170 Kansas Academy of Science. 



FURTHER DISCUSSION OF MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP 

 OF WATER AND LIGHT PLANTS. 



By J. A. G. Shirk, A. M.. M. S. 



rilHIS paper embodies the results of the observations of the 

 -'- author for four years, three of which were spent as a member 

 of the water and light board of the city of Ottawa, Kan. In this 

 particular city the results of municipal ownership have been quite 

 satisfactory, as it has also been in a considerable number of other 

 cities which have adopted this plan of securing the desired water 

 and light service. In a few places, however, the plan has not been 

 a success, and in some of these there has been a return to the pri- 

 vately owned plants. The author of this paper has endeavored to 

 ascertain in a number of cases what the causes of the failure of 

 municipal ownership were, so as to be able to present both sides of 

 the question. 



In any question of this kind it is almost impossible to secure 

 unbiased information, as there are always staunch friends and also 

 bitter enemies of any existing system. The aim has been to secure 

 such information from reliable men outside the immediate group 

 who were active in making changes or in maintaining present sys- 

 tems of management. Information obtained from those in charge 

 of the plants is generally in favor of the system then in use. as 

 these men wish to make the business management appear suc- 

 cessful. 



In the paper read last year before the Academy only the argu- 

 ments in favor of municipal ownership were discussed. This time, 

 however, both sides of the question will be given as impartially as 

 possible. The reasons for and against are briefly given below, and 

 then are considered more in detail. 



Reasons For Municipal Ownership. 



1. Better service at same rates, or at equitable rates. 



2. Better rates for same service. 



3. Ease of extending the service. 



4. Ease of changing the character of the service when occasion de- 

 mands it. 



Reasons Against Municipal Ownership. 



1. Usually better superintendents and managers under private owner- 

 ship. 



2. Usually better managing boards under private ownership. 



3. Hard to get additional capital for extensive improvements or repairs. 



