Daily Kennebec journal., 1910-06-24
MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC LIGHT
And Power Stations-Rapid Increase
Shown In Census Bureaus Report,

Shown In Census Bureaus Report.
Washington, ID. c., June %
Municipal central electric light anC
power plants, or stations, increa sec
more than 100 per cent more rapidl,
in their number than the com tercia
stations in the United States, accord.
ing to the Census Bureaus forthcom
ing report on the census for 1907 OF
central electric light and power sta
tionS
comparison of the number of re-
ports received by the bureau from
municipal stations in 1907 with those
received from the same source in 100:
show an increase of $50 per cent. as
against 234 per cent. for the com.
mercial companies.
The proportionately greater increase
in municipal stations. the report
states. is largely due to the fact the,
are practically exempt from the con
solidations that so frequently Occur
among the commercial companies.
further analysis of the reports
shows that although 33 municipal sta
| tions which reported in 1902 had be-
come commercial stations in 1907
there were 113 stations reported as
commercial in 1902 which had become
municipal in 1907.
Thes facts do not furnish corrobora
tive evidence of the claim which has
been made, sustained by what ap-
pears reasonable argument, that the
drift of these public utilities is from
municipal to commercial use. on the
contrary. the report states there ap-
pears to be distinct field fol
municipal electric stations. not onl,
because of feeling which may exist
in many localities that these public
utilities should be owned by the
cities. but because many of the places
| in which municipal plants are located
do not present sufficient inducement
for the investment of commercial
capital
The total number of commercial
and municipal stations in 1907 was
Ala as compared with $500 in 1902
an increase of 30.2 per cent. Oi
these in 1907 there were 3,462 com
mercial stations, while in 1902 there
We're 2,S05; an increase amounting tC
PA per cent. In 1907 the municipal
stations numbered 1852. as against
SIS in 1902; the per cent. of increase
being 53.6.
Comparing the details for municipa
stations in 1907 with similar items ir
1902. it appears that the cost of con-
struction and equipment in 1907 was
reported as $42.S79.447, while in 100.
| it was $22,020,473; an increase of 94.I
per cent. The gross income of the
| municipal stations in 1907 was s14.-
| O11.999. as compared with $6.965.10:
| in 1902; an increase of 1912 per cent
Both sums INCLUDE the estimated in
come for current consumed iT
| municipal buildings and in lighting
Streets parks, etc The gross income
[ in 1907 includes $13614.434 for electric
service. as compared with $6,S36.S5t
| in 1902: an increase of 99.1 per cent
| OF the amount received for electric
service in 1907. there is charged tC
| lighting $13.040.263, while in 1902 the
| amount was s6.74S.Sf3; gain of 90;
| per cent. The revenue from station
AIRY motors. as a part of the electric
service in 1907, was $516,373, and il
! 1902 it was $70.540. an increase of 63.
per cent. All other income from
! electric service in 1907 amounted t
$57,79S. as compared with $17,453 ir
1902; the per cent. OF increase being
| 231.2. All other general sources o.
| income in 1907 yielded $397,565. anC
in 1902 the amount was $12S,249; ar
| increase of 210 per cent.
The immense percentages of in
| in, A.
| for stationary motors is conspicuous
| The increase in this respect shown
| for the commercial stations in 190'
] was but 1S4.5 per cent The municipa
stations in 1907 showed 93.2 pei
| cent. increase in the income from
| lighting while the commercial plant:
gained 77s per cent
The per cent. of increase in tota
| expenses in 1907 was slightly larger fol
| the municipal plants than for the com
mercial. the former showing 1874 pei
cent and the latter 91,3 per cent. The
| municipal stations total expenses II
| 1907 amounted to s9.167,1SS. as com
pared with s4.741.1S2 in 1902.
| The cost of fuel for the municipa
stations in 1907, which was 1922, 1888
| Increased iSo.o Dei cent over Sl'ffv'o67
| in 1902 The commercial stations il
1907 expended $19,S24962 for fuel. as
against S1o1S9.6S5 in 1902. an increas'
of 94.6 per cent
| There was in 1907 an increase of S5.'
per cent. in the amounts. 4S5, 015-
paid bv municipal stations for salaries
and wages. while in 1902 the figures
were $1.S79.722. In this respect in 1870
the CONNIE rcial stations increased TO-:
| per cent.
| ficials, clerks. etc. who earned 1894
| S32. in the employ OF the munlclpa
| stations. as compared with $50. wh'
| earned $457 3S1. in 1902 an increase Q
| HIS per cent. in salaries and OF I.