The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1920-04-29
Mayor Joachim Declares That He Would Be
Glad to Confer with Racine on Inter-
City Action on Question.
GOOD PROPOSITION STEINBER(
Racine Getting Ready for Action but 1t Is Said that Ra
cine Would Welcome Help of Kenosha in
Taking Over Plant for Two Cities.

81 would like mighty to see Just
what kind of a proposition could be
arranged for Racine and Kenosha to
unite in the purchase of the gas plant
serving the two cities. l believe that
such proposition would be decidedly
interesting to Kenosha. know that
the city council would be ready to give
IT careful consideration"
This was the view of Mayor John G.
Joachim on the latest suggestion that
Racine and Kenosha go together, pool
their interests, and buy the gas plant
Of the Wisconsin Gas and Electric
company, which is located in Racine
and which is serving the two cities.
The Racine common council Us now
considering the purchase of the plant
and it is expected that the railroad
commission will put a valuation on
the plant in the very near future.
Might Work Out Joint Problem.
Racine men have suggested inform
ally that Racine might like to have
the aid Of Kenosha in the buying Of
the plant. The people in Racine have
voted by a very large majority for
municipal ownership of the gas plant.
They are now insisting that their ex-
pressed idea be carried out. Mayor
Armstrong recommended action by the
council at the reorganization meeting
held few days ago. 1t is pretty GER
tain that the gas for Kenosha is going
to be continued to be made in Racine
for years, and if Kenosha expects to
get anything like municipal ownership
or management Of this utility the
union with the city of Racine opens
the way
Mayor Joachim declared that he
would be glad to call a meeting Of
the council to meet with the council
leaders of Racine and discuss the
problem.
Steinberg Says "Good Proposition"
Engineer E, ]. steinberg of the Wis
cousin railroad commission, who was
in Kenosha on Thursday, declared the
proposed union of the cities to buy the
gas plant "a good proposition"
al can't see any reason why such a
plan should not work big improve
nent for both cities" declared Engi-
neer Steinberg. II do not know any
thing about what the valuatiSn Of
the plant may be at this time, but this
could be easily,.found out by an appeal
60 the commission. The gas plant is
q utility separate from the other uti-
Mties operated by the company and the
cities coupled take it over and operate
1t without taking over lot OF inter
locking obligations and utilities.
am not advising anything, but it is
my opinion that the plan should be
one that would appeal for close inves-
tigation. With city ownership, the
trouble which now besets both Keno
sha and Racine might be considerably
reduced. Of course, you would have
complaints under any kind of a man.
agement but possibly many Of them
could be eliminated"
A "Cost-Plus" Proposition.
It is understood by the officials that
If the plant is bought it must be
bought at cost, plus price, the plus
being the considerable amount which
must be expended to rebuild the prop
erty and to get it into condition tx
meet all the demands Of Racine ant
Kenosha and other smaller cities
which are now being served from thu
plant The rapid growth of Racine
and Kenosha will certainly make /
very greatly increased demand for ga
during the next few years.
Engineers have declared that the ga
plant Of the Wisconsin Gas and Flee
trio company comes nearer being
sufficient to meet demands than an!
other utility under the management
Of the company, but it is admitted tina
any great increase in demands mad
upon it would demand !. considerable
increase in equipment.