River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-02-27

contract by which the city could
hold the plant as long as it might
desire and have the option of pur-
chasing it at any time it might wish
to do so. The city was to put in the
electrical lighting system, it being
able to bond itself for nearly enough
for this purpose and having some
reserve funds it could properly use.
The amount invested by Messrs.
Haugen and Jensen, acting as
trustees was SIS, 100000, a slight ex-
cess of cost in the power plant be-
ing paid by the city. The invest
ment by the city at the time was at
first little over $4,000, which how
eyer was increased to $40, 900 in a
very short time.
In 1904 we'll was put down at
the new power station, a pump pur-
chased and the pipe lines extended
to the new location, the pumping
being done thereafter by water
power.
In round numbers the city has
paid for matters in connection with
the plants, excluding the amounts
paid by bonds, the sum of $121 100000
This includes all expenses of con-
struction not covered by the bonds,
all payments for interest and taking
up bonds, expenses of operating the
plants, repairs and extensions and
the amounts paid by the city for
machinery ordered for it's customers
which has been repaid to the city
subsequently.
The receipts by the city during
the time from all sources connected
with the operation of the plant, have
been in round numbers $82, 100000.
The difference between expenses as
above and receipts being about
500, 100000. For this sum the city
has had its lights and water for
municipal uses, fire protection or
hydrant rental and the various uses
to which it has put both light and
water.
The water psart began its opera
ton thirteen years ago, the electric
light plant seven years ago.
In addition to the public use of
the products Of it's municipal plants
the city has become the owner to a
large extent of the entire plants. 1t
has purchased the rights of Messrs.
Haugen and Jensen as we'll as those
of Mrs. Winter and Mrs. Lund who
came to the rescue of the city when
it found itself liable to need more
power and put up the lower dam at
the Powells' Falls at q cost of 81 1000
on a similar contract with that of
Messrs. Haugen and Jensen.
The plant is estimated at present
to be worth at least CATER making
a liberal deduction for the wear and
tear) $4,000. The bonded in
debtedness is $2S,500 leaving an
equity in the city Of $40, 500. Hence
as the city has thus far expended
out of its general fund only about
$4,000 the city has made clear
profit of about $4,000 besides
having it's water and light free of
cost
This seems to be a good showing
and it is owing first to the loyalty of
the people to its own plant and it's
management, second to the fact
that public minded citizens came to
its help at times of need, third to
the fact that it seized upon the op-
portunity when the waterpowers
could be purchased at reasonable
prices to buy them, and to the ex-
ceptional advantages for location Of
the dams and distribution of both
water and lighting services, and the
use of water instead of steam for
power.
We give only an abstract of the
remarks of the speaker, who gave
further details of some interest.
Judge Weld was at his best and
spoke clearly and forcibly and
showed a thorough knowledge of
his subject. He interspersed his
remarks with his usual good humor,
and skillfully answered the ques-
lions in the discussion which fol-
lowed. We are fortunate in having
so public spirited man in our
midst, one who is interested in all
things which will benefit and up
build the city.
Mr.. Buck followed with state
ment of the units of the city's plant,
stating that the power system con-
sists Of two dams provided with
proper machinery to develop in time
of necessity over 200 b. p. with two
pumps, one at the power house in
the First Ward and one at the