The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-02-20
stocks.
BOSTON, FEBRUARY Is, 1897
Municipal Lightfn y.

The attention OF the NEWS has been
called to the following article which ap-
peared in the Native Copper Times and
which will bear repeating The article
alter giving an account OF the annual
meeting of the Peninsula electric light
and power comp NY commented as fol-
lows:
THE above reductions, and particu-
iarly the one that goes into effect from
and after the LIST OF March next, are GER
tainly most liberal, and show a DISPOSE.
ton on the part OF the company to deal
tairly with it's patrons. This scaling
down OF prices has been made possible by
the improvement in plants, at consider
able cost, and ID evidence that the PENN
sula electric light and power company
desires TO eoi ~ the full confidence of pa
irons; wants them to understand and
realize thai fair interest on the invest
ment-say or 10 per cent-is all that
is expected, and that when the earnings,
by improvement or increased patronage.
warrant still further reduction it will
be as cheerfully made as were the prey
ious ones. This policy Is not new, but
was outlined about two or three years
ago, so that the claims of some people,
those who have agitated municipal light
ing, that to them belong the credit of
puncturing the electric light com any's
rate, is unfounded and Unjust to the COM
pany-a company managed by a num-
Der OF business men-Dractical men OF
extensive experience, and conse quently
men not prepared to be carried away
with all the whims and hobbies that may
emanate from persons seeking notoriety.
There has been, we understand, come
talk among the members OF our village
council as to putting in OF a plant, but 1t
will probably end there. as this village
already has outstanding obligations
enough to care for, without chasing after
some Will O. the Wisp-consdering ser.
iously the question OF going into the
lighting business-a venture that in the
writer's opinion would result in largely
increased taxation, which means that
the many who would not use the light
would be taxed. and for what? Certainly
not for anything that would benefit
themselves, but perchance to benefi,
John Doe and Richard Roe, two retired
merchants, who hope for cheaper light by
having Others. not usirg it, help pay fol
~. There ia certainly method in thi,
agitation. The venture is one that oul
v llages should leave severely alone. This
has been the experience # Ontonaoon
Marquette, Escanaba and a number o
other places that are heavily in debt OF
account OF want-to be mp to date-owr
their lighting plants. From anticipated
results we believe the Peninsula e'ectri,
light and power company, all things con
sidered, will IN time, (f not at present
furnish street lights IA chesply as could
this village with plant OF it's own, ant
street lighting alone interests AMI beae
fits all taxpayers. Residence lighting /,
a luxury, and one which 20 per cent O
the taxpayers cannot afford, and THU
large majority, we imagine, will not car,
to tie taxed to help the few get the bet
ter light for less money.
The moDev that plant would cost
expended 10 the Improvement Of our side
walks and streets or in putting in an VI
to date sewerage system. would beneh
all taxpayers. and IN this town prope
sewerage Ia not only desirable. but de
manded In the interest OF the health an,
welfare oil our people,"
Brother Wilson's remarks rsgardin
municipal ownership oflighting plants ar
20 the point. The same money investe