The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1915-06-25

turity, is the best evidence that the
management of plant manufactur-
ing electricity requires that fund be
provided for practically rebuilding
the plant and replacing obsolete ma
chinery with modern machinery at
least every 15 years. The real cost,
therefore, of lighting our streets at
the present time is the cost of oper-
ating the plant plus the interest on
$4,000 at not less than per cent,
plus the difference between cost of
the lighting plant at Second and East
streets, and its present value divid-
ed by the number of years the plant
has been in operation or about 20
years.
Taking the figures given in the en-
glneer's report to the mayor and city
council, we have the following: Op-
Grating cost, $7,9213S; interest, ST.
600; depreciation, $4,000, or a gross
annual cost for lighting the streets
of Frederick of nearly $4,000. 1t is
true by purchasing current now we
cannot get rid of paying interest on
the bonds already outstanding, but by
contracting our street lighting we can
save enough to pay the interest on
these bonds and $1,500 besides. If
we are sincere in trying to keep our
tax rate down, and at the same time
have better street lighting system,
we certainly cannot advocate the ex-
penditure of an additional 100000 up
on which we must pay an additional
interest of at least $2,400, and in the
end, after all this expenditure, only
have what we can now obtain from
practically our own citizens, under a
positive guarantee, at price equiv
alent to little more than the interest
on this proposed investment, to say
nothing of the operating cost.
On the question of the city of Fred
erick selling commercial light, can
not see how this will either benefit
the city or the taxpayers. When pri-
vate capital is not willing to take the
risk or when private light plant
does not and will not provide proper
service, it is sometimes necessary for
the development of the business in
terests of city for a municipality
to go into the commercial lighting
business.
During my residence in the city of
Frederick, both electricity and gas
have been substantially reduced cleo
tricity being reduced about 40 per
cent. and these are about the only
supplies that people use that have
been reduced in this time.
The inference in Mr.. Bakers state
ment is that the present lighting
rates are not satisfactory Certainly
every business should pay reason
able return on the investment and
should take care of the depreciation
This principle is applicable whether
the plant is owned by private cor
poration or by the city. From what
l know of the rates now charged for
electricity for lighting purposes, the
returns for the current consumed for
this purpose in Frederick city does
not more than accomplish this pur-
pose.
l am Informed that less than one
fifth of all the houses in Frederick
city are wired for electricity. There
fore, is it fair that all of the prop
erty in Frederick should be mort
gagged for the benefit of the one-fifth,
especially when it is disputed and,
to say the least, uncertain that this
additional burden on the entire com
munity will even materially benefit
the one-fifth who use electricity for
lighting?
1t must not be forgotten that the
II. and F. Railway company or its
predecessors have paid to the city of
Frederick on the city's share of it's
street paving over $4,000, large
proportion of which this company
was not required to pay under its
franchises.
l. M. MOTTER.