Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-02-18
Let Richmond Announce Her Position.

Let HlcntuOnQ Announce t1eT EOSlJlOn'
City-Engineer CUrsHAw is of the opinion
that Richmond should own an electric
light plant and that she ought to announce
her position on this question, though he
does not regard this as favorable time
TO make the investment.
His words will have great weight, for he
speaks intelligently; Is open and bold and
tells the city, regardless of whom it may
help OF hurt, what he thinks is for her best
interests.
AS TO when the plant should be bought
opinions differ somewhat.
The great majority Of tho members of
che City Council agree with Engineer Our
Straw that Richmond should have an cleo
trio plant with which to supply light for
her streets and for private consumers.
Therefore let this conclusion be embodied
in resolution or ordinance and be adopted
without any delay. That viii notify all
the world of the city's purpose
Next let date be fixed when she
will occupy the field. Agreement upon
this point will not be nearly so easy as
upon the other, but good-tempered dis
cussion will enable members 10 arrive at O
tolerably wise conclusion. The judgment
OF the Common Council was for immediate
action. 1t passed an ordinance appropri-
ating S75, 900 to establish plant and twas
generally assumed that IL could be gotten
into perfect working operation by January
1, 1892. Now estimates are exhibited in
tended to undermine faith in the
figuring which made $500 ample. From
all that we can hear less than $125, 900
would give Us a house and lot, and power
and equipment far better than the electric
company now possesses. As consumption
increases the facilities must be increased.
That follows as matter of course.
We do not wish to hurry the city into
any ill-adyised step, but we think the best
judgment Of Richmond is in favor Of her
owning plant. Then why not say so?
Next, fix date as early as possible when
the city will undertake 10 supply the COM
munity with electric light. The post
ponement should not be for too long, else
the companies will become 20 well rooted
that TO get rid Of them may cause trou-
BILE. The plan way--the straightforward
course--is to declare the intention Of the
city in an ordidance. For this purpose
the $4,000 appropriation proposed by the
Common Council will be just the thing
and il may be amended fixing q day mot
too remote) when the sum shall be spent
In purchasing plant.
Our situation admits of no hating OF
hesitating. TO surrender the eleotrio-light
field TO private corporations is to invite
them to force us to sell our gas-works.
They can make it Improbable propsrty.
That done, the city will wish TO sell, and
the electric companies viii be the only
persons who viii care to buy.
We say that the city should possess her
own electrio-light plant; that that fact
should be emphatically proclaimed; that
date ought to be fixed for commencing
operations, that that date should not be
very distant, and mean while that fran
chises should be given al companies OF
persons who wish to sell this community
electric light.
But TO grant franchises before taking an
unequiyocal position win be for the city
20 tic her own hands.
There win have TO DO light depart
ment. The City Engineer pointed out at
the meeting Of the Committee on Streets
night before last how unbusiness~iiko II is
to have two committees--one on gas
one on electric iight--dealing with this
subject. II win never do. When we nave
our electric plant we must see that it is
managed ia connection with the gas
works.
One committee or ono board Of commits
sioners should control both.