The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-06-15

nipulation. contemplating changes al
the light plant. had been indorsed in
on those responsible that would take
the public platform, expose their
scheme and warn the people Of just
what was in store, once the political
sanctity Of their utilities was violated
the plotters desisted and it is not like
ly that things will be disturbed. 1t is
no trffling matter here to talk about
making political plum trees of the light
and water works, and it would be a
degenerate indeed who would fly in
the face Of public sentiment in such
an undertaking"
Serves Despite Politics.
Edward Burke has been superintend'
ent Of the Anderson municipal plant
through two Democratic administra'
tions. His politics does not seem to
count. A colleague described him as
a Republican, another said he was a
Bull Mooser, and former mayor I'm.
der whom Burke held office said he
was a Democrat II Burke takes his
politics seriously, he gives no outward
indication of it. He has the good will
and support Of the entire community.
His complaint record consists almost
wholly of trouble on the line" re.
ported in either by linemen or patrol.
men who find an extinguished arc.
Burke is paid $500 a year and
earns 1t. He is not an engineer, but
is described as very practical man.
which unquestionably he is, in his line.
Former City Controller John Will
liams, was laughed at, by some, when,
before retiring two years ago, he
made the assertion that within very
few years Anderson ought to abolish
governmental expenses from the net
profits Of the publicly owned light and
water plants. But he came right back
and gave figures proving, in the light
Of past performances, that it could be
done. Yet Anderson will be content
with less.
Controller William Richter, Mr.. Viii.
lian1s' successor, sees no reason why
the city shouldn't come mighty near
it, Last year the receipts of the
plant are shown to have been $751;
452.58, and the disbursements $7O,-
294.16, net gain of $51,15S42.
The city of Anderson, which the
year before had paid approximately
$4,000 for street lighting, last year
paid nothing. In addition the city
plant was charged with and paid one
lighting posts, or about $4,000 An
derson operates 800 cluster lights, dis
tributed over the business sections,
and 335 arc lights, brilliantly illum-
mating the entire city at night
Reduces Cost.
Superintendent Burke estimates
that the actual cost per arc light,
which was SIS at the time the city
entered upon a monopoly. has been
reduced to $26. He says the city sup
plies Juice" to 1900 meters
After discussing the value of mu-
nicipal ownership of it's light and pow
er and water utilities, Mayor ]. H.
have managed to continue reducing its
tax rate, had provision been made for
depreciation and requirements in the
However, no such provis-
ion was made and it is now necessary
to take the 1915 profits from the two
plants, for additional construction,
made imperative by the enlarged de-
thus depriving the city treas
ury from the benefits Of such moneys.
The mayor admits there will be a de-
ficit of perhaps $4,000 to make up
this year, but inasmuch as the city's
total debt consists of $4,000 in 3h%
refunding bonds, due in 1927, this is
not regarded as a very ominous stu
alton. Besides, Anderson, generally
recognized as very wealthy city, has
an assessed valuation for taxation Of
ION mn n hof rI,hi kA
tax rate may be raised to 80 cents for
next year, the continued prosperity
Of the light and water plants, and a
more equitable assessment OF property
guarantees that the city's profits from
the two utilities, if properly handled
will go almost the entire distance in
paying municipal administrative ex.
penses.
Now Anderson and Richmond are
almost of the same population. In
physical area they are very similar.
Richmond operates about fifty more
street arc lights, but no cluster lights.
Richmond raises practically twice as
much in taxes as Anderson, on a rate
Of $1.10 and a taxable valuation of
SIG, 100000. So that it is plain Rich
mond should have far more for public
But If Richmond has
had and spent more for better streets,
or public comforts, the results are not
apparent. In Anderson the light
plant has been the means Of providing
funds for the various municipal &C.
tivities and enterprises that here have
meant 4 direct levy upon taxable prop /,
erty. And Anderson's lighting and |
power and water rate schedules are