The log cabin Democrat., 1910-04-27


 the collection of the last assessment
 made for the purchase of the plant r and the payment of the last note giv-
 en therefor, we believe it to the best
 interests of the city that these inn provements be installed by the coun- cil itself, in order that they may be financed and carried to completion by one organization, without having the
 plant to change hands while in the midst of the installation of these nee essary improvements. As this work : should be begun at once, in order that it may be completed as far as possible i before the heavy load comes on with the next fall and winters business,
 we believe that the board of the lm-
 provement district should at once de-
 liver the plant to this council, to be operated and maintained by said
 council.
 We therefore recommend:
 1 1. That the city council, at the earliest practicable time, take charge of the light plant and assume the management and operation thereof, the board of the improvement district to continue in existence so long as 1t may be necessary to collect all unpaid assessments heretofore levied and to discharge all obligations due for the purchase of the plant, the overplus if any to be turned into the city treas ury to repay said city for funds here tofore advanced in the payment of notes given for the purchase of the plant. 2. That upon delivery of said plant to the city council, the books and accounts of same be carefully au dited under the direction of this con- mittee, and business-like system of books be constructed in order that the exact financial condition, cost of oper- ation and other data may be readily | ascertained by this council or the people and taxpayers. 1
 3. That immediately after the city council shall take charge of said plant, the street lights be placed on a separate circuit, as mentioned | above; that an additional 250 or 300 | horsepower boiler be installed, to- gether with the necessary addition to the building, pumps, etc.; that the present pole lines be repaired and put in frst-class condition and such ex- tensions of the line be made as will | supply consumers now applying for lights, where same can be done with out an expense too great to make it profitable.
 1. That to pay the cost of these additions and improvements, the es- mated amount of which is $5,000 to 1, $6,000, and to retire the present in- debtedness on which ten per cent is being paid, we would recommend the | appropriation by the city council of a sufficient amount to cover same, and that warrants payable annually for term of at least five years be issued under said appropriation. These war rants we believe can be sold at such price as to make the interest cost to the city probably not more than 5 per cent and at least not more than per cent per annum.
 5. That immediately after the street lights have been put on a sep arate circuit and other necessary inn provements installed, the plant shall be operated continuously day and night, in order to supply growing demand for power, fans and lights in the day time. We are informed by Superintendent Burr that the plant can be operated "A hours per day at the same cost for labor and supervis- ion as it now costs for night service only, and that by a more economical boiler system and supply of current, the fuel cost for continuous service will be no greater than it is at pres ent.
 6. That the present flat" rate to consumers be discontinued, and all consumers be required to install me ters and pay uniform rate for the actual current consumed. For the benefit of such consumers as may not at present be able to pay the cost of installing meters, we would recom- mend the purchase by the city of number of meters to be rented to such consumers at nominal monthly rate.
 '. That the present system of col
 lection for service be discontinued and all consumers be required to pay at the office of said plant, within 10 days ] !. f4... 4l1 E..n4 ,e ..,aL ,..o.,4I, f1... .Il