The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1914-12-05

sUPERIOR's OBJECTIONS ANSWERED
In another column publish letter from the
Superior Commercial club in which they take excep-
tons to main article of three weeks ago. Does
Municipal Ownership Pay"
They in the opening paragraph that certain
figures given and conclusions drawn therefrom
which tend create the impression that Duluth is
desirable place to live in than is SUPERIOR This
is rather faretched objection prompted undoubtedly
by jealous cares Of superior's welfare To bear out
their argument they point to the large number of
working (and women) .attested by rec
ords of the street railway which shows that
for every person living in Duluth and working in su
perior there two living in Superior and working in
Duluth This absolutely nothing in regards to
living conditions. This condition is brought about by
varying circumstances The greater part Of those lv
ing in Superior and working in Duluth are. like the
editor single and prefer to eat at mothers table and
enjoy other convenences of the home, while great
many contribute to the family income and there
find it cheaper to stay at home than to board
elsewhere.
The worker doesn't always live where rents are low
greatest comparative conveniences
such coseness to his work ETC., can be found.
pleased to note in the letter that
tradcon made of the comparative rates Of the two
water plants We will admit that the average worker
not 707 cubic feet of water per month.
Will the Superior Commercial club admit the $1.o6
paid in Duluth for 707 cubic feet of water Is so per
cent less than the Superior company charges for
like amount? Isn't 1t true that the Superior
charges $21s for the quantity of We also
draw attention to the fact brought out In the letter that
the worker gets his water for $50 or So cents in
Duluth while in Superior he. is charged, "75 or IS
cents" This Is argument for the Superior cit
pick up and Duluth but the contrary
is for Superior to after the ownership of
the water plant Let here make note of the rates
in Milwaukee and Superior just for the sake of
parison between public and private ownership. In
Milwaukee $500 cubic feet of $1.o4 in
perior like amount of water costs $5.O8. We might
also add that Racine Wisconsin has privately owned
plant and for $500 cubic feet Of water charges $542
But" continues the letter. There is "but'
/. cerned The Duluth CONSUMER" doesn't have to buy
his meter The meter costing $12 Is chargeabe the
and has nothing to do with the rent the
property. The " mill levy made several ago in
order to reduce the water rates good business that
returned the people of Duluth real dividend"
their investment.
AS to the gas consumption again we admit the
average worker probably will not 1900 cubic
feet and thank the Superior Commercial club for
drawing attention the difference of between
the charges of the two plants munich
paly owned plant.
But it be shown that the difference is NOT
due to plant being pubcally and the other pri-
vately owned but to- the fact that the distribution
interest charges lower in the larger place
says the letter. Undoubtedly many things can be
SHOWN. The Public Service Magazine "shows" these
things month. 1t would appear from the topo-
graphy of the respective cities that the
button would necessarily be higher Duluth than in
Superior. 1t has been experience that it entails
labor to make trenches in than in SOIL And
by the take note Of the difference allowed
by the Superior club the two plants
If he rents his house, you may be sure that he
pays for his water meter and service pipe rent
A new theory of rent evidently Rent we have been
taught is guaged by land values. municipal owner
ship Is the main for higher rents then surely
land values higher for the reason This being
true it should be benefit rather than hindrance to
the city whole. That municipal ownership is a
benefit is evidenced by the fact Canadian cities
in advertising their possibilities point with pride to the
> TENS which "reduce the tax rate"
AS to the matter of hydrant rentals and other SER
vice to the city by private corporation it has been
pointed out times that very frequently such ser
vice given to the city below
off municipal regulation and ownership. In othe,
III words 1t Is covert of bribery. We don't make
81 this as charge against the Superior company-we
merely point out what other cities have experienced
AS to hydrant rental however US state that it /.
very good unit of comparison for Superior Water
so Light and Power company to In an argument hut
want to point at this time the difference he
tween Duluth and Superior.
$8E Duluth maintains 1881 miles OF water main wifi
average of 1875 customers per mile and has but $50
A hydrants per mile, while Superior. are told main
tans 10 hydrants per mile Of water main. This in Itself
would make great difference rentals per hydrant
Superior maintains approximately S5 miles OF wate
main with $50 hydrants at cost $40 psr hydrant
total cost Of $4,000 Were Superior hydrants !,
thu proportion the Duluth system they woul,