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This newspaper page contains 12 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Marshfield Times
Location
Marshfield, Wisconsin, United States of America
Date
Oct 16, 1907
Page
12
A Syracuse led review finds municipal control of utilities often unprofitable and misleading. The commission studied eight cities including Detroit Columbus Allegheny and South Norwalk, advising against immediate municipal street lighting plants due to high material costs and uncertain savings, urging careful accounting and legal protections before any expansion.
A commission report presents a faith in American ideals guiding business and government. It argues for cooperation between corporations and the public, rejecting political manipulation and urging responsible stewardship by honorable leaders. It emphasizes serving the public good, protecting rights, and resisting what it calls the dictums of political quacks.
In Moline an article argues the city faced costly decisions over its electric plant from purchase price to repairs. It notes the plant sold for 7900 while the city estimated a replacement value near two thirds of private charges, and warns that operating costs and lighting contracts strained the municipal budget.
A clipped, opinionated column by John Kendrick Basis critiques municipal electric plants and the push for public ownership in New York and other cities. It references Sir Thomas Sljlon and debates over whether city control would yield better wages, cheaper power, or political shifts, with satirical notes on taxation and titles. The piece also mentions Rostom, Boston, and Rudyard Kipling themes, reflecting public ownership rhetoric and urban politics.
The Ta grange village board explains its light and water plant was neglected under prior admin. A private company bought the plant for 10 00, with the village remaining unpledged on debt. After years of decline, a new owner spent about 188 600 restoring the plant, now costing 102 per year.
A superintendent of a municipal electric light plant named BU laments lack of reports and high debt run from 830 to 350 per month due to political handling. He cites political friends and low rates as causes, arguing municipal ownership implies elite control, per Lyman Abbott's view.
Dean Bovey of McGill University and US official Henry F Bovey oppose municipal takeover of Montreal gas works. They warn it would turn lighting into a political job with loyalists, higher costs, and inefficiency. The speakers argue public utilities benefit from professional administration over political appointees.
Calvin Stein of Niles urged the board of public service on Tuesday night to examine the city’s books to verify payments for gas and water drawn from municipal plants. The issue comes as Warren Chronicle notes Niles advertises itself as a model of municipal ownership since 1891 with $50,000 plant costs and outstanding bonds while the tax rate rises to $3.56, the county’s highest.
In Citizens' Balance Charles C. Kirkpatrick condemns appointing department heads by politics or religion. He argues merit should guide public offices, noting that business houses in Cincinnati use merit principles, while partisan spoils persist as a relic of barbarism.
A Rochester Democrat and Chronicle letter argues that even well run city administrations show greed and graft in both major and minor matters. It contends incompetence accompanies municipal ownership, with bad administrations imposing heavy, unnecessary expenses on taxpayers.
The National Civic Federation Commission finds municipal ownership theories impracticable. It argues British experience cannot be simply imported to the United States, noting differing physical and political conditions. The report warns against rapid reform driven by demagogues, urging slow, thorough investigation before any municipal ownership move.
A Montreal Gazette editorial notes Edmonton’s grand municipal schemes did not spark higher voter turnout. Of 2000 ratepayers, only 153 voted on a 250000 dollar Edmonton bylaw package. Towanda Pennsylvania studied municipal electric plans but renewed existing lights contracts, suggesting limited public engagement despite advocacy.
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