The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1911-01-22
MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP.

The Caucasian has been for years an
answering advocate of the municipal
ownership of all public utilities, and
this was some years before the Shreve-
port Gas, Electric Light and Power
Company, which is today one of the
strong factors in the progress of Shreve-
port.
When, during the administration of
Mayor Queries, the agitation of rates,
then higher than now, was engaging the
attention of the public. the Caucasian,
then as now, sided with the people, and
the result was that in the end the rate
now in vogue was secured by Mayor
Queries, who then voiced his fullest ap-
probation of the aid given him by the
Caucasian
In advocating the municipal ownership
of an electric light plant, the Caucasian
is not intent on advising or suggesting
competition with the plant now in ope-
ration, but that the municipal plant
should be operated for the good of the
city and for the benefit of those who
would obtain service from the municipal
plant, is only fair and is based on strict
ly common business sense. The Caucas-
ia1a's position is clear.
1t hold that it would be economy for
the municipality to own its plant, even
at the cost which is being paid for the
service given by the Shreveport Gas,
Electric Light and Power Company
The Caucasian has held and is firm in
the belief that a municipal plant can be
operated as well and as economically as
the plant of the company, and for the
city to acquire plant for its own light
ing would not only be responsive to
present demands but would be proof
that this community is growing substan-
italy on the same line as other COM
Tnunities, which own and operate sue
cessfully and proftably the public utili
ties for the good of all the people
In its advocacy of municipal owner
ship of public utilities the Caucasian has
long since realized that its views and
expressions have not received the favor
of those interested in the plants, hav-
ing contracts with the city, but, now as
IN the years past, when it fought almost
single-handed the Louisiana Lottery in
this section of the State, that as plain
duty, resting on principles, is of greater
concern than a few paltry dollars or
some meagre advantage which may be
gained in hesitation, in neutrality or a
doubtful opposition to such private en-
ferprises.
What the people want is light of the
best obtainable for the least money, and
from information received from reliable
authorities, where municipalities own
and operate public utilities, it can be de-
n1onstrated that Shreveport can estab-
lish its own electric light plant and ope-
rate it for at least half the price now
charged for the same service. In some
instances the cost to the municipalities |
is from I-4c to 2 I-2c per kilowatt.
As to price, the operating company
would, naturally, in the spirit of self
interest, charge the fullest price the
community would stand. The operating
Go any is in business for the money
81 the stockholders anticipate
Z le return on the investment
f = consideration of the municipal |
ownership of the public utilities, the is
sue of water is as pre-eninent as light,
and is also engaging the serious atten-
ton of the thinking men of this com
munity.