inhabitants. In most cases they have been established by popular vote, either because the community was dissatisfied with the existing privately owned company or because it was unable to obtain the installation of a private company.

There are, however, a number of cities which have successful municipally owned lighting plants. Within eight years after Pasadena, California, established municipal ownership of its lighting plant, the amount of street illumination had increased 956 per cent. and the total cost of street lighting had increased only 219 per cent. Municipal ownership in Pasadena from 1908 to 1916 has saved the people a million dollars.

Richmond, Virginia, has owned its gas plant for seventy years. During that period, rates have been reduced, the plant has paid for itself, and has brought $1,500,000 into the city treasury besides.*

7. ADMINISTRATION

In our large cities the authority over street lighting is vested in a special department, called the Department of Gas and Electricity, as in Chicago, or in the Department of Public Utilities or of Public Works, or some similar department. The administrative head of this department is usually appointed by the city's chief executive.

A city that does not obtain its gas and electricity from a muncipally owned plant is compelled to purchase lighting from the gas and electric companies doing business in the city. The usual procedure is for the department of gas and electricity to advertise for bids. Upon accepting the bid of a company the department executes a contract with the company for a certain period of time, usually not less than one year.

As we have noted, in a number of cities business men help pay for special lighting arrangements in the business districts. In other cities property owners are sometimes assessed to pay part

*"One Hundred Reasons Why 100 Cities have Changed from Private to Municipal Ownership of Public Utilities." Burns & McDowell.

of the cost of street lighting, when their property is benefited. Los Angeles assesses property owners on a front foot basis. Each pays according to the number of feet his property extends along the lighted street. Rochester's fine residence street, East Avenue, is lighted by luminous arc lamps, which were paid for partly by local assessments on abutting property and partly out of the city lighting fund, which is taken from the city's tax receipts.

Rates to private consumers vary greatly in different communities. Charges are now nearly always made by meter, and not by a flat rate. The consumer is thus charged for exactly the amount of gas or electricity that he uses.

When a company, whether private or municipal, wishes to increase its rates, it must present the facts to the Public Service Commission and obtain the permission of that body.

8. THE CITIZEN'S PART

There are practical ways in which each citizen can do his share in the business of city lighting. Light, just as much as water, should be conserved. Don't leave lights burning when you do not need them. This is wasting electricity that some one else might use. It may also mean that coal is being wasted. If everybody were careful about lights the annual saving in coal would be considerable.

Use the utmost care to see that all wiring done in your home is done properly, by a licensed electrician. Defective wiring is one of the common causes of fires, and a slight amount of carelessness in this may mean a great amount of loss in a fire.

If your gas stove or your gas meter leaks, report it to the company. If the company does not act, report it to your city department that has authority in such a case. A gas leak may assume dangerous proportions if left unattended.

All these things mean not only co-operation with your community; they also mean saving you unnecessary expense, and perhaps even averting personal danger.

TOPICS FOR REPORTS AND DEBATES

1. The Importance of Good Lighting in the Factory.
2. The Importance of Good Lighting in School.
3. Accidents Caused through Poor Lighting.

4. Some Ornamental Lighting Posts in our City.
5. A Visit to a Plant that Manufactures Electricity.
6. How Gas is Made.

7. A Central Station Heating Plant in our City.
8. Types of Street Lamps Used in our City.

RESOLVED: That since lighting is a public necessity, a city should own and operate its lighting plant.

RESOLVED: That electricity is superior to gas for street lighting pur

poses.

QUESTIONS

1. If you wanted a street light installed in a dark and rather dangerous section of your block, how would you go about getting it?

2. What branch of city government would select the type of lamp, attend to the installation of the wiring and the pole, and see that the light is maintained in good order?

3. How much does your city spend each year for lighting its streets, parks, and public buildings?

4. Is this money wisely spent? Explain.

5. What city department is in charge of the city's lighting? Explain the organization of this department. Who is its administrative head?

6. Are moving picture operators examined and licensed in your city? Why? By what department?

7. Are electricians in your city examined and licensed? Explain. 8. Suppose you thought your gas meter was charging you for gas that you were not using. What could you do about it?

9. What city officials determine the character and design of the poles that support your street lights?

10. What type of lighting is used in your city streets? In the parks? Why?

11. Has your city overhead wires in any of its districts? Why are they objectionable? How can they be got rid of?

12. What rate do private consumers in your city pay for gas and electricity? Who fixed the rate?

13. Suppose there were no government body authorized to fix the rates for gas and electricity. What might happen?

14. If the lighting supplied your home by the company is dim and unsatisfactory, what can you do about it?

15. Suppose you want a light on your desk as well as on the ceiling of your room. Can you put in the extension wiring yourself? Explain. 16. Is it more economical to purchase heat for your home from a

central station heating plant, or to manufacture your own heat in your private furnace? Give reasons.

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL

1. The report of your city Department of Gas and Electricity.

2. The report of your Public Service Commission.

3. "Central Station Heating," by John C. White. Published by the Bureau of Mines of the Department of the Interior, Washington, D. C., 1918.

4. "Central Electric Light and Power Stations and Street and Electric Railways." Published by the Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce, Washington, D. C., 1915.

5. "Government Ownership of Public Utilities," by Leon Carmon.

6. "Memorial to the Legislature of the State of New York for an Investigation of the Conditions Surrounding Gas and Electric Lighting in the City of New York." Published by the Merchants' Association, Woolworth Building, New York City, 1905.

7. "The Results of Municipal Electric Lighting in Massachusetts," by E. E. Lincoln.

8. "Selected Articles on Municipal Ownership," compiled by J. E. Johnson. 9. "The Regulation of Municipal Utilities," edited by Clyde L. King.

CHAPTER XI

DISPOSAL OF COMMUNITY WASTES

INTRODUCTORY LESSON PLAN

Examine your school room critically from the point of view of sanitation.

a. Are the floors unlittered, and swept clean?

b. Are the desks, tables and fixtures free from accumulations of dust and dirt?

c. Are the windows transparent and clear?

d. Are the walls neat, and free from streaks or marks made by dust and dirt?

e. How is the room kept in a sanitary condition? Is it carefully cleaned at the end of each day's session? By whom?

f. How are dirt, litter and the contents of the waste baskets taken away from the building? What finally becomes of it all?

g. Are there ways in which pupils can co-operate in keeping their school room clean and healthful? Make a poster listing suggestions that might be placed in a conspicuous spot on the wall.

1. ARE YOUR STREETS CLEAN?

The next time you are in the street notice the condition of the pavement and roadway. Are bits of paper, fruit skins, torn newspapers and other rubbish to be seen? Does the light breeze blow clouds of fine dust into your face and cause your eyes to smart and your skin to feel dry and rather choked? If so, the corridors of your community are not well kept.

But let us hope the reverse is true. See if you can find any of your street cleaners at work. You will not have to look far. You will see, perhaps in the very next block, a bent figure with three weapons for fighting and conquering dirt. First, he has an ordinary broom, such as you might see in your own kitchen, then a long-handled brush, and a shovel. If you watch him