The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1920-07-09
LIGHT And WATER
RATE RAISE is
FURTHER DISCUSSED

Further inquiry regarding the cost
and income of our plant shows the
following:
The present income, paid in cash
monthly, is about $4,000, and the
present high cost running from $4,000
to $4,000 per month, leaving balance
Of about $500 per month or $4,000 per
year.
The books show that during the
past two years there were sold about
100000 worth of light and water with
O. profit Of $4,000 or more, of which
$4,000 was paid out for interest. No
depreciation, however, was figured
from cost of plant.
Allowing, say, $4,000 per year for
interest and $4,000 for sinking fund.
a total Of $4,000, or $4,000 more than
the plant is making at present, our
increase to cover all this should not
IT. to exceed 25 per cent, which would
give the city $4,000 more for the
year, or a total Of $4,000 profit, and
still leave about $4,000 more than
what is needed to cover all expense
attached to the plant. Why make the
citizens pay $4,000 more, or double
what is needed, with this so per cent
raise?
The commissioners had contract
for oil at 81 .O2 per barrel. Was this
contract cancelled because the bills
were not met when due? II these bills
were paid like all other city bills are
laid, when the officials get ready,
then it is not surprising that the con-
tract was cancelled. Surely there was
income enough to meet current ex-
penses when due or even before.
Merchants generally know the paying
conditions of our city and that is the
reason | am asking this question. In
that case the city, Of course, has no
recourse, but # it was cancelled lust
because the cost was raised to the
contractor, then the city should be
able to recover the excess cost now
being paid.
Why is our plant, one of the best
in the country, run without one re-
sponsible head? A good, practica!
electrical engineer, paid, say, $500 per
month to run 10th the inside and out
side, could make the city a consider
able amount far above the cost of
such wages, save our plant and give
better service. At present there is an
inside and an outside man, both no
doubt good men in their place, BUT
each Is blaming the other for trou-
bles and in the melee the citizens suf-
fer for it. !, For weeks, motor opera
tors Of the city have been in constant
danger Of tearing up their machinery.
AT one moment there is hardly enough
current to turn over a motor and the
next moment it Is on full, tearing I'D
things generally unless watched
closely. Battery charging plants must
have man constantly watching their
ameters to keep a constant current.
ASK any man running q motor or q
charging plant. Such inconsistent
running OF the plant jeopardizes the
machinery Of the plant as we'll as pri-
vate property and our plant should
not be responsible for it, especially
when we consider the fact that with
the oil burners installed there Is no
variation in the pressure on the boil
ers and should be none at the cylin-
der of the engine. One man, looking
after both inside and outside would
save the city great deal of money
Was our plant ever out of commission
when Ratio ran it? Not once in over
four years, and all he had was Junk
to work with. at that.
Referring to country current I.
costs certain amount to deliver light
In the downtown districts close to
the plant. In Dixieland it costs a.
least 1-S more and in the Lake Hol-
lingsworth district and further out it
costs more than what the city was
charging for it. and they get no money
TIL the lines are worn out at that,
WHY this generosity at the expense
Ct the taxpayers for those who get