The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-04-28
AN IMPORTANT FACTOR

AN IMPORTANT FACTOR
In considering plans to solve the problem of adequate
water supply for Bismarck the City Commission has wisely
taken into consideration the feasibility of providing its own
power to pump the water thus placing wholly within the
hands of the city commission the matter of rate making
Whether new plant is built or the present one pur-
chased and needed additions made the city should make
vision to pump its water that at no stage of the
ceedngs will it be necessary to submit to the railroad com
mission place in jeopardy complete control Of the water
Regulation of utility rates under the railroad commits
has not been There evidences OF great
discrepancies in the various cities of the state
Grand Forks for instance where oergy to man the
pumps and light the streets is furnished by
private utility as Bismarck gets power cheaper
than Bismarck That city is nearly twice big Bismarck
PUMPS al M water Tor Te year at cos, H Es
for pumping water for year is $4,000 This was occ;
very favorable contract then in existence which called for
pumping the water into the reservoirs at onea the pres
pumps all its water at cost for electrical energy. of about
S4oo slightly than what is taxed against the Bis
Comparison OF rates paid utilities for pumping water in
other cities shows that Bismarck far out of line Evil
IDENTIFY there need for complete revanpng Of all these
Either Bismarck is paying too much the other
paying too little St. Paul. however, gets its water
klowat as against than average of cents per
kowat in Bismarck in the center of supply of cheap
service itself will be the best little regulator of rates
possible and the city commission of the embarass
utility board that can be started the slightest
provocaon and impose heavy burdens on the city and the
utilities involved.
Returning to street lighting Grand Forks is noted for
being we'll lighted city. It's residence district is especially
well lighted and the white is not curtaled is the
in Bismarck. The of electric energy for Grand
Forks lighting system year is approximately $4,000 as
against S72466S for Bismarck Grand Forks has flat
rate for its white way instead of being meter. That
city afford under existing rates to keep its streets lighted
while Bismarck by force of necessity must cura it's lights
until certain sections of the city poorly lighted to
be positively dangerous for auto traffic 1t is problem
that the city commission against but which hopes
to solve with the earnest cooperation of the voters.
The people of Bismarck get their pencils out ana
figure that is costing this city for electric to pump
water and light the streetsa grand total OF nearly $5OOO
against $1 600 in Grand Forks. If saving
be made this item and other utility charges the people
not feel the burden Of extra taxation for direct benefits
in the way Of improved service and city owned water
plant BY all the city should provide its own pump
ing station and end forever the chances OF its water rates
being the football of politics and endless litigation.
The way clear and the city commission get support
for it's program by promising the voters that it will take
to end the present unequal charges compared to
what other cities of the state paying.
Granting that service is good in this city and it sso 1t
is Grand Forks and Fargo at much smaller cost far
the water pumpage and street lighting concerned