The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1908-12-25

months of operation of the waterworks
of the city, with the last FIVE months
under the control Of n private corpora
ton, shows conclusively that the con
fdence of the people in their present
form Of government has not been mis-
placed. During said period the plant
has been operated by the city at de-
creased cost in salaries alone of e.
3O7ss, notwithstanding the fact that
the salaries of all operatives have been
materially increased. During the same
time the city shows a gain in earn
ings, including hydrant rentals for
merly paid by the city, of $lo,575.35,
without increasing the charge for SER
vice to the consumer. With a de-
creased consumption in the amount of
fuel, the average monthly pressure has
been increased from 53.5 pounds in
September, 1906, to 60 pounds in Feb
ruary, 1907, showing q remarkable gain
in the matter of waste of water. This
gain is due in part to the installation
of meters in those cases where con-
sumers we're disposed to be reckless in
the use of water; in part to the elm
nation, by the city, of an extensive
"free list" and in part to the detec-
ton of several hundred secret connec-
tons, which are now doing business
regularly with the department. 1t is
doubtless true, also, that a portion of
the gain is directly due to the fact
that the citizen now feels himself a
part owner of the plant, which re-
moves the disposition "to get even"
by extravagant use of water.
Ineomparably more important is the
fact that for the first time in the his
tory of the plant, the citizens have en-
ioyed an abundance of pure, sparkling
artesian water, pronounced by Alexan.
the world. - The bayou product has
been "cut out' and provisions made
for large reservoir that will afford an
abundant supply of pure water for
every emergency. Then, too, the ten
tacles Of an interminable lawsuit that
prevented extensions of mains and
other needed improvements have been
cut loose, and the city is in position
to make possible ga fountain of sweet
waters in every humble home in
Houston; thus turning a veritable mi
rage into verdant oasis, in which gem
erations, yet unborn, will breathe the
fragrance of gratitude to Houston IS
first Commission government.
A somewhat extended statement of
This matter is INDUCED for the reason
that here we have an opportunity to
compare, directly, municipal operation
of the plant with that of private cor
poration, wherein the former has out
classed the latter at every point, and
| yet the city has scarcely had time to
kput her plans into effective operation.
All other public utilities are owned
and operated by private concerns, yet
in almost every instance, they have put
e themselves into hearty cooperation with
, the present administration. and are re-
: spending as rapidly as possible to a pop
ular demand for a better and more ex
e tended service. This is particularly
r true of the street railway system
I which has, within nine months, ex
pended 100000 in improving its road
bed and cars, and is probably the equa
= of any similar system in the United
: States. So long as present conditions
, prevail, there will be no popular de
mand for municipal ownership of Other
; public utilities.
n As further illustration of the er
s feet of applying business principles in
, municipal administration, attention is
, called to the following figures taker
| from the Controllers books:
The cost of operating a certain, de
: partment of the city for the year end
/ ing 1909 was $l5, 9S6.60, while the rev
enue thertfrom was $l5,l72.00, show
> ing net loss of $Sl4.00
e For the year ending 1905, the last
: year under the old system the expenses
were 5.445.4O, while the gross re
ceipts were $l6,76l.50, showing mel
earnings amounting to $l3l6.l0.
n The operation of the same depart
S ment with greater efficiency, during tn,
y year ending 1907, cost the city Sl1 ,074.
. 81, while the gross earnings wer'
! $l6,692,75, showing net earnings o.
Q $5601.1s.
: 1t is worthy of note that the resul
n of the last year was accomplished by
: | the same O1ncer VINO nau charge uurlnI
the former years, and is due solely t.
! the operation of a better system, an'
r not to the better operation of the sam
n system.
. As illustrating the same propositio"
u attention is called to results IN TN,
r health department, where a small stool
g of drugs has been installed at nomi
| nal cost, and the expense to the city o.
prescriptions thereby reduced from 3;
cents to s cents per prescription.
: simple and inexpensive method of mill
: inspection has been adopted which ha
4. resulted in the sale of milk, shown b,
actual test, to be the purest in tn,
State.
The operation of garbage crema
Il tory, under the old system. costing tn
=. city 100000 resulted in failure. I'm
der the present plan, simple appara
tus was fitted up at cost of $75
J. which is thoroughly efficient, the cos
d of operation being but a trifie.
A business system has reduced cam
paign promises to basis of perform
y ,nan aud tha ras,,lt hot H. -