The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1914-11-27

MUNICIPAL
OWNERSHIP.

1t was only recently that Palatka
was split up the back in an argument
over the question of municipal own
ership of the electric lighting and
power properties.
The cause of municipal ownership
was championed by young man who
had been resident of the city but
few months and who was foreigner
by birth and education and habits OF
thought, though through no fault of
his own. We speak of him now sim
ply because his vehemace made an
impression on US. He had theories
for his premise rather than facts.
The News has been inclined to IA
vor municipal ownership on general
principles. 1t has a good look-a CO.
operative look-something that sort
o makes US all partners who could
dwell together in unity and dizzy the
profits.
We believe in popular government
The principle is right, but thus far IN
practice we have not made profound
economic success. We pay more for
governing ourselves than we would
pay an up-to-date crook who bore the
title of Emperor Of the United States
and by the Grace of God Metropolitan
of the Church Militant"
Extravaganza has been the rule in
nation, state and municipality, supple
mented by incompetence and graft.
A municipal lighting plant would Of
fer but another opportunity for the
exercise of extravaganza, a dislay Of
incompetence and the further prac-
tice of graft
The economic facts are against it
These facts are presented to the peop-
pie through bulletin recently issued
by the Bureau of the U. S. Census
Instead of analyzing these facts, The
News is going to let Golfers Weekly
do it. That publication for the 7tf
inst. puts them tersely, thus:
Perhaps the most obvious thing
for the average city to own is the
electrict light and power station,
since the city already owns,
. paves, and cleans the streets. Be
, tween 1902 and 1912 the number
of such plants owned by our mu-
inequalities increased from 815 to
1862, while the number CONNER
cially owned increased from 1906
to 8 $50. How did they work?
The Bureau of the Census has is
sued bulletin which gives the
answer. The figures show that
in 1912 the city-owned stations
hired 10 per cent of the total
number of employees in order
turn out At per cent of the total
product. Electricity is sold by
the kilowatt hour, and the cities
increased their average charge
from 3.5 cents in 1902 to 4.3
cents in 1912, while the CONNER
cial plants reduced their average
charge from "a cents to 25 cents.
1t is clear that this reflects, among
other things, the growth of mu-
nicipal ownership in the smaller
towns, where it really does cost
more to turn out "the juice;
but the trouble is that the whole
: drift of the statistical evidence is
? in the same direction. The city
owned plants tend to fall back
on higher rates and the kindly
I nurture of taxes, and do not
;, deliver the goods. There is an
other seamy side to the story,
y viz. the way in which these mu-
: niciapl enterprises resist State
regulation and especially the in
n PRODUCTION of uniform account
= ing methods which would show
y all the facts. Municipal own
ership spells opportunity for the
politician and his officeholders,
e but it does not spell service.
y The News therefore reiterates it
Il congratulations to the people of Pa
latka on the outcome of that recen
: lighting franchise controversy.
The present commercially owne
a lighting and power company has
!, definite franchise which provide
$ rates and rules, and penalties TO
t their violation. The people are al
h ready receiving their proportion G
S the dividends in reduced rates an
r better service.