The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-04-01
PUBLIC UTILITY IDEA
CROWS IN MANY CITIES
Other Cities Than Duluth I'M
bued With Municipal Own
ership Idea.
Foreign Cities Stand First
While Western Towns
are Progressing.

Duluth is not the only city on the
map that is turning it's attention to
the question Of the public ownership
of public service corporations. 1t is
not the only city that is obliged to
struggle against some Of it's most
prominent citizens to secure control Of
its franchises.
In our own neighborhood there are
number Of small towns that are CIV
ing practical demonstrations OF the
success of public ownership. Two
Harbors, for instance, is one of those
progressive towns to which we may
turn our attention with profit.
Over in England, where they are
getting quite ancient on the public
ownership question, they are making
their public utilities pay the operating
expenses Of the whole city government.
The city Of Hull, England, has set
aside, out Of the profits Of the num-
icipal tramways for the past year, the
sum Of 100000 for the reduction Of
the tax rate. The profit Of the water
works has also enabled the city to use
$4,000 from that department for the
same purpose.
The Sunderland municipal tramways'
annual report shows gross receipts for
the year of $325,010. and working ex-
pense of $222,405. The gross profit,
$122,505, was used for paying interest,
$46, 1856; depreciation. renewal, and sink
ing fund, $72,716, and incidentals.
According to a British parliamentary
return, issued February "a, there were
In the United Kingdom on June 30 last
1889 miles Of tramway and light rail-
way, Of which 1,462 miles were work.
ed by electricity, 108 by steam, 80 by
cable, by gas motors, and 235 by
horses. Of this mileage, more than 70
per cent-1,147 miles-belongs to the
municipal and other local authorities,
and 692 miles to companies. In 1873
the length of lines in Great Britain
was only 269 miles. The capital ex-
penditure has risen from $21 ,036, ,750 in
that year to $232, PSI, ,22o in 1904. The
number Of passengers carried has in
creased in the same perior from 146
millions to 1879 millions, and the net
receipts from $1,154,7S0 to $14,560, $50.
During the past year the capital ex-
penditure for the total ~ mileage was
$4,000 per mile. (Our street railways
are capitalized at about $4,000 per
mile.) The working expense was 66.15
per cent Of the gross receipts; the num-
Der Of passengers per car mile, 923;
and the average fare 2.22 cents.
The people Of West Seattle have not
only the distinction Of operating the
only municipal street railway in this
country, but they are now reaping the
practical advantages Of municipal ow-
nership Of public service. The Seattle
Commonwealth says that while former
ly a fare of five cents was paid for a
ride on the ferrw from Seattle to West
Seattle, now the ride on the ferry and
ON the municipal street car may be had
for five cents. Formerly, the people
of West Seattle were glad to get the
ride on the ferry and walk up the hill
to their homes. The Commonwealth
concludes: 1.-THE public benefits of
municipal ownership Of street railways
is patent to every thinking man.
Los Angeles is about to construct a
municipal garbage crematory. A spec
ial committee of the city council. with
a committee from the local chamber
Of commerce and the municipal league
has just reported favorably upon the
matter, and bids will be Immediately
called for. What an example to San
Francisco! In this city our various
Chambers" associations" and other
public bodies are controlled by the pub
lie service corporations. and none Of
them would dare to advocate munich
pal ownership OF anything. The indi-
vidual who doe so is notified by his
friends that he will injure his busi-
ness. The writer has approached
leading" citizens on this subject, and
nearly all have said that while they ap-
prove Of municipal ownership they cam
not take an active part in it's advo-
cacy because they would be injured
in their business How long will this
cowardice of our citizens continue?
When they find other cities furnishing
pure water, genuine gas, decent elec-
trio light, and many other public ser
vices, at such q low cost that their
manufacturers ca noutbid them. they
will wake up. But it will then be too
late. The trade of the city will be
lost. Even today many large manufac-
turers find the heavy water and other
charges of the public utility companies
Of this city too heavy a burden for
their business, and locate their estab-
lishments elsewhere
Los Angeles has been operating it's
municipal waterworks for three years.
During that time, water rates have
been reduced, and the works have been
extensively improved without any ex-
pense to the taxpayers. Last year, the
city purchased the plant of the only
opposition company. Bonds to the a.
mount OF $150,000 have just been sold,
and a large reservoir will be construct
ed with the money received.
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