Lakeland Evening Telegram Newspaper, June 4, 1914, Page 1

o — MANAGER'S AT ON LIGHT B PLANT EW PLANT BEFORE WINTER "“ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO " SATISFACTORY SERVICE Current Could Be Furnished for 5c . and Water at 12c if Plant Is : ~ Properly Equipped At the session of the city commis- siloners this morning, City Manager D. F. McLeog made the following report regarding the status of the Aight and water plants, which, hav- ing an official character, will be of {nterest to all the citizens: _ Lakeland, Fla., June 3, 1914. “The City Commissioners of Lakeland, i Florida: | Gentlemen—The following data statements concerning the Lake- Jand light ang water plant are of- ‘tomd. with the hope that they may ‘make the present condition and fu- ‘ture prospects of the plant clearer to you and to those citizens who are ‘ffllowlng the discussion now being conducted through the columns of the Lakeland Telegram. . From the city treasurer's books I find that in the year ending May 1, 1914 the receipts of the light and swater plant were $34,680. The ex- penditures were $35,101, or $421 in iexcess of the receipts. The superintendent’s books show that, in the same period, there was expended in permanent improve- mments $9,090. During the year re- -cently ended, therefore, the net earn- .. ings of the plant over its expendi- tures were $9,090, less $421, or $8,- 569. The net earnings of the shoulg have been greater, however, if the output of the plant had been properly accounted for ang it had got credit for the upkeep of fire hy- drants and street lights, as it would in any modern city where the ac- counting treats the light and water plant as if the plant were something apart from the rest of the city utili- ties, ang makes it pay its own way. If the Lakeland plant were on this basis it would receive credit as fol- plant lows: Annual rental of 77 fire hy- drants at $35 each .......$2,660 Current for and maintenance of 60 boulevard lights ZML80 cach ... ......... 3,000 Curregt for and maintenance of 167 incandescent lights B U806 each ............. 3,925 v RS TR $9,585 However, this total should be re- «duced by the bonq interest paid by the city for the light and water plant Interest on $40,000 at 5 pct...$2,000 Interest on $27,000 at 6 pct... 1,620 ... .. P VAL i v This woulq leave $9,585 less $3,- 620 or $5,965 to the credit of the ligh¢ and water plant to be added to the $8,569 above, making a grand total of $14,534 as the net earnings of the light and water plant from May 1, 1913 to May 1, 1914, inclu- sive. These figures mizht be tabulated as follows: Earnings expended on permanent improvements ..... ..$9,090 Annual expenditure . .$ Less annual income. . 34,680 Net earnings of plant under fpresent arrangement ....$8,569 But under a modern system of accounting there should be a further credit as follows: City of Lakeland in account with Lakelang L. & W. Plant Dr. To fire hydrant rentals ang street lighting Cr. By interest paid on L & W. bonds or oo 3,620 $9.585 Total annual net « L. & W. Plant ...... .$14,534 From the above it is seen that, in the year endinzg May 1 1914, the light and water plant of the city of Lakeland ecarned 3145 over and above ordinary expenditures, and this without giving the plant credit for water and light furnished free to City buildings. Of this $14,534, about $8,500 has been put into ex- 'LAKELAND EVENING TEL Published in the Best Town in the Best Part of the Best State tensions of water pipes, electric light lines, ete. About $6,000 WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN USED TO IREDUCE THE RATES ON LIGHT AND WATER HAS BEEN USED TO SUPPLEMENT THE AMOUNT COL~ LECTED TAXES FROM GENERAL 'PROPERTY ASSESSMENT AND HAS REDUCED THE AMOUNT PAID TO THE CITY BY EVERY TAXPAYER (ABOUT ONE-FIFTH) AS CERTAINLY AS IF HE HAD BEEN PRESENTED WITH SO MUCH MONEY BY THE LIGHT AND WATER PLANT. This is seen from the fact that the amount collected in the city taxes is $28,375, while if the fire hydrants and street lights were paid for to a private company the amount of taxes which would have been col- lecteq would have veen §34,340, or about one-fifth greater. I recommend that the accounting system of the city ve revised as soon as practicable so as to give the wa- ter and light plant credit for fire hydrant rental and the cost of street lighting, and so as to make the plant pay the interest on its own debts. This would NOT operate so as to raise every man’s taxes one-fifth and lower his rates on light anq water an equivalent amount. There are | many people in Lakeland who pay light and water bills who do not own real estate. There are others, again, who own extensive real estate and have large unimproved property, on which users of light and water pay part of the taxes. Again, the user of light and wa- ter, under the present system of ac- counting, pays the cost of fire hy- drant and street light maintenance for the use of the general commun- ity. I appeng a statement showing how the expenditures and income could be made to balance, with a new and modernly equipped light and water plant, and at the same time give low rates to consumers: Expenditure. Interest on old bonds.