The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-04-29
PUBLIC OWNERSHIP. IN
ENGLAND IS POPULAR
Wonderful Progress is Made
With Municipal Owner
ship in Manchester.
City Is Moving Step by Step
Towards Ultimate Munich
pal Socialism.

Manchester has owned it's gas works
ever since 1907, which was not long
after this present necessity was dis
covered. Since that time the profits
accruing and paid into the city treasury
have amounted to the enormous total
of $12,So0,o0O. The plant as it stands
today constitutes an asset having
market value of more than $13,0O0,0 900.
Gas is furnished not only to citizens Of
Manchester, but to 10000 customers
outside the corporate limits. The rate
charged Is so cents a. thousand cubic
feet, and the net profit for the last f1s-
cal year was $1,362,925. OF this SUM
$4SS,500 was paid into the city treas
ury IN the form Of taxes and g, direct
contribution, and the balance was de-
voted to the sinking fund or set aside
IN the contingent fund. The profits
have become SO large that the city
has decided to discontinue the charges
made for the use Of heaters and rang
es and give them to customers rent
free.
For motor power a reduced rate of
4S cents a thousand is charged, and
gas Is used for this purpose In the
running of 1890 engines. Employed In
the Manchester gas department is an
army Of 1900 men, and their wages
have been steadily increased in recent
years. After an experiment lasting
nearly century it must be conceded
that the public ownership Of gas pro-
duction In Manchester shows all the
earn,arks 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 a
large scale. making an Investment con-
siderably in excess OF 100000. The first
year Of operation showed loss OF
about $1,000, but the following year
found a profit to its credit amounting
to $4,000. The city was then charging
6.ss pence unit for the current gener-
ated, but has gradually reduced this to
2.6S. In the meantime it's plant has
been extended until it represents an ex-
penditure Of $S.500,0o0. The gross prof.
Its last year were $420, 900, and after
meeting interest. sinking fund and 9TH
er fixed charges there remained $41, 000,-
which was placed to the credit OF the
reserve.
The enterprise is not yet on a perma-
pent basis for the reason that it is an
nually expanding vast amounts for i'm
provements and extensions, but even
during this period it has managed to
reduce it's debt, increase it's surplus and
pay $26o,0o6 toward the relief of rates.
1t 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. I am not aware Of what
would be the situation in the event Of
failure of one Of these enterprises,
but presume that the city would as
sumo responsibility for. the payment of
the bonds and liabilities. No such con-
ttngency has ever arisen, so far as am
informed.
It was my privilege to examine the
official accounts and statements Of the
reproductive undertakings in the lead
Ing cities Of Great Britain, and they
unquestionably show without an ex-
ception that every bonded obligation
has been met, that a proper amount
has been set aside for sinking funds,
that in large majority Of instances
liberal allowances have been made for
depreciation and that in every city Wis
tied or of which I have reports the
tax rate has been reduced rather than
raised as a result Of participation in
public enterprises designed to yield
profits.
There is small reason for a potter's
field in Manchester. The city MAIN
ta1ns and manages at cost three large
and beautiful cemeteries, having a to-
tai area Of 220 acres. The charges for
interment vary according to the size
Of the plot and location and range
from 1925 for child under one month
old to $50 for selected private graves.
These prices include all fees, including,
II desired, the services Of a clergyman.
The city also furnishes Mt reasonable
prices headstones and monuments. For
a charge of $1.25 annually the graves
are kept neatly in turf, and for
slight additional charge flowers are
planted and cared for By the pay
ment Of $25 grave may be thus kept
in Derpetuity.
The Importance Of this institution will
be- realized when it is stated that the
number Of interments last year ex-
ceeded 5000. There are private GEM
eteries In Manchester with more pre-
tentious vaults, tombs and monuments,
but none is kept in better order or has
more ideal natural surroundings. The
rates are changed from time to time
SO as to make these resting places Of
the dead self sustaining.
Manchester has expended nearly ST.
100000 on Its baths and washhouses
These are in charge of J. Derbyside,
and his management of the complicat-
ed system is excellent. He took jus
tifiable pride in escorting me through
the establishment on Osborne street.
While there 500 boys from neighbor-
ing training school came trooping in,
and it was a lively sight to watch
thouo 1iarovt IN ho