The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-06-06

but at a valuation so low and at a rate so much less than the rate the same property would pay, if taxed where located, that the state, during the past two years, has been obliged to increase it's revenues. For this purpose. the general assembly has laid a state tax of one-half mill upon the grand lists of the cities and towns.
 A bill is pending before the present general assembly for the continuance of this tax. In the name of the city of Bridgeport, have opposed the passage of this bill, and have united with me, in opposition, the mayors of most of the cities of Connecticut. I have reason to believe that this haS been, in part at least, effective.
 The demands of the state upon our citizens are further represented by the imposition of personal tax, and the creation of a machinery for it's collection. This tax is useful to the extent that it has caused many c1tl- zens to consider carefully our laws re- lating to taxation, and I am confident that the result will be correction or many evils, including the ultimate re- peal of the personal tax law.
 We'll Administered.
 Nevertheless, with all the faults that attend upon the administration of public affairs and the waste and carelessness to some degree present in the conduct of public business, I unhesitatingly declare that American cities, including Bridgeport, are, in the whole, we'll administered. Bridge port gives to it's people more for the money than they obtain from any other source whatever.
 But there is another way in which we may seek to decrease our tax rate, or that charges for service public in nature, which our citizens now pay. We may extend the field of the cfty's activity to the so-called public utili- ties,' as many communities, through out Europe, in this country, and in this state, have already done.
 Should Own Lighting Plant.
 After careful consideration, I am convinced that Bridgeport should own its own electric lighting plant for street lighting, and the sale of cur rent upon commercial basis. NO new legislation will be necessary, as the existing laws now provide method by which a municipality may establish an electric lighting plant.
 Twenty-Five municipalities in Massachusetts operate electric light ing plants. The number is rapidly increasing throughout the world. Our neighbor, Canada, which is striving earnestly to increase its manufactures,
  for light and power.
 In Connecticut, Norwich and South Norwalk conduct lighting plants. Nor wich has but recently engaged in the enterprise, but South Norwalk has op- erated its plant since 1892.
 Through the courtesy of Mayor Pohlman and General Superintendent Albert E. Winchester, of South Nor walk, I have made a complete and thorough investigation of the history and operation of the South Norwalk enterprise, from it's inception to the present time.
 am convinced, as a result of my inquiry, that this plant has been of enormous commercial and civic ben eft to the people of South Norwalk, and that it has been a large factor in increasing the manufacturing indus tries of that city.
 South Norwalk has been enabled to save much money on it's street lighting, has sold current to private consumers much under the usual rate, has supplied current for power at three cents per K. w. hour, and yet has paid for plant out of earnings and in the last hScal year made a pro- fit of $30,000.
 am convinced that this showing can be duplicated in Bridgeport upon larger scale, with equal benefits to the city and to its people, and to cause an additional increase in the growth of our manufactures which will follow upon the introduction of an abundant electric power sold at moderate cost.
 I am informed by MT. Winchester that no steam engine has been in- stalled in South Norwalk in six years, although one concern, which recently settled there, brought an engine to use in case the electric power should fail I am informed that this engine still stands upon the skids, and that it will never be erected.
 I recommend to your careful con- sideration action looking to the estab-