Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1920-04-13

earnings for plant betterments and ex
tensions. That is contrary to the rate
making plan OF public utilities. which
is to keep capital value high for the
purpose OF procuring rates.-Statement
OF Certified Accountant
SO. In the city OF Holyoke, Mass, In
IL years OF municipal ownership, the
citizens saved S1,431 ,333.45 In light
and power bills, 1901, $3.50 In street
lighting; and S474.l596S In gas bills
or total Of nearly two and one-quar-
ter million dollars, as compared with
what they would have paid at the rates
offered by the private company.
50. At Springfield, Ill.,, after combin-
ing their water and light plant. the In
terest or rates OF return on the money
invested In the light and power plant
return ON the total investment in the
water works was 90 per cent
90. At Seattle, Wash, in 1902 the
citizens were paying 20 cents per X.
w. hour for electric current. The agi-
tation for n municipal plant was fol-
lowed Immediately by reduction to
II cents. Other re ,ctions followed
after the city plant was built and op,
Grated In competition with the private
plant. The Seattle plant is earning
dividends In addition TO the earnings
OF the plant itself, OF at least 81 100000
annually in reduced rates caused by
this competition.
o. That municipal ownership i'm
proves labor conditions Is attested to
by the fact that labor organizations
ire almost unanimously in favor OF
municipal ownership.
90. Virginia, MINI, has made its third
reduction in light rates since buying
the lighting plant.
90. Richmond, Va, owns its gas,
water and light plant The gas Is sold
Mt so cents per 1,000 cubic feet. This
gives a net profit of $271 ,S60.51, al
though the plant is maintained In
high-class condition and has paid for
itself many times over out OF the pro-
fits. The city still charges interest,
depreciation and taxes against the
plant, totaling $123,052.S0, leaving net
profits of $14SS17.S1.
o.. Richmond, Va, has owned its gas
plant since 1852. Since that time II |
has reduced rates. paid for itself out
OF its earnings and turned into the
city treasury over one and one-half
million dollars.
90. The average rate charged by mu-
nicipal gas plants In Virginia In 1917
was $1.09. The average rate for prl-
IN IN ,,lartc .rou cf Ia, |
tie average municipal rate for gas was
SIPS and the average private rate was
S1.40.
90. ut Is the consensus OF public
opinion here that the city was wise to
build the gas plant, and nobody wants
n change to private ownership."--R.E II.
Director OF Public Utilities at
st. Petersburg, Fla.
ga. II will say that In my opinion
the municipal operation Of the gas
plant has been very satisfactory to the
in that II Is furnishing gas
1t n very low rate, much below the
average for cities Of this size at the
present time. We have not raised our
rates during the war times."-D. A.
Reed, Manager, Water and Light De-
partment, Duluth, MINI.
9S. "An alderman seldom has had
sufficient experience and legal train
ng to prepare franchise himself, and
N the absence Of some consistent the
Try OF franchise oplicy, he has per.
nitted the attorneys for public service
corporations to draft the franchises
hey wanted and present them for his
lpproyal"-D. +. Wilcox.
90. an the Cleveland gas case the
violence showed that tine company was