Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1890-11-06
Some Light" on the Subject.

There Is an unpleasant prospect that
jamestown will have to go back to dark
ness and the coyotes. The majority of
the city council have declined to acceed
to the request OF the large petition pre-
sented to them to continue the present
electric light contract for another year.
This petition is signed by property
holders and tax payers that pay nearly
all the personal property tax Of the city.
1t would seem that their wishes would
receive some consideration, but the
council promptly placed the petition ''on
file" by vote OF four to three. Mr..
Klaus, who pays $1,000 city and county
taxes, was not allowed to vote Oh the
matter, because he was IAN interested
party" beng a stockholder in the cleo
trio light company. The company de-
clares it is running it's present contract
at loss and has presented facts and
figures that can be verified to prove IT,
The council, instead. passed resolution
introduced by P. ". Alley, ordering Mr..
Klaus to put up from five to eight ad-
ditional lights and to run them all at
the old contract rate Of 395 per year.
Mr. Klaus claims that the city agreed to
pay cash for It's lights, which has not
been done, the warrants issued for pay
ment having always been at a discount.
Also that the incandescent lis hts were
to be turned on and off lat certain hours,
which has not been done, but have
burned all night at the company's ex-
pense For these reasons Mr.. Klaus
claims the city has not fulfilled its
agreement. At the time of the contract
tho railroad company agreed to take a
certain number of lights, which has not
been done. This was one reason for the
low rate offered. While the city has
nothing to do with that, yet it1s one of
which latter fact the city recognized
lights which the heaviest tax payers ask
be again done for this year, but which
the council declined to do.
.
bonded for $4,000. It has not paid the
interest on the bonds for over a year and
half There has been an actual loss in
running the plant alone, which has been
done as economically as possible. The
increased cost of repairs. carbons, Incl
dentals and fuel for the extra lights de-
manded, would make the deficit still
larger. The revenues last year, inclnd-
ing S2,40O from the Gladstone hotel com
pany, amounted to 81, 900, the expenses to
S7,473. So. The plant brings in to the
city and county Il yearly tax of $22O7O.
The light are furnished cheaper than
any city in the northwest gets them,-
even at last years price. Mr.. Klaus says
it will be impossible to furnish the lights
as ordered, without a loss he is unable
to stand; that he will sell the plant to
the city at the price bonded for and let
the city run it. if the council thinks it
can be done cheaper.
It is reported that the Sioux Falls
water gas concern will have its PROPOSE.
ton before the conncil to supercede the
electric light. If this be true there is no
pleasant prospect ahead for those who
foot the bills or for the comfort and sat
of citizens who take any pride
in the city and It's reputation. Gas, even
of the best standard quality has never
been success in North Dakota, in the
towns where tried. In winter it burns
dim owing to the cold. Its expense has
never been so much less as to recommend
it's use in preference to the electric lights.
The water gas is as yet an untried ex-
pertinent in the lighting of a town, even
rs small as this.
Mr.. Klaus is public spirited citizen,
who has invested heavily here, and as is
we'll known during the last few years of
depression has made nothing from his
Investment. All bonafide taxpayers and
citizens should. and doubtless do desire
tc see the city lighted properly, by the
best light in the world, and to that end
ought to insist strongly that the present
excellent system be continued, if posi-
bic.