Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-05-23
Z ANCHEsTER has owned It's
gas works ever since 1907,
which was not long after this
present necessity was diScOV


|" gas works ever since 1907,
i which was not long after this
present necessity was discov-
cred. Since that time the profits accru-
Ing and paid into the city treasury have
to the enormous total Of $12,-
100000. The plant as it stands today |
an asset having market
value Of more than $18,000,0O0. Gas
Is furnished not only to citizens of |
Manchester, but to 10000 customers |
outside the corporate limits. The rate
charged is GO cents thousand cubic |
feet, and the net profit for the last As
cal year was SID b25. OF this sum
$4SS, 500 was paid into the city treasury
in the form Of taxes and direct con-
tribution, and the balance was devoted
to the sinking fund or set aside In the
contingent fund. The profits have be-
come SO large that the city has decided
to discontinue the charges made for the
use Of heaters and ranges and give
them to customers rent free.
For motor power a reduced rate Of
46 cents thousand is charged, and gas
is used for this purpose in the running
Of 1920 engines. Employed in the
Manchester gas department is an army
Of 1900 men, and their wages have
been steadily increased In recent years.
After ON experiment lasting nearly q
century 1t must be conceded that the
public ownership Of gas production In
Manchester shows all the earmarks Of
success.
Manchester supplies electric light and
power not only to it's citizens, but also
to neighboring towns and villages. The
city embarked on this venture In 1893
on what was then considered large
scale, making an Investment consider
ably in excess Of 100000. The first
year of operation showed loss Of
about $1,000, but the following year
found profit to its credit amounting
to $4,000. The city was then charging
b.S9 pence unit for the current gener-
ated, but has gradually reduced this to
2.6S. In the meantime its plant has
been extended until it represents an ex-
penditure of sabo0,0oo. The gross prof
its last year were $4,000, and aftsr
meeting interest, sinking fund and 9TH
or fixed charges there remained al, 900,
which was placed to the credit Of the
reserve.
The enterprise ia not yet on a perma-
nent basis for the reason that 1t IL an
nnally expanding vast amounts for I'm.
provements and extensions, but even
during this period It has managed to
reduce tn debt, increase It's surplus and
pay $3.50, 600 toward the relief Of rates.
It should be kept In mind that none
OF these enterprises is promoted or in
any way sustained by money raised
from taxation. The council committee
in charge Of them borrows the required
money in the open market and goes
ahead with extensions and improve
ments utterly Independent Of the city
treasury. am not aware Of what
would be the situation In the event o,
a failure Of one Of these enterprises
but presume that the city would as
same responsibility for the payment o
the bonds and liabilities. No such con
tngency has ever arisen, 20 far as an
informed.
| 1t was my privilege to examine tn,
official accounts and statements Of tn,
reproductive undertakings in the lead
ing cities of Great Britain, and they
unQuestonably show without an excep
ton that every bonded obligation hal
been met that a proper amount hal
been set aside for sinking funds, tina
IN a large majority Of instances liberia
allowances have been made for depre
citation and that In every city visited o
OF which have reports the tax rat
has been reduced rather than raised a
a result Of participation In public enter
prises designed to yield profits.
There Is small reason for a potter
field in Manchester. The city mair
tatns an0 manages ct cost three larg
ana beautiful cemeteries, having t.
tal area Of 220 acres. The charges 70
Hterment vary according to the siz
I Of the plot and location and range froI
Slips for child under one month Oh
to $50 for selected private graves
These prices include all fees. including
II desired, the services Of Q clergyman
The city also furnishes ut reasonabl
prices headstones and monuments. Fo
charge of s1.25 annually the grave
are kept neatly in turf, and for sligt
additional charge flowers are plante
and cared for. By the payment Of 81
grave may be thus kept in perpetut.
The Importance Of this institution wi
be realized when 1t is Stated that th
number of interments last year g.
ceeded 5000. There are private cen
eteries in Manchester with more pr
tentious vaults, tombs and monument
but none Ia kept In better order or ha
more ideal natural surroundings. Tt
) rates are changed from time to tim
80 as to make these resting places {
the dead self sustaining.
Manchester has expended nearly 81
100000 on its baths and washhouse
Inese are in charge Of j. Derbyside
and his management Of the complicat
cd system is excellent He took just
fable pride in escorting me through