The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1913-12-03

preached in a spirit of harmoy and
goodwill This is good advice on any
subject and espec ally is it on the
question Of maintaining a public util-
ity in the community.
There was some Disappointment eX-
pressed that Mayor Sheldon was I'M
able to give the receipts of the plant
at Ames from the residence lighting.
1t seems while the account of the
street lighting is kept separate that
account of the residence and business
glting is kept together in one &C
coun 1t would be OF value in making
an estimate OF the operation of the
plant to know how much comes in
from the residence lighting because
doubtless it would show larger re-
ceipts than either the street or bus
mess lights. 1t is here that the benz
fit of the college students would ap-
pear and we wonder that the city of
plants do, the receipts coming from the
various kinds of lights.
The plant at Ames is charging about
the same rate for residence lights as
the plant here and considering the ad
vantages which Ames has over Deni-
son. in respects hereinbefore mention
ed the rates are lower here than there
and the service to the patrons here
is fully up to that of Ames although
there may be those who would take
issue on this question and who be-
lieve that the service here is not equal
to that of other places.
We assume that under municipal
control it will cost the patrons OF the
plant about the same as it does under
private control; and rather than have
the plant fail the city will have the
power to increase the tax to cover
shortages. We do not, however, sug-
gest that such a course will be resort
ed to, because with economical and
able management the probabilities
are that the city plant will run along
about as the plant is now running.
We were somewhat surprised when
Mr.. Sheldon spoke of the rates which
were charged for the residence light
ing at Ames because we anticipated
that the rate would be considerably
less than here considering the situa-
ton at Ames.
The Review is not inclined to find
fault with anyone who is in favor OF
municipal ownership because it is
debatable question and there seems to
be growing feeling on the part of the
people for government control not only
of municipal plants but of railroads
and other industries. There is feeling
on the part of some that paternalism
is dangerous thing and they look at
it as a species of socialism while 9TH
ers are inclined to see something in
the movement that will prove of great
benifit to the people.
So far as this community is con-
cerned the experiment is yet to be
made and If made good faith attempt
on the part OF every one should be
shown to give it fair trial and de-
termine whether it is an improvement
over privately owned enterprises.
We understand that the city coun-
Gil has decided on asking an express
sion of the people on the question OF
trial of municipal ownership. 1t the
question is submitted to the people
they should devote their time and en-
ergies studying the question and not
spend their time finding fault with
each other because they do not agree
on the question. This is business
proposition and not one for finding
fault and complaining of each other