Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-01-04
MUNICIPAL LIGHT
AND WATER PLANTS
FAVORED BY MAYOR
White Recites Example Of Eu-
gene Where City Owner
ship Has Paid

municipal water plant and municipal
light plant. He cited the example Of
Eugene with its municipal light plant
which is now returning profit OF
$1,0G0 per month to the city and is
furnishing electric energy at less than
one half of the price that prevailed
when tne city plant entered the field.
Mr.. White also advocated permanent
concrete bridges in place of the wood
en- ones and stated that city paving
plant next year would be able to put
down first class pavement at the low
est possible price.
THO message to the council follows:
The Mayors Message.
Gentlemen: In presenting my annual
message to you, first want to thank
the retiring council for their good work
OF the past year.
Tne work of the council has been
marked by the utmost harmony.
We nave not always agreed on every
question that has been presented here
but every member has been sincere in
his views and if defeated has taken
his defeat and continued the work to
the best advantage of the city.
We have gone through the year and
accomplished results that nave counted
anG will benefit the city in the fu-
ture.
A few years ago, we had outstanl-
i1g endorsed warrants amounting from
S25,00G.00 to $40,000.00 at the end of
each year but this year we will close
Our books without any warrants out
standing against the general or street
funds which is certainly a great result
Decruse We have been forced to meet
Obligations that were not forseen one
year ago and no provision made in the
budget at that time.
Nnile our tax rate is high, there is
gUiDg to be very little chance to show
much reduction for number of years
on account of meeting the bonds that
have been voted on the city by the
voters and over which the council has
no control.
If it was not for our bonded indebt
edness, we would be able to make O
very low levy, not exceeding eight
mills, which about covers the actual
running expenses of the city.
Tax Levy Is Low,
Even with our large bonded indebt
edness, our tax levy is lower than cities
of similar size in the northwest
We should practice the strictet econ,
omy during the coming year but moi
false economy that would hurt the city
in the conduct Of business.
Acting under the charter amend
ment voted by the people, the city .lur
ing the past year mas constructed about
100000 worth Of main and latera
sewers and at great saving to the
taxpayers.
This work should be continued as il
has proven success in every way and
has far exceeded results hoped for.
We have secured better work and al
a saving Of thousands of dollars an5
best of all, have been enabled to heir
home labor and especially men witt
families, at time when work is scarce
and it was essential that work be pro
vided for their relief.
Acting in conjunction, the Engineer
ing department and street eommItte,
have built number of permanent
bridges at great saving over contract
prices.
This system of only building per
manent bridges should be followed our
so that in a few years, we will he re
lieved of this large expense and hav,
bridges and eulverts that will stanC
for life time
1t is simply throwing money away tC
build wooden bridges that are only
good for few years at the best anC
always source of expense and dan
ger.
For City Paving Plant.
From all Indications, the city will
have more street paving the coming
year than in tne past year and step.
should be provided so that the city ear
install plant and do this work.
From the results that this county ha.
had and other cities in the northwest
who have tried it, we should be able to
lay pavement taat win stand any elias.
of wear and usage at far less cost
than we have been paying under the
contract system.
And we viii know that we are get
ting value for what we pay out because
under the city it will be to the interest
of the city to see that only the best
pavement is laid in order to keep tae
maintenance cost down as low as pos
sible.
We should as soon as we can ascer.
tain about what we will have TO pave
this year, take steps to secure plant
so that wnen the season opens we will
be able to commence work and com
plete II during the good weather.
have been informed that we ear
secure a new street 10 the fair grounds
without cost TO the city and that the
owners of the property are willing
To pave the street as soon as opened
and the work can be done.
New Street 10 Fairgrounds.
From all indications there is nc
chance to secure the consent Of the
property owners along the Fair Ground
road TO paving and | believe that the
city should drop this street as means
OK reaching the fair grounds, open the
new street and have il paved by the
coming fall.
This matter should be taken up al
cncc 80 that all arrangements can be-
made and the work completed in ample
time.
the new street contemplated would
conrcct with an improved street and
would only require few blocks OF
pavement TO connect the city with the
fair grounds and would furnish a paved
rord that has long been needed and
that this city should see is completed
| trust that this matter will be look
cd after promptly and that either the
street committee or a1special committee
will take tho matter In eaanoe anl