§3,620 Inte on new bonds ( 000 at 6 pet.).. 5,700 - —$9,820 WHEER 5 i susbiam vt g bieey 8,000 l“\lt"l .......... 8,500 500 0i] anq waste Stationery, printing and cler- ical expenses Repairs on machinery Repairs on lizhts, water pipes, 1,000 500 wires, fire hydrants, etc.. 4,500 TNBUTANGE o v v oibit v nsisisiening 300 Depreciation on $54,000 worth of machinery at 10 pet... 5,400 IDOEAL dvaile s e alatete lots w39 9.8,080 This would he about the expendi- ture for the year ending 1914, with the present plant, which should have been $34,680 plus $3,- 620, or $38,300. Income. From street lights and fire hy- drant rental .$ 109,500,000 gallons of water at 12¢ per 1,000 gallons...13,140 309,500 kilowatt hours of electrical energy at 5c per k. w. hour 9,585 Total .... cexsuics e 8,080 It seems useless to make any cal- culations regarding the present plant, which has already overrun the limit of satisfactory capacity. Any delay in having a new plant erected before winter may lead to interrup- tions of service, and will retard the progress of the city. An inspection of the above state- ment shows that the only items of expenditure likely to be increased by increasing the output of a new plant within the limit of its capacity would be ofl and fuel, which total only $10,000 out of $38,020. It therefore follows that any substan- tial increase in output woulgd tend to lower the very reasonable unit prices above estimated. Respectfully submitted DONALD F. McLEOD, City Manager. ASSISTANT SECRETARY AT COMMENCEMENT Columbia, Mo., 4 .—Henry |S. Breckinridge, a cretary of wargdelivered the commencement |address at the State University to: day The graduating vear numbrred 120, and in this addition class to the bachelor degree many ad- vanceq degrees were granted, mak- ing the occasion the most important in the matter of degrees ever ob- served at the University Miss Willie Rogers, of Barney, Ga., is the guest of her sisters, Mrs. C. G. Fletcher ang Mrs. J. D. Rog- gells, for a few weeks. May 1,! LAKELAND, FLORIDA, THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 1914 COMISSONERS MONUNENT CONENED [N | AT ARLIAGTO TWD SESSONS UNVELED TOD HEARD VARIOUS | COMPLAINTS | THE O0CCASION WAS MARKED BY REGARDING LIGHT AND WATER RATES Supt. Raffo to Have His Office at the Plant Hereafter; Will Also Read Meters Lakeland, Fla., June 3, 1914. IMPRESSIVE CERE- MONIES President Wilson and Gen. Bennet H. Young Divided Honors on This Occasion (By Associated Press.) Washington,| June| 4.—The| un- Regular session of the city com- |veiling of the Confederate monument mission with Messrs. Eaton, Toph in the Confederate section of the Arlington National cemetery took [and Flanagan present. Minutes of May 20 were read and approved. Petitions from R. O. Cresap et al. for relief in water supply on E. Bay street, and from G. H. Alfield for similar relief on South Virginia figur avenue were granted, and were re- spectively referreq to the city man- ager with power to act. the commission adjourned to meet at 9:30 a. m., Thursday, June 4, in adjourned session. 0. M. EATON, Mayor. Attest: H. L. SWATTS, City Clerk. Lakeland, Fla., June 4, 1914, Adjourned session of the city com- mission with Messrs. Eaton, Toph and Flanagan present. Petition of the local master plumbers relative to the examination of journeymen and bonds for master plumbers, was referred to the city attorney with in- structions to draft ordinane cover- ing intent of saig petitioners and a similar one for the electrical con- tractors and workmen. Petition of K. O. ding for lower light and water motion taken under due consideration; and a special committee of Mes Toph, Flana- gan and Mendenhall was appointed to investigate anq report at the next of the looking towarq the lowerine of light and watey rates as much as possible with the pregent equipment. The manager instructed to advertise for sealeq bids for wood to supply the lizht and water plants for the remainder of the year, and to prepare specifications for wood, anq the contract for ratification by the commission. On motion the perintendent of the light and water ‘pl:mls was instructed to remove his coffice to the plants, and personally ):l(! read the light and water meters, yto measure all wood receiveq by the iplimts and to keep such office hours as the city manager may designate. On motion the matter of purchas- ing a motorcycle for the city, was referreq to the city manager with power to act. Monthly 1eports from the collee- tor, clerk of the municipal court and the sanitary inspector for May were read, ang were ordered received and filed. The managers report was read, and on motion same was or- dered receiveq and published in the Telegram for public information. Current bills were ordered paid. On motion the commission ad- Flood et al. rates, was on commission, said session was su journed. O. M. EATON, Mayor. Attest: H. L. SWATTS, City Clerk INTERNATIONAL A. A FEDERATION Lyons, France, June 4.