Arizona republican., 1916-10-23
Where the People
 May Have Hearing
MunipicaI Ownership of Light An
 Gas

 To the Editor of The Republican: That the people of Phoenix are in- terested in the coming bond election next Monday, was demonstrated last Friday night when the largest crow ever gathered on the city plaze of Phoenix. came out to hear this issue debated
 The importance of this meeting flr exceeded any previous gathering of this kind and every citizen of PhOe- nix who has not attended these mass meetings in the interest of municipal ownership, is earnestly requested 10 carefully post himself on this issue so he can vote intelligently on the bonds issue today.
 The business men who are behind this movement and who are giving their time and energy to municipal ownership of our gas and electricity. have not as much money to spend as is at the disposal of the P. c. & r. Co. but if we can get the correct information before the voters, we know the issue will carry.
 Municipal ownership is not new experiment. It has been tested and tried and is working successful in 1 hundreds of cities of our country. If you are not already familiar with ! it. we call your attention to our city 1 water system.
 | It is being handled economically | and efficiently. Not only has the cost of water been reduced to thA consumer since it passed from pri 1 vate ownership, but il is paying over thirty per cent on tho original in- vestment Besides the value of the plant has been increased from $500, 1 000 to $500 000 these earnings are be- 1 ing used to defray other expenses of the city.
 The P. G. & E. co. try to make i you believe that if this bond issue carries. and the lighting system and gas plant is taken over by the city, ] that politics will run riot and our light and gas will cost more.
 The writer believes that the able 1 management now behind our water system can handle the lights and gas.
 We believe our city commissioners and city manager will be equal to the new situation when it is created. No one believes there is one cent Of graft in our city hall under the pres ent management, so why would there Ire when We enlarge their responsibil ities? We also contend that the cit izens of Phoenix can manage their own business as well as Bonbright & Co, of New York City can manage 1t for them.
 1t costs the city of Phoenix $3600 to manage it's municipal owned water system, but 1t costs s75,000 for the management of its private owned gas and electric system, S12,O00 of which goes to overhead expenses to non- residents
 Notwithstanding after deducting all the enormous expense of the r. G. &' E. Co.,, their net profits last years as sworn to by the corporation commits sion was 4 1-2 per cent on $1,916.000 while the $400,000 bonds to be voted upon draw 1-2 per cent. It does not need a sharp pencil to figure the ad- vantage to the tax payer.
 The statement has been made that the S60000 to be voted upon will not be sufficient to put in a gas and electric light plant. MT. Korner. tn, expert engineer. of Pasadena, who is general manager of the municipa owned plant of that city. was em- ployed by the corporation commission as an expert to examine the prop erty of the P. G. & F. Co.,, and al its assets. After spending weeks go- ing thoroughly over their property MT. Korner reported it to be worti S5S2.S41. MT. Mason. vice president of the P. c. x D. Go. stated upon his own appraisement filed with the cor poration commission. February 3, 1915 the actual value of the property own cd by the P. G. & E. Co. was $636,- 079. These reports are on file at tho office of the state corporation com mission and can be seen by any one
 In municipal ownership there is nc preferred stock, no wheels within wheels. no companies within com ranies. no high priced lawyers, sec retarys and presidents living in New