The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1916-01-18
MQv0r Repieu,S
CONTINUED From Page one.)

(ConIln0eo
tentative of either waiting until we
could increase the tax levy, or by the
issuance of bonds. After due consid-
Grafton, the administration. backed up
your honorable body's unanimous sup
port, decided to issue bonds as
means of securing funds for the car
rying out the program aforesaid.
Buys Aerial Truck.
With this policy launched we were
able last year to get for our fire de-
partment one of the best up-to-date
and most modern fire trucks that could
be found in any city in this or any
other country. We were able to build
and did build more permanent streets
than had ever been built before in any
one year, and which policy If con-
tinued for several years will place
Richmond at the head of the list OF
those cities who pride themselves on
their wellbuilt and permanent streets.
We were able to rebuild and repair
great number Of our improved streets
with the material taken from those
which were permanently made. We
were able to make needed repairs on
some Of our public buildings, to paint
all of our bridges and to re-floor some
OF the same. We extended our sewer
system, built a great many cement
sidewalks, curbs and cutters and a
number Of cement alleys. i
The cost OF these betterments for
the city was a bond issue of $6O,OOO.OO,
but very few Of our citizens would go
back to the previous conditions for
many dollars beyond that sum.
r>RNAPAtiAA2
The legal department of our city has
had two years of busy warfare batting
against the attempts of our public
service corporations to place upon the
people of this city unjust rates for
water, and for electricity for both light
and power. The most determined con-
test was that with the Light, Heat and
Power company, each step OF which
you are all familiar. and which had
your united support from first to last.
We can recall the various step in this
controvers. with our competition IN
electricity, of how when we were con-
sidering the question of lower rates, 1t
was suggested that we purchase the
other plant. OF how this proposition
was studied from every angle, and
after due consideration had practically
the united support of your honorable
body, of all Of the officials connected
with this administration, and of the
special committee of citizens who were
appointed to help us in the above
named contest.
The fight on the fixing the purchase
price before the Public Service Com
mission was hard fought from begin
ming to end and resulted in said COM
&sxyf~ for
said utility Of $174,155.O0 with a
reasonable compensation for additions
made since July 1, 1915. We have de-
cided that said sum Is just and reason
able and we will be able in the next
few weeks to turn over the amount OF
purchase money to the Light, Heat and
Power company and acquire their
property.
Years VIII Justify Act.
II is our firm belief that very few
years will show the wisdom OF this
action and will be looked upon with
pride by each of you as one Of the
best accomplishments Of your official
career.
In one years time, with the money
now on hand, this plant can be paid
for. In another year the bonded In
debtedness against said plant can be
secured by the establishment Of a sink
ing fund to take care of said bonds
when due. Then will the city be in
position to make such low rate for
electricity for both light and power
that will be equaled by no other city in
the middle west and at the same time
be able to turn into the city's treas
ury large sum each year, which can
either be used for public improve
ments or for the purpose of lowering
our taxes. And all of this done with
out using one cent of the peoples
money, or of the least increase In the
way Of taxes.
Advises Motorixation.
The experience of the last few years
has proven the great difference in the
cost of maintenance of the motor
driven fire-truck. We would therefore
recommend that our entire fire depart
ment be motorized this year, not only
as q money-saving proposition, but as
a means of giving better fire protec.
ton to each and all Of our citizens.
Along this line OF motortzation. we
would also recommend a combintion
ambulance and patrol wagon In place
Of the old-fashioned, out-0f-date, horse
drawn ambulance which is now In use.
In the matter Of building Of streets
let us bear in mind that the perman-
ent street is the street of the future.
that 1t is q useless expenditure OF
money to build water-bound macadam
or gravel streets, and that even ma
cadam with binder can not stand up
under the strain Of heavy travel, and
will sO0uor or later he an exOonSo on