Arizona republican., 1916-10-18
A Municipal Light and Power Plant

4 Municipal Light and Power Plant
 The people of Phoenix that is those of them who qualified to vote at such election will be given a opportunity say October 23 whether they will bonds in the of s6OOOOO for the instaa tion purchase of a city lighting and power plant The Republican has given this thoughtful sideraton and has brought it sentiment in favor of municipal ownership of public utilities.
 We are aware that while such municipal enter prises proposed have failed in cities, in others, such as Pasadena, California. they have succeeded Failure and do result from geographical conditions but political and social conditions so that the question to be considered by the voters is whether those conditions in Phoenix are such as promise success for such enterprise here.
 During the past few years there has been alto geher much of politics in the commission form of government in this city. and do not believe that citizens afford to the slightest risk of political manipulation of the proposed municipal plant Therefore in favor of the present bond issue.
 Objection has also been rightly made that the proposed be raised s6OOOOO is inadequate; that it would provide plant sufficient for Phoenix; that it would large enough to purchase plant the Pacific Gas Sl Electric company is first desirable that should be done avoid the homie waste that duplication of plants would involve.
 What the city needs and what a majority of the citizens would be satisfied are rates steadily improving service, not two light and gas plants. That the present rates too high is evi dent to us after searching and impartial tnvestiga tion the subject. thing standing the way of lower that the overhead charges of the company altogether too high the amount annual ly charged off to depreciation is also probably high. These items figure in the basis on which the people should not be compelled to pay.
 With these matters remedied it should be possible for the company under its present efficient manage to materially and promptly reduce rates and good return the actual value of it's prop critics The corporation commission has held that the company should be entitled income of eight ten per cent the actual physical value of it's in vestment and We believe that with these we have mentioned properly adjusted, much lower rate would produce such return. We believe the com pany would find it only possible but profitable make an exceptionally low rate for electricity for cooking. which would at the same time develop an increased of energy and would also develop increased friendlness the part of the public
 The company whatever it's position now, has earned full measure of the good will of it's patrons. Its past ventures in the newspaper field and it's actv ty in politics have not been it's advantage the matter of gaining retaining public confdenceAn- other obstacle end is the form of its contract the obscure rates with their reference to peak leads" and HI P. of motors installed" which are technical and confusing the ordinary The patron is left to grope, and the in the dark is naturally suspicious In place of such a form tract. there should be simple understandable one stating that up to the consumption of so many kwh per month the rate would be much per kwh and thereafter lower rate graded down according of energy used
 1T the forthcoming should result in the de. feat of the bond shall at once advocate the appointment by the city commission of a committee of five property owners with full power to investigate thoroughly and negotiate with the company and then recommend some definite of action. The com mittee should be composed of members in whose ability Judgment integrity the people have con- fidence-such men, for example as Dr. w C. Ellis and Dr. Ancil Martin This committee should be furnished with sufficient funds by the city commits sion to make thorough investigation and for the employment of experts, and should report without delay what reduction in rates and what improvement in form of contract the company prepared to make
 The committee should also go thoroughly into the question Of the probable of an adequate muni- cpal plant the price and terms which the Pacific Gas & Electric company would be prepared to sell and to cover in their report all facts which would be Of interest to the people in connection with mun- cpally owned plant together with definite plan for the operation of such plant, free from the evils of political control
 With such report before them the people could act inteigently and justly