The Globe-republican., 1907-02-14
10000 gal. per mo. %
600O0 to 10000 20
Over l2000U 10,

bUUUO gal. per mo. zoe.
60000 to 10000 zoe.
Over 100000 15c.
Minimum, $3.50 per year.
We could enumerate about nine tenths
Of the cities aud towns in he state of Kan
sas that have about these same rates, but
only show these few at this lime as a fair
average of what other cities and towns
are pay ng for water Part of these cities
have mulicipal owpership, We iiod by
a compa cIson of rates, where the water
works ale operated on a business basis
and revenue sufficient TO make the plant
self sustain ing is raised, that the plants
operated by private parties average con-
siderable lower Ia rates than where cities
own and operate their own plants, and
with very lew exceptions the present rate.
or the proposed new rate, in Dodge City
is considerably below the average of
either.
Mr.. Gluck's report "does not favorany
contract with the present water company,
except from year to year" The fallacy
OF such contract to any sound business
man, unbiased ana unparalleled, is seen
at first glance. VIVA; company, corpora.
ton or municipality would make any i'm.
provements, extensions or bet'erments on
such a contract Dodge City is con-
stantly growing and has bright future
ahead OF it, there will soon need to be
several extensions made, additional fire
by dranls furnished, repairs and better.
ments thai will need to come with the
increased growth and prosperity of the
cry Who, we ask you, Mr.. Gluck,
wolld put these in on a one ear con.
tractg
The report goes on to sTate THAT the
city council should give the city chance
to express themselves at the spring cleo
tion upon the proposition Of city owner.
ship" This is such strong bid for the
mayol.hip of Dodge City that it does rot
require answeril g on our part There
are many other sections in this report
that do not even require mention, such as
the one that Dodge City may some time
have three aud four story buildings, and
that fire pressure sufficient to throw
three streams of water Is feet high would
not protect them. There are not very
many four story buildings constructed
that average 10 feet to each floor.
Coming to the question Of comparison
Of rates, why did not Mr.. Glu;k's report
60 further and make full comparison, and
not pick out such items as candy manu-
factory, cigar mandatory, dyeing estab-
Establishments, oyster saloons and other
businesses not represented, and possibly
never will be, in Dodge City. Even with
these few he names, provision Is made for
a low meter rate il the fiat rate is not ac-
ceptable to the consumer.
The representatives of the water COM
pany and the city council have spent
much time and held many meetings dur
Ing the past year discussing the renewal
of the present franchise. All relations
have been of very harmonious nature;
some differences have arisen, but have all
been amicably settled. All dealings have
been fair and open. The water company
opened its books for the inspection Of the
city council and asked them to figure out
any rate they wished that would ray ex-
penses and give TO the company 8 per
cent interest on the investment. The
city council has spent much time and
pains In trying to determine such rate.
Several propositions we're taken up and
discussed at length. Il seemed To be the
general sentiment that what the city
wanted was cheap sprinkling rate, 90 AZ
10 enable property owners to beautify
their lawns, raise shade trees, etc. To
meet this demand the meter rates were
figured very low, the water COMPANY
practically agreeing to furnish water
used 10 excess iof 10000 gallons pei
month at actual cost or pumping-that 10
10 cents per 1000 gallons.
4 II it's The desire Of the city that thes,
rates be raised and the minimum low
cred, OF that rates for FIRE protection b
raised and other rates lowered, we stsnt
ready at any time to accept such rates