The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1915-03-04
MUNICIPAL
PLANTS PAY
SUCH is THE CONCLUSION OF
PROF. II. B. MATHEWS IN
FORUM PAPER
A FAIR DISCUSSION Of THE SUBJECT
Was Given by Prof. Mathews and Dem.
onstrated That the City Plants o.
Are Paying Their Own Way

nv VoyiuS IuST S"U way
1t was the writer's privilege to be
present at the last meeting Of the
Forum, which was held at the college
on Thursday evening. A number of
visitors had been invited, as the paper
of the evening was of especial interest.
This paper was read by Prof. H. B.
Mathews and was entitled, The NUM-
cipal Plants of Bookings" On this
particular subject there is probably no
better authority in the city than Prof.
Mathews. He has served the city as
mayor and councilman and he has al
ways taken much interest in and made
a study of the city plants. The paper
was an able n and it vas certainly
very interesting. The professor did
not jump at conclusions, as some have
in discussing this subject, but he had
the figures to prove every statement
that was made. The paper was es-
pecially interesting because the sub
ject is one that is ever before the
minds of the people of Brookings, and
we regret that every taxpayer in the
city could not have been present. Prof.
Mathews showed that, taking every
thing into consideration, the plants are
a success.
AS is the custom of the Forum the
paper was followed by a discussion by
the members. This did not bring out
any additional light on the subject, as
the matter had been very thoroughly
covered, but the views were interest
ing. All agreed that they had received
much valuable information and there
was general surprise that the plants
were in such a satisfactory condition.
For the information of u readers
we give the principal points brought
out by Prof. Mathews:
The paper was divided into eight
heads, viz:
1. Condition of the various plants.
z. are tney paying
8. Do they pay as well as under pri-
vate ownership?
4. Are they a burden upon the tax
payers?
5. Service as compared with other
cities of about same size under private
or corporation ownership.
6. Does municipal ownership help in
other ways?
Z. Development of municipal owner
ship in Brookings.
8. Suggestions as to improvements,
etc.
The paper answered these questions
as follows:
The electric light plant is in fairly
good condition and well kept up but
the plant is overloaded and enlarging
or rebuilding has become a necessity
for efficient service. The matter is
under consideration by city council at
the present time.
The waterworks is in fair condition
and the water supply is sufficient. The
installation of a motor for pumping is
a saving economically.
The W system is in good condi-
ton and the septic tank since it's re-
cent cleaning is working satisfactorily.
The telephone exchange is in good
condition. The lines overloaded and
new switchboard and new cable are
needed. Care should be exercised in
purchasing to get up-to-date switch
board and system. This is under
consideration by city council at pres
ent time.
The heating plant is in very good
condition and doing all it can without
additional boiler capacity.
The sewer system does not pay in
a financial way. There are no finan-
citl returns whatever. but big dividend
in the way of health and comfort. The
system was built by assessment on ad-
jacent property, with $15,O0O.00 bonds
for outlet and septic tanks.
The service was declared to be as
efficient as that of other towns of the
same size and expressions from sew
eral present who had lived recently in
other towns was to the affect that u
service was better. When the electric
light plant is rebuilt or remodeled 1t
will be more efficient for 1t is now
carrying too great a load.
II is as easy to get improvements
under our system IS under private
ownership.
Is a benefit Ia other ways-helps to
advertise city. Decrease In city war.
wants rear by rear was given.