The log cabin Democrat., 1907-02-07

have been corrupt and the service bad, yet only few weeks ago chance would have been given to oust corrupt officials and in the future Little Rock could have de pended on having pure water supply. But as matters were the citizens could do noshing save to re-elect Mayor Lemon. Mayor Lemon can do very little at present but in spite of all obstacles, he is trying to oust the Home Water Go. Here is what he says:
 "We are endeavoring to pur- chase the entire property of the Home Water Company, if it can be had at its value. We propose to make it live up to its contract if we cannot purchase its property. If there is any public utility that city should have, and that reas enable, prudent business admins tration could manage a d finance, supply of water is certainly the first public utility that ought to be owned and operated by the city. If the city can purchase this water companys property at its fair value, my opinion is the city can operate same, pay the indebted ness incurred in the purchase from the receipts from water service and at the same time reduce the water charges for the private consumer.
 "The citizens of Little Rock may we'll congratulate themselves both on the electric light plant and the manner in which 1t is operated, it being now the only public utili- ty owned by the city, and for the efficiency and economy in its man. agement it will compare to advan tage with any other electric plant in any city in the United States. The city can doubtless do the same with its water supply, and sooner or later the city of Little Rock will, in spite of it's open and secret foes, own and operate its water supply to the saving and satisfac ton and health of it's citizens. y
 The original cost of the light plant in Conway was S8, 500. It is now valued at something like SI7, ,ooo. resent there is five mill tax on real estate property. This tax now yields an income of S1Ioo per year. This SIIoo is used to pay on the original cost, SS, 500. It is estimated that with in two years, at the outside, this indebtedness will be paid off and the five mill tax will be dispensed with. The rates for incandescent lights here now are no higher than or if as high as the rates in other cities. The service is very ef- ficient and there is little complaint from consumers. There has been and is yet enough profit to justify the improvement of the equipment of the plant and also to furnish S2 ,ooo worth of street lamps annu- ally free of charge. In thus own ing her light plant, Conway has great advantage over many cities, as great benefits will result from the consolidation of the light plant and of the water system.
 Speaking of the low cost of water and light in Dunkirk, the mayor of that city says: "Our city owns both it's water and light plants and the great saving comes from the city's owning and operating both The same engineers, fremen, and superintendent operate both plants and the same boiler power is used. So in Aurora, Batavia, Paris, La Sale and Bloomington, Ill.,, Col umbus, Goshen and Martinsville Ind, Marshalltown, Iowa and Portsmouth, Ohio.'
 Speaking of waterworks, MT Baker says "Under municipal ownership. a harmonious develop ment of this and other public works is possible Water mains may be laid before streets are paved, thus saving the damage and expense of tearing up good pay ements to lay water pipes. The h alth and police departments may easily work with the water depart ment for the public good instead of the water company being con tinually fearful lest the health board declare its water unSanitarv and being too often ready to resist efforts to secure a better supply" "
 We have shown that Conway should own her waterworks,
 I. The trend of cities is toward municipal ownership.
 2. Less political corruption un