Depreciation in water-works accounts with reference to uniform reports

Some twenty years ago the writer was superintendent of a water works in one of the smaller cities of New England, and sub-quently became treasurer, and was also manager of the gas plant in the same municipality. During his administration the water works were rebuilt, new pumps were installed, a water tower erected, a filter introduced, and the mains extended in many streets. At the same time a complete reorganization of the gas plant went on, with new works and holders. The process was changed from coal gas to water gas, and the mains throughout the town were repaired and relaid. This was the first practical experience with questions of depreciation on a considerable scale with which the writer had to do, for, as may be surmised, no allowances for depreciation had ever been made in the accounts of the water works or of the gas works prior to that time. All these renewals and reconstructions required the investment of new capital for the time being, although this was ultimately made up out of earnings in subsequent years. From that time questions relating to depreciation in public service corporations and in municipal industries have played a prominent part in the writer\u27s experience, as he has been engaged as an expert witness in a number of important suits relating to water works, gas plants, and electric light works in which the determination of fair rates for depreciation was fundamental. In each case, in fact, the result of the suit depended almost wholly upon a correct setting forth of these matters