The record-union., 1897-06-08
STREET LIGHTING DEMANDS.
Mayor Hubbard Still Refuses to Sign
Them.
He Gives His Reasons Therefor in
Message-The Company
VIII Sue.

At last nights session Of the City
Trustees the following message was re-
ceived from Mayor Hubbard disapproV-
ing the demand Of the electric company
for street lighting:
To the Honorable Board of trustees;
/ return to you herewith the demand
of the Sacramento Electric, Gas ana
Railway Company for 81, AGO for light
ing the city during the month of May
1897, with 240 2000-candle power arc
lamps at the rate of so p each. This
demand was made under a contract
passed by your board over my obJec-
lions on March Sth.
My reasons for disappearing this de-
mand are the same as those given by the
Auditor, and also for the reason that L
consider it my duty to protect so far as
lies within my power, the interests OF
the taxpayers Of the city against any
exorbitant or unjust claim.
l contend that the contract is illegal,
in that the price charged for each lamp
is excessive, exorbitant and unjust, is
in excess of the prices charged to pri-
vate customers for like services by this
company, and as being in contraven-
ton of Section % of the charter.
on the Dist day of May 1 addressed
the following communication to the
Sacramento Electric, Gas and Railway
Company:
Sacramento, Cal, May 81, 1891.
Sacramento Electric, Gas and Railway
Company-Gentlemen: Under a con-
tract made with the Board of Trustees
of this city, which was passed over my
objections on March Sth of this year,
you are now lighting the streets of Sac
ramento, and under this contract you
propose to demand payment from the
city at the rate of SO % per month for
each 1000 candle-power arc lamps oper-
ated AS there are now 240 lamps, your
demand win no doubt be for s., AGO per
month.
l consider it my duty to object to the
payment of such demand, and shall en-
join the Auditor to prevent his drawing
a warrant to pay the demand after pre-
sentation and allowance of same by the
board, basing my objections on Section
% of the charter of this city, which pro-
vides that no contract shall be entered
into whereby the city shall be required
to pay more for electric lighting, or other
commodities than the same are fur
nished to other customers.
1 am convinced that I can establish
the fact that your demand of SO % per
month per lamp is at least % per cent.
in excess of prices charged to other Gus
toners.
will further suggest that, if your de-
mand is made against the city at the
rate of IS per lamp per month, 1 shall
ant hoi
drawn for the amount of your bill at the
last mentioned rate.
l feel that it is incumbent upon me, as
Mayor of this city, to enjoin the pay
ment Of any demand at the eXorbitant
and excessive rate mentioned in your
contract with the city. l am yours, very
respectfully,
c. H. HUBBARD, Mayor.
This company is a large corporation
and has invested a considerable amount
of capital in this city, and no doubt has
one of the best water-powers in the
world. 1t claims to have great advan-
tages and to be able to furnish electric
power in almost unlimited quantities
and at very small expense. This city has
granted that corporation certain fran
chises by which it is permitted to use
the streets Of our city for pole lines
and railways without which franchises
it's entire plant would be practically
valueless, and for this reason, If for
none other, this company should DE able
and willing to furnish the city with cleo
trio lights at a very low price. Such
franchises are of great value and no
city should grant them without receiv-
ing a fair share of the profits arising
from the operation of them
The city of Salt Lake, Utah, in January
last. granted a similar franchise to the
Utah Electric Power Company and in
consideration of having the use of its
streets, etc, the company agreed to
furnish the city with electric power at
the rate of SO a year per horsepower
and at that price the city is enabled to
operate its street lamps at less than So
per month each
This matter of public lighting is
being carefully considered by every city
in the United States, and tables have
been prepared showing the cost in al
most every city of Importance in the
country l can give you the prices paid
in many cities. and which, compared
with the price in this demand, will,
think, convince you tnal II Is eNoIDltdiA'
and unjust. These prices, which
quote. are all for 1900 candle-power arc
lamps per month:
Denver. Col. So So; Hartford, Conn.
81; Dunburry, Conn, 81; Bloomington
III. 50; Pekin, H., 81; Rockford. Ill.
81 80; Peoria. H., 81 3d. Bay City, Mich.
81: Detroit, Mich, Sc; Atlanta, Ga, 81
Jacksonville Fla, 81 80; Davenport
Ia, 81 &c; Cedar Rapids, Ia, 81 So Du-
buque Ia, 50 3S; Topeka, Kan, 81 10
Bangor, Me, 81; Springfield, Mo-. So 90
St Joseph. Mo, 81 30; Birmingham, n
Y. 50; Lockport, n. Y. Sc; Rome, n. Y.
ST: Syracuse. n. Y, IS so; Harrisburg
Pa. 81; Winiamsport, Pa, 81; Cincin.
natl. O.. 81; Columbus, O., So 20
Youngstown, o.. 50 80; Dallas, Tex.
81 80; Fort Worth, Tex, So %; and
Ivnchburg. Va, s. 80.
Some of the above-named cities owl
their plants, some of which are oper
ated by water power, but most of then
furnish the power with steam. I coulC