The Cordele dispatch. (Cordele, Ga.) 19??-1971, 1916-05-24
NOW FOR THE BONDS.


Ter of issuing 100000 worth of bonds
to be used in the construction of its
own electric lighting and power plant
With the proper disposition of details
that must follow, this thing ought to
be carried without great opposition
1t has not been very long since the
voters expressed themselves as strong
" in favor of owning and operating
their own plant Not a great num-
Der have changed their minds on the
general principle.
If the Dispatch had its own way
about the matter, it would first lay
plans that would give the people only
good business men to have to do with
the investment of the money. 1t
would go just 81 step further and pro
vide a way of disposing of the inter
ests of the present lighting and pow
er system without confscation of its
property.
No voter, however, will have
cause to presume that these things
are not going to be done. Two power
plants would not prove financially
successful. Foreign owned property,
ought not to be kicked out without
ceremony. Where it is possible. ii
should have the greatest encourage
ment liberality shown. And good
business men will be needed to han,
die the problems that will arise.
Those who are planning the issue
will at the beginning of the campaign
set up the claim that the present own
ers come with their eyes open and
that the city is well able to own its
plant and pay for it out of the profits
that will accrue from the sale of light.
ing and power current at rates lower
than those prevailing now in Cordele.
The claim will be made that a saving
of over half the several thousand dol
lars spent in lighting the city now will
accrue and great economy can be main
tanned in the operation of both the
lighting and water plants from one
power station.
1t will be urged that the present
water station now has ample facilities
with which to keep all power and
lighting current fully up to the needs
of the community for several years
to come and operating expenses need
be but trifle more than those already
required for the water plant.
1t will be argued that the matter of
operating at profit is fully demonstrate
ed in the present water system whicE
has afforded very handsome profit
each year under municipal ownership
and control and at the same time a
very low water cost has prevailed
The question that will be up to the
voter is whether he will join in get
ting an issue of 100000 i'll bonds with
which the city may equip itself to sup
ply its own current for both lighting
and power. The matter of disposal
of the present power plant, as it is
now understood, will not in the cleo
ton become an issue. 1t is not CON
sidered an absolute necessity that the
full 100000 asked be spent all at a
time, but only such portions as will
be necessary to make the creditable
start will be needed Other portions
of the full issue, it is suggested, may
go through a period of years for i'm
promevents.
1t will be argued that better street
lights are now a public necessity, and
the promoters of the public ownership
idea figures that it will take $4,000
to $4,000 a year at the present costs
to furnish these lights. 1t will also
be urged that in keeping with other
cities our size, we should have the
white way" and under present ar
rangements such improvements would
prove too heavy a tax on the public
funds. City officials declare that at
present costs better street lights and
the white way" cannot be had but
such improvements would not burden
the tax payers if the lighting plant
were owned and operated by the city.
Believing with all sincerity in these
improvements, the Dispatch is commit