The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1895-11-08
ELECTRIC LIGHT QUESTION +!
Action Taken at the Borough Council
Meeting Last Evening.
THE COMPANIES DISSATISFIED
They Say the Rights of way Granted Are
Practically of no Value on Account
of the Condition Imposed Regard
ing Erection of the Plants

regular meeting last night and after a hot
debate the two applications for rights of way
were granted, but representatives of the COM
panies interested say the grants are of no use
to them, owing to part of the condition
attached, and so far as they are concerned
there is no likelihood of new systems of eec-
trio lights being introduced into the town in
the near future.
The members of Council in attendance
were Messrs Mcclure, Kane, r. j. James,
Gable, Reese Dougherty, Hand, D. R. James,
Boehm, Magargle, Kerns, Straughn and
McElhenny.
A grade for pavement at the property of
John L. Hassler, on West Coal street, was
fixed upon the recommendation of Borough
Surveyor Gregory,
The street committee has put crossing at
the corner of Gilbert street and Huckleberry
alley and will give attention to the corner
of Jardin and Line streets and the bridge on
East Centre street.
Mr.. r. j. James, chairman of the finance
committee, stated that the borough treasury
is empty and from 49, 500 to $4,000 worth of
bills await payment. On January LIST, 1896,
S25, 100 worth of old borough bonds became
due. The committee was authorized to refund
the bonds.
Mr.. Kerns recommended that Patrick
McLain be exonerated from tax.
In view of the statement made by the
finance committee it was decided that all
bills on the secretary's table be laid over un-
til the next meeting of Council. The action
covered bills for salaries street and water
works labor.
profile fixing a grade for East Apple
alley and submitted by the Borough Surveyor
was adopted.
| report by Mr.. Dougherty in behalf of
the ordinance and street committees brought
up the electric light question. Mr. Dougherty
said the committees were satisfied to grant
the rights of way asked for by the Citizens
Light, Heat & Power Company of Mahanoy
township and the Delano Light, Heat &
Power Company on condition that they
would pay an annual tax on their poles and
wires, the tax to be fixed by Council.
! The question of identity of the people in
terested in the Mahanoy township company
was again raised and in answer to a question
Mr. M. J. Lawlor, representing the company,
stated that the two gentlemen whose names
were withheld had nothing to do with the
electric light companies already in the town.
President Mcclure asked if the company
proposed to begin work Immediately and Mr..
Lawlor answered that it would as soon as it
had guarantee that it could get into the
market. 1t would not erect plant without
knowing whether OF not it could get into the
town. 1t proposed to erect plant in Maha-
nOy township near the Gilberton borough
line and in addition to Shenandoah give a
supply to Gilberton Girardville, Frackville
and Mahanoy City The company intended
to apply to the Giardville Council next week
in ease the Shenandoah Council should act
favorably.
After considerable discussion on the ques
ton of good faith and the value and effect o.
charters, President Mcclure requested Mr.
McElhenny to take the chair and moved thai
both companies be given rights of way OF
condition that they erect their plants within
the borough limits and begin work within
six months from the passage Of the ordi
nance and complete it in nine months
The motion brought several Councilmeu t,
their feet and the debate ran up to feve
heat. Mr.. A. B, Lamb, who made the appli
cation in behalf of the Delano company
asked Council to weigh the motion CAREFUL!
before acting upon it. The restriction as t,
the erection of the plant, he said, nigh
make the grants valueless to the applicants
Acting President McElhenny asked Mr.
Lamb if it was not the intention of tb'
Delano company to furnish the power from
the electric railway power house at MahanSy
City, and Mr.. Lamb replied that at the presen
time the company has made no such arrange
ment.
Mr.. Lawlor stated that his company, being
= Mahanoy township corporation, it would II,
doubt be obliged to erect its plant in tha
township.
The debate became so warm that at one
time Counciimen T. j.. James and A. D
Gable were on their feet having an exchange
with Acting President McElhenny
The motion as made by President McGuir,
was finally carried by vote of 8 to 8.
Borough Surveyor Gregory stated tina
many of the bad wooden pavements in the
town were due to teamsters driving over then
and the Chief Burgess should stop the practice
Mr., Gable reported that the gate valve
west Of the check valve at the Brandonvill'
pumping station broke yesterday morning
1t is expected repairs will be completed by
this evening.
The report of the Borough Treasure
showed balance of $3.50 ON hand
Chief of Police Tosh reported So arrest
for October. Fines were collected from A
and 12 served time The fines amounted t
$50.
Chief Burgess Burns collected S162 70
fines, permits, etc, during October
Mr. Il. j. James wanted TO know wha