—The In- ternational Amateur Athletic Fede- ration will open their conference in this city today and it is probable that most of the important business to be transacted at the Olympic Con- gress, which meets later in the month, will be outlined at these ses- sions of the International Federa- tion, which will last a week. The I.| A. F. is a federation of zovernir bodies in countries that are conduct ing athletic activities, and the U ed States, Sweden, Enzland, France, Germany, Italy, A ia, Hungary, Egypt, Australia, Canada and South America have qualified and are rep- resented, The object of the forma- tion of the federation is to have uni- form athletic laws and to recom- On, motion Iy o place today. The heroic statue of a woman bearing in an outstretched hanq a wreath of laurel is the cen- tral figure, while about the base of this are groupeq thirty-two life-sized es in full relief. A plow stock and a sickle rest on the base of the monument and beneath is inseribed biblical quotation: ‘“Thev have beaten their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.” The memoria]l follows plans drawn by Sir Moses Ezekiel, a Vir- ginian and a Confederate soldier, whose studio is in Rome. The United Daughters of the (Confederacy raised ‘the money for the memorial, and will present it to the United States, The exercises opened with an address by General Bennett H. Young, com- mander-in-chief of the Confederate Veterans, Mrs. Stevens, president- general of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, in a speech turned the monument over to President Wil- son . {JEFFERSON DAVIS' BIRTHDAY i APPROPRIATELY OBSERVED Jefferson’s birthday was appropri- tately observed yesterday afternoon by the Daughters of the Confeder- acy, Veterans and Sons of Veterans at the Odq Fellows Hall where a pro- gram was carried out, The main address of the occasion was made by Col, A. P. Spencer, of the law firm of Rogers & Spencer, who was followed by General J. A. Cox. After the exercises cream and cake were served, which en- joyeq by all present. were NATIONAL LEPER HOME MAY BE BUILT (By Associated Press.) The Karly, alleged leper, resulteq in the presentation of two House bills to provide a nation al leper home. Washington, June 4. pres- ence here of John MEETING OF VIOLINISTS' GUILD ~The an- the American St. Louis, Mo., June 4.- nual convention of Guild of Violinists opened their three-day meeting here this morn- ing, with musicians, executants and composers from all over thec ountry in attendance. While this is a com- paratively new art movement, inter- est is widespread. The object of the guild is to advance the course of American music. PROGRESSIVES GOING ALONE Hartford, Conn., June 4.—The State convention of the Progressives of Connecticut is being held in this city today. Through the Central committee the Progressives placeq themselves in record as being firmly opposed to any coalition with the Republican party, and they have decideq to put a full ticket in the field at the next State election have REPUBLICAN STATE COMMITTEE MEET Little Rock, Ark., June 4 The Republican State central committec of Arkansas convened here today for fixing the da for the annual State of the G. 0. P the purpose of a call issuing convention Raleigh, N C., June 4 Tt Democratic party of North Carolina is hol« a meeting today, to nomi nate candidates for United mend these laws as well as a stand- ard list of events to the Internation- al committee for future OIympic games., ¢ £ senator and corporation e« er, and to approve the non the various judges of the court STATE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION | N No. 169 RAYBURN BILL BEFORE HOUSE TODAY LETCHER LES STOCKTON VER B000 /O INCOMING RETURNS GIVE THE SENATOR A BIG INCREASE (sy Assoclateq Press.) Washington, June 4.—The Ray- burn bill to regulate railroad stock ang bonq issues was the fixed busi- ness of the House today. The gener- al debate will probably end this af- ternoon. Detaileq consideration will start Friday. The leaders expect the three anti-trust bills will be disposed of Saturday. INQUIRY RESUMED INTO NEW HAVEN RAILROAD (By Associated Press.) Washington, June 4.—The inter- state commerce commission has re- sumeq inquiry into the New Haven railroad financial deals. William Skinner, director, will be followed, as witness by Laurende Minot, for- mer director. Little Change in the County Until Second Choice Votes Are Can- vassed; Work in Progress. Jacksonville, June 4.—Returnsas near complete as they will be until canvassed by the State Democratic executive committee show that Dun- can U. Fletcher sweeps the State with a majority of more than 8,000 votes over Stockton for Uniteq Stateg senator. Sears, Sparkman, Wilson and Clark will represent the State in Congress. McRae has overwhelm- ingly defeated Appleyard for missioner of agriculture. CARRANZA'S ANSWER IS EXPECTED TODAY (By Associateq Press.) Washington, June 4.