The Springdale news. [volume] (Springdale, Ark.) 1887-1990, 1916-12-15
LOOK At SLOAN SPRINGS,

The story of how Sloan Springs, Arkansas, solved
the problem of providing resources for public i'm
provements in most liberal without
ing tits people affords forcble illustration of what
public spirited may do for their city by apply
ing business methods and Harvesting public service
profits to city building. Sloan Springs is little
city of between $500 and 5000 people, but its city
problems in proposition and in like kind to those of
city of 10000 people such Fort Smith.
Six years ago, Sloan Springs $4,000 indebt
its public services That year, in the language
of one of their leading citizens there elected
city council of the best business and from that
year to the present we have kept of affairs in
power
Within three years by of municipal
ership of the and electric light plants they
have wiped out their entire debt and completely re-
built their municipal plants and installed
hnery and the plants entirely out of debt. What
has been the result in behalf Of Sloan Springs and
its operation of its ctyowned plants between 1913
and the close of 1916? o. P. Maxwell cashier of the
State Bank of Sloan Springs and one of the who
have made possible the present city situation gives the
Southwest American the results in summary of the
three years water and light plant contributions to
city growth and betterment:
"Since 1913 we have built $4,000 municipal build
ing of the net earnings of the light and water
plant and made extensions in both departments. Our
gross income from these public service plants is
approximately $4,000 year, operating and mainten-
expenses about $4,000 leaving a net balance of
$4,000 year profit In fact the net profit of the
plants exceeds that amount
From reports of visitors that city the South
west American is advised that. in addition to that
three story municipal building, they have installed
municipal library maintain municipal hall and soc
ial center and also installing notable public
park and improvements In addition to the
above accomplishments what has city control of pub
lie service done and what they now doing for
that city?
In considering the following public services,
member that Sloan Springs first got ownership of
It's and light plants 1t then used the profits
of those plants to pay their cost. As
the city owned the plants clear of debt, the plants
themselves began taking the place of general city
taxation in maintaining city government and city
betterments.
To-day the water and light plant of Sloan Springs
are lighting the streets with almost twice many
street lights Fort Smith has-four hundred (4oo1
modern lights absolutely free of cost to the
city. They boast the best lighted city in Arkansas
with white way covering every business street
They supply fifty CD fire hydrants free, and
free water for flush tanks. Not only these
but these public utilities supply free light, heat and
water for the municipal building and city
hospital free light and for the public schools
the Arkansas Conference college, and the convention
auditorium. Free water is also furnished all city
churches
And the little city Of Sloan Springs furnishes
electricity lower than charged Fort Smith
consumers. 1t cost more than twice more per kilo-
watt hour manufacture and distribute electricity
in so small a service, and yet Sloan Springs resi-
dents pay maximum of 12l2 cents and power con
only 212 cents for current.
Sloan Springs in addition to securing these free
public services owns free of debt the two valuable
plants which Will keep supplying the net profit
for more such city building enterprises. Can that
little city do what Fort Smith cannot? Is it better
supplied with trustworthy of character and pub
lie spirit and devotion than is Fort Smith?
Surely someone has made a mistake. In the Sun
day issue of the Southwest American, under Prairie
Grove date line the following words IN the
noon the girls basket ball defeated the girls Of
Snrino1ale hv a score of2 TO 7" From all informa-