Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1917-12-20
BAxTER's PRESENT DAY TOPICS
"To the Editor of the News:

10 the VI tHt 4NGNo'
"The leading local topic now being
discussed by citizens of Baxter is the
one relating to the installation of a
new or increased water system. The
general opinion is it seems from a
casual inquiry that more complete
plant for the town is needed.
"This need is imperative more on
account of providing adequate fire
protection and to provide for prob
able sewer system than for house use
at the present time.
provisions for q sewer system
would be a subsequent issue and
would be a question to be decided by
the interested parties.
"The above sentiment touching up
on the above propositions and (most-
" in favor Of them) is wide spread
through out the town. The people of
Baxter are awakened for once to the
present and future progress of the
city. This awakening has stirred
them to think and the think is put
ting them into action.
''The present is the opportune
moment for accomplishments and pro-
gress. No citizen should be so reac-
ionary as to oppose any move tended
80 benefit the town. If we are to
rave these improvements and they
fFe to be made then the first of all
1zte question to be settled is as to how
and in what way or manner we are to
obtain them. There are two ways,
the one through private ownership
and the other through municipal
ownership. A private ownership
would necessitate the granting OF a
franchise for q term of years, say 70
to 25 years, rates to consumers would
be fixed as agreed upon at the time
of granting the franchise. These rates
in all probability would be as high
as now or higher and would not be
reduced at any future time. The cit
liens would have to pay the fixed
price for service rendered in addition
OF this the city or the citizens would
have to pay an annual fixed price for
all fire plugs. Should fire plugs be
provided for the protection of all the
city, the expense would be enormous
and would be burden upon the tax
payers. Should fire plugs be pro-
vided for the more important dis
tricts only, then an unfair condition
would exist by reason of the fact
that all property of the city corpora
ton would be equally taxed for the
maintainance of the fire plugs while
only a few would receive benefit.
'SThe promoters of the private plant
/. pfopose to furnish the fire plugs at
- cost of $4,000 each per annum
Thirty fire plugs would cost $1SOO.OO
per year or total of $36,OOO.OO foI
20 years which the taxpayers would
have to pay and continue to so do at
the end of that time if protection was
continued.
ITO cut down the amount Of plugs
would not remedy the matter because
the rate of cost for protection woulC
be at the same rate per plug and the
cost would be in proportion to the
benefit as the aggregate cost would
be reduced so in proportion the pro
ection benefits would be reduced.
Under q private franchise, the cit!
would own nothing and would nevel
own an interest, so long as the fran
chise continued. Still further, sup
pose the city grows and a sewer il
installed, there in that event addition
al charges would be made for sewel
or closet service, this would entai
three lines of charges, first, dOmesti
or strict house service; second, mr.
plug service and third, sewer service
The aggregate Of which would be un
satisfactory.
"The municipal plan would be pro
vided for through a bond issue, sa.
for S50,000.00 1--WE assume thi
amount merely to illustrate and draw
definite conclusions) these bonds cal
he issued for 20 years with prOvis
bn giving the city the option Of pay
1 ing of any part or all of said bonds
a At any interest period after the issu
has run years. These bonds can b
sold at or above par at AZ per cen
per annum hence the annual interes
would be $3.50, and would only ex
ceed the annual rental Of the thirt
ire plugs $3.50 a year. This differ
nee would be more than SAVED on &C
cunt Of the lower price at which tn
iizens would obtain service throug
municipal plant.
a sinking fund could be provide
|1r - commence the first year afte
Ne bond issue, this provision cOul
80 arranged as OF raise say $3.50
a = - 49, ..