The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1915-01-06

der the old management If the water In
the standpipe fell below certain
quantity. This fact provoked grea,
deal of discussion and censure was
readily lodged against the management
at that time. We wonder why some OF
these patriots do not comment on the
fact that the property of the city has
been without protection for several
days on account of the want of water
carried in the standpipe. Inquiry has
been made by a great many as to why
there is no water pressure in different
parts of the city. The explanation is
that water has not been pumped into
the standpipe.
No better service was ever furnish
ed the patrons of light company than
was furnished by the plant when priv
ately owned Every effort was made
to provide lights and water adequate
for all reasonable demands and yet the
owners Of the plant were viii
fled, slandered and abused for years
when the service they furnished was
far superior to what we have had
since the reform city council took
charge of it. We wonder why the Bull
letin does not join in the complaints
Of our citizens on account of the sery-
ice which is given us. 1t must GER
taihly turn deaf ear to all complaints.
We, are sure that if the old manage
men was now in charge OF the plant
and such service as we are now gett-
ing were furnished that the Bulletin
would cry out in righteous indignari
.tion against the outrageous servise at
forded. "a.
or course, the excuse will be heard
that the city is changing over to the
new system and that this fact accounts
for the poor lights and poor service
but that claim will hardly meet the
criticism for the failure to furnish wat
er for the needs of the city, street
lights in the morning and residence
lights during hours when the light
should be on.
We have, said what we have stated
in this article to call attention to the
fact Of the injustice visited upon the
prior management rather than to COM
plain OF those now in charge of the
plant. We realize that no electric
light plant 10 able to give the best Of
service at all times because there are
occasions when the operation Of the
plant fails with the best Of attention.
We are satisfied that some members
of the city council, If they are dispos-
ed to be influenced by facts, will grow
more charitable toward other people
after they have enjoyed che experience
of operating an electric light plant for
a few years. We hear much complaint
by citizens because the city council
does not take the people into its con-
fdence by a detailed statement of the
finances Of the municipal plant. The
people are concerned and anxious to
know how the money raised by the
sale of the bonds has been spent and
why the rates for lights are not re-
.dlced as, promised. Why the neccss-
ity for increasing the tax, as long as
the rates have not been reduced?
These are matters that should engage
the. attention of the city council and a
full and detailed report should be pub
lished.
1t was. easy enough for the council
to increase its popularity by unjustly
complaining of the management when
tho plant Was privately owned. The
only way its popularity can now be
maintained is to improve the service
and furnish lights cheaper to the pat
fons than under the old management.
II this is not done the people will have
reason to complain and have already
expressed their disapproval OF what is
being done.