Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1891-01-22
FOR ELECTRIC LIGHTS!
The Project Presented IN Feasible Form.
"A Plant to be Operated BY
the City.--No Tax.
OIL VS.. ELECTRICITY.

The proposition to light the town of
Audubon, which has been 50 long con-
sldered in half hearted manner is now
presented in practical form and will
come before the citizens for rejection
or adoption, with large majority in
favor of the latter.
Mr.. Barr, of Des Moines, was In the
city Monday representing the Edison
Electric Light Company, of New York,
and with the aid of enterprising clti-
zens secured a sufficient number of sig
natures to petition to the council to
Gull an election upon the proposition to
bond the town in the sum OF $500 to
establish u plant, in accordance with
which the mayor has designated Mon
day, February End, rs the day for such
election.
The unanimity with which the busl-
ness men OF Audubon acted in petition
ing for the election shows conclusiyely
that they are in favor of lighting the
city by this modern and elegant means,
and the experience Of other cities and
the opinion Of those thoroughly ia.
miliar with the various modes is strong
ly in favor of municipal ownership.
The plan proposed does not involve
the city in expense, IL successfully car
ried out That the plant will be more
than self sustaining and In the end will
pay for itself is not question of doubt.
In the city OF Belle PLANE the plant is
owned by private corporation and it
is one of the best paying properties in
the city. AT Leon the plant is owned
by the town, and the sixteen candle
power incandescent lights are furnish
cd to the people at the nominal sum Of
twenty-five cents per month. And SO
an intcrminable list of cities might DO
cited to show where electric light plants
have been successfully conducted. 1t
is true that there are cases of failure.
but In every instance the cause can be
traced directly TO an effort TO establish
IL upon IN inferior plan.
II may be confidently stated that ten
sixteen candle power lights would bril-
liantly light an ordinary store room.
Tho expense IN all probability would
not exceed 10 cents each, per month,
total Of $3.50 per month. The chances
are that the expenses would be less than
this estimate. 10 light such an estab.
iishment with kerosene all will cost, in.
Guiding breaking, etc, from ~ to 10
per month. The difference when the
matter of cleanliness and convenience
are thought of IL inconsiderablo, As
to private residences the same compar-
ison is equally applicable and favorable.
That the general public will be more
largely benefited by city than private
ownership can be easily demonstrated.
If established by private company
the cost Of usage would be placed alta
figure which would pay for the plant
eventually and at the same time return
dividends. In all proba.
bility the cost would be raised above
the reach of the common people, max
Ing an extravaganza that few could in
lulge, and as the use was decreased tho
price would be correspondingly elevat-
ed. IL would cost the city alone $1,000
to light the streets, On the
other hand, operated by the town the
lights would be furnished at actual cost
after the plant Is paid for, and coming
.hus into general use the cost would BIO
reduced TO the minimum. by conduct
ng the plant in association with tho
water works system, both under tho
Of one superintendent,
Audubon will reap advantages even
lbove those of cities where the system
las been demonstrated success,
The experience Of others Is all in
'avor of city ownership, and Audubon
should profit by observation. Secure u
rood plant, adequate In size, with a
'alid guarantee by the company furn-
shing it, and the result will Justify our
most sanguine expectations.
Bear In mind that the plan does not
tax; that the persons
using the light will pay for the plant
and its operation, and vote for bonds
'ne week from next Monday. Audu-
bon Is pushing, growing, thriving
town, and by voting for the electric
light its far famed reputation for en-
terprise and pluck will be sustained.