Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 February 1901 — POPULAR IDEA. [ARTICLE]

POPULAR IDEA.

Municipal Ownership Finding General Favor Across the Border. Woodstock, Ont., is a city of 10,000 Inhabitants. While not a large place it is very progressive. Some time ago the Woodstock Electric Light Company was called to sell its plant to the city, and after demurring the deal was effected and the business was passed over to the municipality. Hereafter the plant will be run as a city undertaking. Kingston, Ont!, with a population of 20,000, has notified the Kingston Light, Heat and Power Company of its intention to proceed in a lawful manner to arbitrate to acquire the whole plant. The company’s contracts expire in 1901. The property, valued at 1300,000, will probably soon be in the possession of the municipal authorities. If Kingston can own its electric light plant there is no reason why Bridgeport should not also go into the same kind of business. The city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, has been carrying on its electric light plant very successfully during the past year. Consumers are receiving a cheaper and better service that when a private corporation was in control.