-—Carranza's answer to the mediaters’ note is ex- pected today. On it depends the scope of the mediators. It will defi- nitely determine whether the medi- ators will be limited to settling the Huerta-United States dispute or the whole Mexican problem. Secre- tary Bryan reiterated the statement that mediation was progressing fav- orably. Huerta is reporteq to be sending gunboats to stop the ship- ments of arms to the constitutional- com=- Senator Fletcher to the Evening Telegran A wire from Senator Fletcher to the Telegram this afternoon says: “Accept my thanks for your splendid and effective work for best interests of Florida. We win by over eight ists at Tampico. Assistant Secretary |thousand.” of the Navy Roosevelt will take up the matter with the president and Secretary of State Bryan this morn-| Since the vote was tabulated in ing. Roosevelt said no orders had|the Telegram yesterday, Morse, been sent to the Uniteq States war- [Haines City, Green Pond and Ar- ships regarding the steamer Antilla. [Puckle have been heard from, which Some believe the United States|leaves only Fort Gardner and woulq not interfere with a block- | Branchboro unreported. The only ade by Huerta, race which these votes affect is in the county commissioner's race in (By Associated Press) the Mulberry distriet, which give Lancaster a lead of ten votes over Falls, June 4.—While waiting for Carranza to sav if he would send delegates to the confer- ence, the mediators worked on the phases of the Mexican situation that would not be affected by the consti- tutionalists’ answer. The peace plans Lara Read. gives Lancaster a leag of five votes, The vote shown in this issue but we were unable, up to the time the Gardner, of going to press to secure vote Fort which gave Lancaster the of Branchboro and additional are only partly completed. Much of m,“'\' The vote of ithe pre ‘:”“"‘ ob the work is valuable even if Car- "!“"'] fdded to. yestorday's: ount, ranza will not enter the negotia- Bives tions. The mediators are vitally in- U. 8. Senator: Fletcher, 1,016; teresteq in Carranza’s answer. Car-|Stockton, 536 ranza’s attitude probably will shape | Consressman: Angle, 657; DeBer- the entire course of the mediation |FY» 1045 Sparkman, 8§76 and perhaps affect the United States| Representative--Brown, 358; Rob- attitude toward Mexican factions. son, 9115 Hancock, 612; Smith, 138; i Tucker, 241; Whidden, 558 { Tax Collector - Lanier, 966; Lang ; U. C. T. MEETING ford, 709 | X el Treasurer Hamm, 436; Jones, South Bend, 'Ind., June 4 The [582: Whidden, 180: Young, 531 annual State convention of the Unit- County Commisstoner —District 1, Yeq Commercial Travelers began here | pancaster, 71 . Read, T07: Distriet today anq will last over three day 2. Hurst, 718: Swearingen, Practically every council in the State | pigtriet 429: Mann is represented, and a number of District -,;,1. Bryson prominent speakers will be heard. |cypter 234; Stone, 317; Tompkins, Among these on the program are!gs Thomas R. Marshall, vice president; The county executive committee is Senator B. . Shively, and ( W. leanvassing the second choice votes Fairbanks of Indianapolis Claude | this afternoon, and the result of Duval, the supreme president of the |{heir work will determine the suc- travelers, is.present. cessful candidates in the races for e treasurer and representative SECRETARIES' CONFERENCE Vicksburg, Miss., June 4 Southern Commercial The | Secretaries MRS. BOOTH AT CHAUTAUQUA Association today began their three . A 5 = Wilmington, Del., June 4—Chau- day meeting in this city Today will ? |tauqua week in Wilmington begins be devoted to talks on the subject of | . : . S today, with Mrs. Ballington Booth Organization Work;" tomorrow the i : : : as the opening attraction. There will subject will be “School for Seere-| e ilso be representative Republican taries,” and the closing day of the o s and Democratie speakers These convention will be devoted strictly g |speakers are not on the regular pro- to business, the session to wresid ram, b been added to it, and ed over by the president of the asso- |, | A R lisplayl X E Wilmingtor izens are displaying ciation, Bruce Kenned of M < At terest t k's meot- gomery, Ala MOTOR BOATS ON CONGO | e 7,000 SCHOOL CHIL- Leopoldville, Africa Jur { loat service for freight, mail and DREN MAKE FLAG passengers will be started today from | this city to Stanley Fall nd other river routes by the aiq of thr Buff ) 4 Over v sent by the r 1 m L 0 These > ) re dr | t an eacl j d 1] Y At i An air ! 1to t The accommodations ar } k { I | I s p s and traff 1 Ind lub ]‘ re ) ) la s for | r A that will I r l Arn I how who already is a free dies en of this Great Britain. w t r nserved. The work r X ction of the expert f Coventr ' Germar mnast, Carl Burkhardt