Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-09-21
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE
MAYOR AND COUNCIL
OF AMERICUS.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL
OF AMERlCUS.
1t IS unfortunate that it is nee
essary for the Mayor and Council
to raise water rates in Americas.
1t is unfortunate that any direct
tax on the people should be IN
creased at this time.
The Recorder realizes that
money necessary 70 run the city
must be secured from some source,
and does not intend 20 be under
stood as critieizing the city off
cials for their action.
When OUT-GO exceeds IN
CONE. one OF two things must be
done. Either the one must be de-
creased Of the other increased.
The city already is far enough in
debt. It can not and should not
be allowed to add TO that debt.
With this thought in mind, The
Times-Recorder asked the South
Georgia Public Utilities company
if the cost of producing water
could be lowered by the electrifi-
cation Of the plant.
The answer comes back from
General Manager. L. L. Ferree,
that in his opinion a saving Of &c.
OOO per year can be made.
Following is the exact text Of
our letter to Mr.. Ferree:
September 6, 1923.
Mr.. [. L. Ferree, Manager,
Georgia-Alabama Power Company.
Albany, Ga.
Dear Sir:
The city council of Americas
has determined to raise all water
rates IN Americas, so it is re-
ported. The reason given for the
raise, we understand, is because
the department shows an operat-
ing loss.
If it is true that the depart
ment is sustaining a loss, the
council is compelled to do one Of
three things; increase revenues,
decrease expense on allow the de-
partment's loss to be met by
some other DEPARTMENT Of the
government.
Some months ago, was told
by one ofssyour representatives
speaking unofficially, that your
company could electrify the water
plant and greatly REDUCE its
cost of operation. If this is true,
the loss in the department can be
met by this change and not be
compelled to saddle additional
expense on citizens.
Five or six years ago, the writ
er as an official of a Georgia
city about the size of Americas,
had the water pumping system of
that city changed from steam to
hydro-electric power at a saving
to the city of very large annual
sum.
Will you not tell me if your
company can electrify the local
plant, and if so, at what saving
to the city over present cost of
production. If you are unable to
answer the question without
necessary information regarding
daily specifications and type of
machines now used, or other
data, | have no doubt | can Sc
cure this information from the
city for you.
However, / am of the opinion
tonight that through your person
al knowledge of the city and
surveys you have made that you
can answer the question, possibly
not to the penny, but close
enough for all purposes | have
in mind.
The Times-Recorder regrets
that it is necessary to increase
water rates at this time. and
does not feel justified in making
any criticism unless it can point
out some way which the same
ends can be gained without the
increase.
Cheaper power would give the
gentlemen of the council what
they must have without raising
rates.
An answer as early as is~con-
Yenent will be deeply appre-
ciated.
Respectfully,
LOVELACE EVE,
Publisher
There is still another phase O
the question that has developed
according to a subsequent lette
from Mr.. Ferree, from which w
quote as follows:
SEPT. 10, 1928
Times-Recorder Company. Inc.
Americas, Ga.
Gentlemen:
Attention Mr. Lovelace Eve
Editor.
We are in receipt Of your let
ter; OF September 9th inuuiring
as to our ability of electrifying
the city pumping station, there
by reducing the cost of opera
ton over the present cost of
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