Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1919-08-09
.DeRIDDER TO VOTE OH
MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLY.

AAoA4@AA tAH Wal llt 4ttI Il. = 81
On August 9th the taxpayers of
DeRidS will express themselves on
the proposition to issue 100000 Sc
5 pei cent bonds. Tie proceeds ST
which are TO be used exclusively FOR
constructing a modern water supply
and pumping plant. and to combine
with this plant an electric light and
power system.
The mayor and board Of aldermen
realize that this proposition IS bv far
the most important undertaking that
DeRidder has attempted; and NJ Who
have investigated the business. find
that the conitions now existing IN the
City Of DeRidder, are ideal for munic-
lpal ownership and operation, and that
the building Of these plants mean imm-
edlate lasting benefits to the taxpayers
and citizens, both as regards a much
superior service, and as to financial
returns.
We desire to speak briefly concern.
ing municipal ownership and opera
ton. In former years it has been he
custom to grant private individuals and
corporations long term and attractive
franchises covering the operation Of
water. light and power utilities. These
franchises often contained burdensome
clauses and restrictions, which cost The
people thousands of dollars. and gave
no relief, except through courts of pro-
per jurisdiction.
The utility corporations. being more
expert n business, and possessing train
ed and technical advice. often won, or
succeeded in obtaining long delays,
pending final decision.
Legislatures. then. were appealed to,
and statutes were placed on the books.
preventing the granting BY a munci-
paity Of EXCLUSIVE franchises. and
fixing the period in which franchise
could be granted, as in this state, TO
not more than twenty-five years.
But this is not all. Private service
has not kept apace with the progress
of the times, and private rates and
tariffs have been so advanced, that the
trend of events during late years has
been towards municipal ownership
an operation embracing the most mod
ern business-like administration, and
carrying with it lowering Of rates.
better service. and a vastly increased
public street lighting at actual cost.
1t will be borne in mind that munich
pal plants are operated solely in the
interest of the taxpayers. who own
them, and that private plants cannot
borrow money as cheaply as a munic-
ipality, and furthermore have stock
dividends to meet.
The consulting engineers for the
City of DeRidder have made a special
4y Of water and light plant construc-
ton and operation. and it may be Of
interest to know that we have design
ed and built more than sixty such sys-
TENS IN the southern states. and that
these plants are succeeding, and BY no
amount Of argument or money con-
sideration could the taxpayers be per
suaded to give them over to private
interests.
One of the most important factors
in the modern plant is the so-called
Diesel type of internal combustion
engine, using low-grade distillate. or
crude oil, as a fuel.
1t may also be Of interest to say that
the writer has visited the factory of six
foremost builders of American Diessels,
and has gathered much Information
concerning their actual operation under
plant conditions.
We have found that some crude oil
engines now on the market are not
worthy of consideration nor use; we
have found Others to be Of the highest
economy and reliability.
At the present moment we are COM
sulting engineers for nineseen towns
and cities in Louisiana and Mississippi,
who are going to add to their already
existing oil engine equipment and sub
stitute the Diesel for power.
The pumping and electric plant pro-
! posed for DeRidder will be Of the most
modern construction, and We would be
pleased to have any interested citizen
inspect the plans. and the engineering
report. which is on file with the city
officials.