The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1919-09-02
) o . . g . o o o o o o o o o
PRAISE FOR GREENWOOD

Greenwood Index-Journal.
Under the caption, "15 Cents in
Greenwood, so Cents in Spartan
burg" the Spartanburg Journal, in
an editorial in the issue of August
26, says some very flattering things
about Greenwood in general, and es-
pecially about our water and light
system, giving some interesting COM
parsons with the system in operation
in Spartanburg.
However, we trust that the state
ment that Greenwood Gin population
about one-sixth the size of Spartan
burg" is a typographical error, as
we are quite sure that Major Hemp
hill is better Informed in regard to
the population of both cities. Even
though, it is said, 'its situation can
not be fairly compared with the Chief
City of the Piedmont" presumably
Spartanburg,) the writer evidently
has sincere appreciation for the
merits Of Greenwood.
The entire editorial follows:
"Greenwood is one of the most
progressive towns in the State. It's
growth in recent years has been
nothing short of marvellous. In pop
ulation it is only about one-sixth, the
size of Spartanburg; in resources It
is not nearly so great, nor in situa-
ton can it be compared fairly with
the chief City of the Piedmont. But
in public spirit, in community enter
prise, in substantial achievement,
there is no other town in the South
more deserving admiration. Thirty
years ago real estate in Greenwood
was sold by the acre today it is sold
by the front foot at prices that would
make the pioneers tuyn in their
graves if they kenw what had hap
pened since they went away. With
all the improvements and convent
ences and equipment of towns ten
times the size, it has won distinc-
ton in the management of public
utilities that might we'll excite the
envy of other communities in this
part of the country; of Spartanburg,
for example. The municipal govern
ment of Greenwood consists of
mayor and six wardens, three COM
missioners of public works and six
members Of the board Of health. The
purpose of these present observations
is not to write complete story OF
all that Greenwood is that would be
worth telling; but to suggest that
Greenwood could teach Spartanburg
some very useful lessons on the wa
ter and lighting problems that have
caused much discussion Gin our
midst" as the saying goes,
'sIn Greenwood the electric light
and water works plant is owned by
the municipality. In Spartanburg
the two services are separated. The
lighting of the city is provided by a
private corporation and the water is
supplied by a municipal plant. In
Greenwood water of the purest quail
ity is supplied by nine Artesian wells
yielding 100000 gallons daily at a
cost to consumers of from cents to
13 1-2 cents the 1000 gallons; the
electric lights cost from a 1-2 cents
to 7.2 cents per K. w., day current,
unlimited.
"The municipal water and electric
light plant in Greenwood was estab-
lished in 1898, when bonds, to. the
of $4,000 were issued. Since
that time the town council has ap-
for the completion, exten-
sion and maintenance of the system
$17,35S.70, making the total cost of
the plant from the inception of the
enterprise to the first Of January of
the present year s57,358.7O. The
value of the plant, because of the
additions made by the actual earn
ings, is now stated officially as
S177,262.96.
The water rates within the munich
pal limits are: For 10000 gallons
the month, per 1000 gallons, Is
cents; all over 10000 gallons per
month, per 1000 gallons, IL IL
cents; special contracts are made for
large quantities. A cash discount is
allowed on all water and light bills
if paid by the 10th Of the month fol-
towing the service.
"The lighting rates in Greenwood
are: For the first 100 K. w. per
month, per K. W., 8 cents; for the
next 400 K. W. per month, per K. W.