The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-11-28
THE CITY COU NClI.
WILL NOT RECEIVE A PAPER PRE-
SrkTfD By TIE
EDISON COMPANY AND UTTERLY
REFUSES TO CONSIDER IRIS
PROPOSITIONS.

trio Lighting purposes was granted 70
the ''Martinsbnrg Electric Light and
Power Company the Edison Electric
Illuminating Company presented A.
reRonstranee aud proposal in oppose
ton 10 the grant Of suck franchise.
The Council refused by 4 aiaritt' y6teeI
70 receive the paperthns presented. o.
to consider the propositions contained
in it. That tho citizens of Martins
burg may sit in judgment upon their
public servants, and become informed
more fully on this subject We give be-
low, the full text Of the paper above
referred to. It is rs follows: &I
To the Honorable Mayor and Council
Of the Corporations Of Martasbttrg:
Tire Edison Electric Illuminating
Company respectfully represent that
they are vitality interested III the
proposition now pending before this
honorable body to grant franchise 70
the Martinsburg Electric Light and
Power Co., for lighting purposes.
The Edison Electric illuminating
Company was organized in 1889, I'M
der. franchise from this Council winch
required two-thirds of the capital stock
I to be held by citizens Of MartinsbnrR.
In compliance with this condition Of
the franchise, nearly all Of the moIey
invested was furnished by citizens Of
Martinsburg. all Of whom were and are
men of limited means. AIT the pres,
emit time the entire plant has been ac-
quired and is held by citizens, tax-pay-
ers Of the Corporation 81 Martinsburg.
This Company is therefore local con-
cern, created by local labor, enterprise
and money ana any action Of this
body, which will injure this Company,
will fall exclusively upon home peo-
Iple.
When the Edison Electric Illnmi-
mating Company began operations, its
rates for lighting purposes we're, after
careful consideration. fixed at price
lower than was the known in towns Of
same size in the limited States. They
have not since raised prices in any in
i stance nor have they in any manner
taken advantage of their exclusive
franchise. The Company were ar
ranging for purchasing and putting in
new machinery. 50 that they would be
/ in d better position than ever to sup
ply the demands of their customers
and the public ! but this proposition
for. the granting Of rival franchise,
led them to suspend their negotiations,
as the success Of Il rival company
means their complete ruin. It will al
SO duplicate to the Corporation any
bona fide propositian made sby any
other company for street lighting.
The grant of another franchise for
| lighting purposes will be not only ruin
Gus to the Edison Electric illuminate
ing Co., but win be of no advantage
to the citizens Of MartiHsburg, and will
be bad policy for the Council to pur.
sue.
| Franchises for supplying light and
water are monopolies which should be
owned by the Council and operated
under its exclusive control This is
the only proper method Of dealing
with them; as the success Of the Cor
poration in dealing with its water works
lis sufficient evidence pnd ought to
encourage the Corporation to pursue
Lit in this instance. Competition. does
not apply in cases Of this kind. The
number of people to be supplied is
limited, and one company can furnish
them more cheaply than two can pos
sibly do. One company properly con-
Quoted or run by the Corporation, can
with few additional dynamos, poles
and wires supply $1,000, people at a
cost proportionately much less than it
can supply 10000, or thanstwo com
panies can supply the same. number.
The history of Electric lights, Gas
companies, and Water companies illus
trates this view. Two rival Gas com
lpanies or Electric Light companies
have never succeeded in living in .
small town, nor in permanently re-
| ducing rates. For a while, war be-