St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1907-07-17

present necessity was discov-
ered Since that time the profits accru-
ing and paid into the city treasury have
amounted to the enormous total of $12.-
100000. The plant as it stands today
constitutes an asset having a market
value of more than $13,000,000. Gas
"a furnished not only to citizens of
Manchester, but to 10000 customers
outside the corporate limits. The rate
charged Is 60 cents a thousand cubic
feet, and the net profit for the last fis-
cal year was $1,352,925. OF this sum
S4SS,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 reduced rate of
4S 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 2,200 men, and their wages have
been steadily increased in recent years.
After an experiment lasting nearly
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 its 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 consider
ably 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 $2S000 The city was then charging
6SS pence unit for the current gener-
ated, but has gradually reduced this to
26S In the meantime its plant has
been extended until 1t represents an ex-
penditure of $S,50O,OOO The gross prof
It's last year were $4,000, and after
meeting interest, sinking fund and 9TH
er fixed charges there remained 1000,
which was placed to the credit Of the
reserve.
The enterprise is not yet on perma-
nent basis for the reason that 1t is an
nually expanding vast amounts for i'm
provements and extensions, but even
during this period it has managed to
reduce its debt, increase its surplus and
pay 100000 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. l am not aware of what
would be the situation in the event OF
a 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-
tingency has ever arisen, so far as am
informed
1t 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 excep-
ton that every bonded obligation has
been met, that proper amount has
been set aside for sinking funds, that
In large majority of instances liberal
allowances have been made for depre-
citation and that in every city visited or
of which l have reports the tax rate
has been reduced rather than raised as
result of participation in public enter
prises designed to yield profits
There is small reason for potter's
field in Manchester. The city main
tains and manages at cost three large
and beautiful cemeteries, having to-
tai area of 300 acres. The charges for
1nterment vary according to the size
OF the plot and location and range from
$1.25 for a 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 at reasonable
prices headstones and monuments. For
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 payment of go
grave may be thus kept in perpetuity.
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
out 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..