The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1908-07-16

the end of that time, u plant wOrtl
$4,000. 90. Add this to the $78500.
90 and we have a plant that In tel
years costs us $lO4, 500 OO!! w,
have saved $40, 100000, which W,
would have had to pay the presen
plant, but the fact stares us In the
face, that ten years from now W,
will have a plant, the Council will
that costs $4,000, 90, above anG
beyond what our light would have
cost us.
Now let us indulge with Julls
Ward Howe in vision:
The municipal plant is built
The Council operate it--this coun
Gil, of course, because 1t fathers
1t, and the common law compelt
the father to care for his progeny
This Council is made up of ouI
very best business men. How
much Of their time and care and
attention do they give to the usual
and incidental requirements of the
cityp They are paid $500 for at
tendance at each session for twen-
ty-fOur ssssions-$2.OO an hour,
and yet at ohis pay for time, they
do not all attend all the time all
the meetings. With this, If not
Indifference, at least inattentlon,
in providing street crossings and
alley cleanings, how much care
can be expected for light plant,
requiring skilled, careful, honest
employees. Then this Council has
only one more year. Another
Council succeeds and may have a
different opinion as to who shall
be employed, how shall the work
be done; and so with the change
of Council, political pulling, per-
sonal preference and prejudice, we
are likely, in the very nature of
things, to have a "hot time" and
''some dark times" in our old
town on several nights.
We assume to say the Council
will not, cannot successfully run
an electric light plant. There is
not a man in the Council-and
they are all good business mem
who would risk the Council to run
his business for him for an hour as
a collective body; would not put
up enough money for peanut
stand and trust the management
of it to this or any Council and
expect results, because they can
not give 1t attention for the salary
received.
The previous Council indulged
in the dream of a municipal light
plant. An expert electrical en-
glneer from Toledo, the most capa-
BILE man in the state, of course,
was employed to make plans and
He did go. He
was paid SITS 90 for his two days
work. The issue was put to a
vote. The expenses were over
$500 90. Where is that $175 90
plan and specifications9 Why did
the people vote it down then2 Be-
cause a few figures by foreigner
did not look good to them. To day
We have no plans and specitica-
lions. What are we voting on?
Just to give few fellows some
hing to spend?
The Council paved Main street.
The renter, the customer is pay
ing for that municipal bounty.
The town operates the water
works. 1t has been a losing busi-
ness from the start, and the worst
IF it is that those who don't take
water, as we'll as those who pay
Tor water service are additionally
;axed to make up the deficit.
The town now is bonded for
$50, 900. Can We stand any
nore2 Will foreign capital be in.
,ited to our city to face addition
II bondency, higher than her tax
.tlon, and, necessarily higher
ents.
Some of our folks think If the
own owns the Light plant they
will get some street lamps. These
ame people voted for sewerage
water service, $85, 900. Ten years
lave passed, they are paying right
Ilong, and yet have not got what
hey voted for. Will they get
light any sooner2 Why not vote
or bonds to extend sewers and