The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1907-07-18
ON PUBLIC
UTILITIES
CONTINUED from Page Tnree.)

tions.
I'm the year covered by this i1vestf-
cation, if, in the city of Birmingham,
the Newcastle price of gas had pre-
vailed, h consumers would have
been fb262, 600 better off; if the Shelf
field price had prevailed, the Birming
ham a would have saved
fb~350,900. The amount paid by the
Birmingham gas undertaking into the
common good was I'd SO, S13. So it
seems that this city is playing a los
ing game with its municipal plant;
it is mulcting its gas from
fb250,0O0 to fb350,00O a yea in order
that it may help out the municipal
treasury with a paltry BIC, 600.
In the cas of Manchester, if the
Newcastle price had prevailed, the gas
consumers would have saved tb47, 500
at Sheffield's price they would have
saved fb111,30O. The amount contri-
buted to the city treasury by the gas
business was ID so, 900.
I'm the ease of Leicester, at New
castles price, the would
have saved fb65,2OO while Shefield's
price mad been obtained they would
have saved fb9O, 500. The amount con
tributed by the gas business to the
common good was tb43.466.
Electric Lighting.
The examination of the electric
lighting systems of Great Britain, both
municipal and private, shows, accord
ing to Mr.. Edgar and MIR. Clark, that
municipalities in England, though said
to be much better governed than are
those OF tie United States, are by no
means as well adapted for commercial
operation of an electric lighting plant
as are private companies controlled
by men of average honesty and abili-
ty whose training and initiative are
given fully scope. 1T appears they
add, that SO far as the prices charg-
ed are concerned the system OF NUM-
cipal ownership and operation of cleo
trio undertakings in England has Civ
Ell its advocates no reaso for feeling
ashamed or elated, but That SO far as
extending the benefits of electric light
and power and SO far as progressive
ness in developing the industry so as
to give the best possible service are
concerned, it has shown itself to be
entirely outclassed by the system of
private operation"
General Comment by Mr.. Edgar and
MIR. Clark.
Messrs. Edgar and Clark in closing
their review summarize their opinions
as follows:
"The efforts of the National Civic
Federation have resulted in a Com
mission of Americans, whose first il
terest in this Investigation, as in all
else, is to do what they may to pre-
serve and continue the American fdea
and American Institutions, believing
ina the high state of civilization and
of prosperity in America Justify the
American idea and the American me-
thod, and place the burden of proof
heavily upon those who would say
another idea and another method
would result in improvement in the
condition of the people.
Believing this to be the thought
and intent of the membership of the
Commission and of the Committee
subordinate to it, we still believe that
there are ills in the American body
pont1c that may be remedied or cured
We believe that the remedy should be
applied and the cure effected without
any unnecessary departure from the
American idea and the American sys-
tenn. We believe that the framework
upon which may be built purity of ad-
m1nlstratlon and the highest possible
GOOD OF the citizens is in existence
with us, M that it is not necessary
in the effort to cure the ills from
the body polite may be suffer-
ing, to destroy that body. We submit |
that, living in a land where peace and
prosperity are the common lot. we
must be cry cautious of change. This |
does not mean that where abuses are
to exist they should not be
promptly and mercilessly eradicated. |
but it does mean that changes in sys-l
should be undertaken only after
conclusive proof that sucn changes
Will result in lettering the condition
Of the individual We had better bear
the relatively few ills we have than
ourselves to unknown condi-i
that may bring in their rain /
greater ills of which we do not know.
"Our investigation has determined
with certainty many heretofore moot
ed questions. 1t indicates the probab-
ly correct answers TO other mooted
questions. Where the facts are clear
and the conclusion evident our task
has been to summarize and Indicate. !
Where there is remaining uncertainty
as to facts, and conclusions are not
evident we have made an effo to de-
termine the probabilities. This has re
SUI ed in arguments based on sucn
facts as our investigators have record
ed, and on our own experience as OPP
and observers.
I'VE believe no intelligent reader