Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1907-03-26
SOME MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP FACTc
Letters From Various Mayors Over the Country Say the Plan Has Proven Financially successful-some Facts and Figures Furnished by Men Who Have Directed Municipal Ownership Affairs

The mayor of Montgomery, Ala, writes: The waterworks plant was purchased by the city at cost of $500, 900, since which time S2O0,0O0 has been expended for the purpose of extending the sys- tenn. In it's present condition 1t comprises eighty miles of mains with sufficient pumping and reservoir capacity. No charge is mde for any water used by the cty. The waterworks system is considered as one of tie most val uable assets of the city, and is quite a source of saving to the city, as well as one of revenue"
 The mayor of Pensacola, Fla, writes: We do not own our water works at the present time, but there is no reason why a municipal plant properly operated should not prove paying investment as we'll as for private corporation. For many years I have been of the opinion, from careful observation and study, that municipal owner ship of municipal utilities properly managed would obviate the neces- sity of municipal taxation
 The mayor of Portland, Me, writes: Portland does not own or operate it's water plant. There is now a bill penang before the sen ate, which, if passed, will au- thorize the city to take over it's waterworks system here.'
 The board of water commission CTS of = Saginaw, Mich., writes: "The city of Saginaw has operated it's waterworks since 1872. While our two pumping stations are at this time in very bad condition, and in need of thorough rejuvenation, and while the quality of water, which has been taken from the Sag inaw river, is unsatisfactory, and operates very largely to diminish revenue which would otherwise be available, notwithstanding all of these conditions, the entire water department at the present time is paying all maintenance, operating and interest charges from revenue and making a surplus of about $1O,OOO per annum, besides fur nishing water for char ble and public purposes free, which r. pur- chased from a private corporation at the average price paid other municipalities in the United States would cost something over $50,00O per annum'.
 The mayor of St. Joseph, Mo-, writes: .This city does not own or operate it's waterworks, and l am exceedingly sorry to so impart to you. We do own and operate our electric light plant. by which all our streets are lighted, and it is a great saving with the best of re- suits. from which we would not change upon any consideration"
 The mayor of Springfield, Ill.,, writes: II regard municipal owner ship of the water plant as possessing all the advantages. In Springfield, for instance, we supply the ceme- teries, schools, charitable institu- tions state fair and camp grounds with free water; and in addition to this the city pays nothing for hydrants or for water used in street washing, sprinkling and other purposes. Our income is abolt $1OO,OOO per annum and constantly growing and yields a fair profit, which helds to carry on the city government, besides paying for all extensions and betterments in the way of water mains and meters."
 The mayor of Springfield, Mass. writes: ''The city of Springfield owns it's water plant and receives large revenue therefrom, the estimated income last year being $14O,0OO."
 The mayor of Tampa, Fla, writes: "I beg to state that Tampa does not own her waterworks. We are making probably the same fight that you are for municipal owner ship. I fully believe that every city should own it's own water works and lighting plants