Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1910-04-20
MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP.

MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP.
At the last municipal election the
people demanded and elected a city
administration pledged to municipal
ownership of water works and public
improvements, especially on the
streets. Later complaints were heard
that the administration was not car
rylng out Its pledges, but these came
from the desire to hurry matters,
while the administration proposed to
move slowly and BIO sure that 1t was
right In every move that called for
the expenditure of public funds. With
the object OF getting the best results
the administration secured the SER
Vices Of an expert on water plants who
bears high reputation for honesty
and competency. He went over the
situation thoroughly. examined the
present system, figured the cost of a
new plant, and the value OF the
present one. His figures show that a
new plant is out OF the question and
that the price Of the present one Is
not above its real value. This con-
clusIon Is based upon allowances for
depreciation and comes within5e the
bonding capacity OF the city. To
build new system. we're tho city
able to bond for the amount, would
still leave us without power, which
must be purchased Of the Kootenai
Power company or be produced by
steam, With the present plant pur-
chased by the city goes a contract
for electric power at $3.50 month,
which Is less than the fuel would
cost to generate steam, not counting
extra engineers and flremen. Under
these conditions Il Is q matter Of
economy as we'll as business, to pur-
chase the present system at cost OF
$4,000 II the people vote the bonds,
and we believe this Is the intention OF
the mayor and members OF the city
council.
There are many reasons for voting
the bonds to purchase the water plant.
as we'll as to vote those for street
improvements and better fre protee-
tIon. The expenditure for the water
system Is not a move creating debt
which must be paid by taxation, for
the reason that the revenue from the
water department would pay the
bonds. the interest, keep up repairs
and extensions and leave a surplus
which would more than take care OF
the street Improvement, city hall and
ilre department bonds II tho water
rates were to be kept at the present
scale. A material reduction in rates
can DO made aud still leave surplus
enough to moro than take care OF the
water bonds as interest and principle
comes due. These statements are
confirmed by the estimates and fig
ures sent out by City Attorney Black.
under direction OF the council, aud
We would advise the taxpayers to give
this official statement careful eonsld-
Grafton. II contains facts and fig
ures which any one can easily verify
by doing little figuring and there
10 no chance for deception, After
reading this statement over careful
~ every taxpayer should make It a
point to register aud vote on the
question OF bonds, We believe II
viii prove to De the best investment
the city ever made,
should the proposition be defeated
at the coming election II might be
years before another opportunity Is
given TO vote on the question OF
municipal ownership, and as the city
grows the present plant or new
system becomes more valuable. which
Is another reason for voting the bonds
now and securing the profits and In
creased value 70 the people instead
of to a corporation whose only OBJ
ject Is In securing the greatest rev.
enue possible from the consumers. In
other words private ownership means,
In tho language OF the railway traffic
otfleial, charge all the traiiic will
stand" As taxpayer and eonsn-
mer Of water are you willing to con-
tlnae the private ownership with all
the charges that II can heap upon
you. or win you vote Tor bonds and
municipal ownership The decision
Is up 90 the taxpayers.
TINE nEAsoN