something
like half million years, and unless
the city bought them out they could
not be disturbed.
AS it would take year or more to
get title, to install a plant, and get to
making lights, and the city must have
light in the meantime. contract will
have to be made with the Salem electric
corporation.
No one will object to the present
electric company making contract
with the city for from one to five
years at reasonable rates, so that com.
pany has nothing to lose by discussion
or action.
But the present city administration
will not be warranted in paying any
higher rate per month for as good
lights than the Citizens council paid
for are lights.
The Republican city government
cannot afford to pay 1925 or $3.50 for
arc lights that the Citizens administra-
tion got for 1895, and is getting now
for that rate. There is a city election
coming.
Now take the proposition to buy the
North Mill creek plant against which
few persons seem opposed. What
does it all amount TOT Mr.. Wilcox
offered that property to the city for
$4,000.
He had perfect right to do that
under the resolution of the city coun.
ell. He wrote to the mayor Offering
to sell it to the city There is no
crime in that, and, Furthermore, good
business men say it is good bargain.
Ii is well-known that linen factory
is trying to locate here at Salem, and
has been trying to get money raised to
buy that property. will they succeeds :
1t is doubtful if Salem or Portland cap.
ital will help.
The Journal is informed that if the
big brick mill building can be secured
for linen factory, it is just what
they want, and that they will pay
$1,000 per year rental for it with some
power.
Mr.. Wilcox offers to take pay in four
per cent bonds, and the rent of the lin
en- mill would pay that interest, and
the city would not be out cent. A
linen mill would not shake that build.
ing TO pieces, as one of the orators
against public ownership seemed to
fear.
With public ownership of that water
power the establishment of linen mill
at Salem would be assured. The city
would not be out dollar, and would
own valuable water power, two
buildings and 20 acres of land, and the
riparian rights for about mile OF
water ditch Would that be a misfor-
tune TO the city3
Those who say there is not a good
water power there are not we'll in.
formed. The fact is there are three
water powers on North Mill creek, just
as there are on South Mill creek, and
perhaps more.
The city Of Salem is supplied with
some Of the best water powers in the
state, and ii is great misfortune that
they are not all usefully employed.
II any corporation had 800 TO 1000
horse power of any kind lying idle and
unused it would not be considered good
business policy. II is very bad bust
ness policy TO allow that water power
10 go unused year in and year out.
The South Mill creek water powers
develop 500 TO 900 horse power, and
there is l6-foot fall at the -four
mill. The lower mill on the North
creek has 34.foot fall aud the same
how Of water Has II no powers
II the city bought the Wilcox prop
erty, and could secure another industry
TO be established here and good per
petual water power left, besides 20 acres
OF real estate through the city, IL
would have more for the money than
il has 10 show now for what is refer
red 20 a. its 100000 debt Let no