Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1913-04-03

Have a yacation?" No, Since Mr.
Duncan resigned, am doing his work
saving you thereby $500 per month,
and $4,000 per month on labor at the
pump house, a total saving of $500
per month, so it costs you practices Y
$500 per month for my wages. The
Grand Rapids Electric Company pays
its Superintendent or Manager, what
100000 per year Their plant is
worth about $50, coo 90. The Water
works up to last July, s145.O00.00. The
only thing l am guilty of, is that /
am foolish to do so much, but l can't
help it. l know many don't like me;
the people that don't understand. and
the people that don't want to under
stand, the ones that don't pay their
water rent, some of the Grand Rap
ids Electric Company, and contrac-
tors that do not want to live up to
their contract but, have always stood
my guns TO the bitter end | have
nothing against the Electric Com
pany, or the stockholders. Many of
these men are my friends, and are
honest, upright and noble men, The
noblest work of God
! The success OF the Grand, Rapids
Electric Company is due, not so mucl
to the good management, but to the
good contracts from the City, and
the contract from the Consolidated
| Water Power & Paper Company, to
get cheap power, much cheaper than
they could make it, themselves, and
to the good prices fer all other lights
Mr.. A. L. Fontaine wants to know
about an overdraft of S6S, 029.65. This
( cannot answer until I hear from the
Railroad Commission of Wisconsin.
He also wants to know why the
rentals are not greater than they are
This is because we have not many
water users, and We have low flat
rate, our minimum rate being $500
while the Telephone and Grand Rap
ids Electric Company charge $120(
per year. Besides this, we have DC
income from fire hydrants, flushing
sewers, public fountains, schools, Ii
brary, and city hall.
He would also like a more detailed
account of the water works system
and what it is costing them. We have
an account of everything, ard we max
report every year, to the Railroad
Commission OF Wisconsin, and one
to the City, a report that everyone
can understand. l made out one las
year, and | think it was published
We have our books open for inspec
ton at any time, and anyone is vel
come to come and examine them. M
secrecy whatever, and we shall b.
pleased to explain so far as possible
anything which is not undrestoo.
The income in the past has been e
j nough some years, to pay all lnteres
on bond s. pay for all repairs, labor
insurance and office expenses, an
some years, more. In 1909, there wa
1887 .86 more than running eXpens
es. In 1908, it was only $353.06, NOR
) than running expenses, without e1
: tensions figured in. This money WEI
J into the City Treasury, in with tn
license and tax money, and was pro
/ baby used for paying off bonds c
/ used for whatever was needed, an
t over which | have no control. A
Of these reports have been publishe
4 in detail, at the end of the year.
{ Our water rates are low. Wher
: one rate is as low as ours, ten ar
e higher. Our prices have not chan&
> ed since we started, in 1894, onl
once Last summer we made sli 81
j. change which change does not e
t feet the small users, using up