The herald., 1897-05-14

| adena business men only confirm the state
ment that 95 per cent Of them are very
decidedly in favor of applying the same
business principles to the transportation
interests Of the city as to any other line
of business-in other words. that they are
most emphatically in favor OF allowing the
Terminal, or any other road, to enter on
| the same basis as the present electric road.
Also that they favor public ownership OF
the lighting plant. The experience of
| scores of cities, both in this country and
abroad, is demonstrating every day that
this is the correct principle and In this
case such experience is at least useful to
Pasadena in this that 1t demonstrates that
| the promised financial benefit to the city
| from the proposition of the Los Angeles
and Pasadena company in lighting the
streets free, is not the great thing they
would have us believe. Instead of its rep
resentng saving to the city of 900 per
year, as they allege, If the city is wise
enough to enter into similar contract to
that which Riverside has secured, and un-
der which that city Is now lighted, Pasa-
dena can then secure lights for her citizens
for private use at n very much lower rate
| than at present, and at the same time pay
for the public lighting with the proceeds
| from such sale. AS remarked by many of
| the citizens interviewed. which will build
| up the city most-to have the report go out
| that the city has delivered itself over to
corporation. with the consequent surren-
der of the rights of private oitizens-or that
the affairs of the city are so wisely manag-
ed that while competition is free and open,
| resulting in first-class service and low
rates of fare at the same time the public
lighting pays for itself, even while the
cost to the consumer of private lights Is
one-third of what it is now?
Capt. c. NJ. Simpson. attorney-I believe
in the inalienable right of every individual
and corporation to enter into competition
with others in the same line of business,
and l think the amount that would be
saved to the city by accepting the PROPOSE
ton of the Los Angeles and Pasadena
company would be more than counterbal-
anced by the hindering of the city's
growth resulting thereform. 1 was at
Riverside a few days ago and I there
learned from one of the prominent citizens
a conservative and well-posted man, that
the city of Riverside is carrying on its own
electric lighting system and furnishing
light to private consumers at about one
third what we pay for the same. while the
profit to the city is more than enough to
pay for the public lighting. The Herald's
editorial is most opportune and If Pasa-
dena is awake to her own interests she
will act on the suggestion. The franchise
asked for by the Terminal should be Of
fered to the highest bidder and if the Los
Angeles and Pacific company wants it let
them bid for it.
It. J. Martin, grocer--I don't like the
principle of keeping out competition and
for that reason think the Terminal ought
to be allowed to enter believe in cities
owning their own electric lighting gas
and water plants and I indorse The Her.
AIDS suggestion. l would prefer no more
roads in Pasadena if 1t could be done hon
orably.
A. n. Fessenden. stationer-If there Is
not business enough for two reads why
does another want to come in? And why
does the old one wish to keep the Terminal
out? | used to live in a suburb of Boston
which was dead and rapidly going to seed
until rapid transportation facilities were
introduced. Now there ten stores where
before there was one.
Conrad &c Hotaling. clothiers-We are
not worrying over the matter at all. so
far as the coming of a new road is concern
ed. Let them come. On the lighting prop
osition The Herald is right That's what
we want If the road is to be extended to
Sierra Madre and other points we are de-
cidedly in favor of It,.
F. d. Stevens, hardware merchant-I did
not sign the Terminal petition because it
was never presented to me, but I am de-
cidedly in favor of letting all roads in on
the same terms. Pasadena should follow
the example of Riverside and do her own
nSntlnE, according TO the suggestion in
The Herald.
r. II. Pinney, coal. hay and grain-This
proposition of the Los Angeles and Pasa-
dena company is too ridiculous to talk
about AS for the lighting of the city The
Herald's suggestion is good one and If
Pasadena is awake she will take advan-
tage of the chance she now has.
A. F. keyes-The wishes of the people do
not seem to cut any figure in settling these
matters. I believe in public ownership of
electric light and other public conven-
fences. The Herald's suggestions are
timely and should be carried out
H. II. Klamroth. real estate-There is but
one way that | can see it, Competition
seems to govern in other lines of business.
Why should the Los Angeles and Pasadena
company receive protection not accorded
to other lines of business? The city light
ing should be done on the plan suggested
by The Herald.
Gorge H. Coffin real estate-The right
way to settle this thing is to put up the
franchise asked for by the Terminal AMI
let the Terminal and Los Angeles and
Pasadena bid on it or anybody else that
wants it.
e. churchill is the height of absurdity to
give a monopoly to the Los Angeles and
Pasadena or any other road. The Termi-
nal, any other road, should be let in on
an even basis with the present one. The
Herald's suggestion concerning the city
lighting is the right one.