The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-03-24
AN ELECTRIC LIGHT WAR
GAS COMPANY WILL CHANGE FOR
THE USE OF METERS.
II the User of It Patronizes the Other
Electric Light Company Elec-
trio Company Replies.

trio Company Replies.
! There is an angry sputter in the electric
lights these nights, if one will but stop
to listen. 1t is war-nOt between light
! and darkness as in primeval times, but
+, between light and light-electric light
at that, with gas thrown in ON one side.
| 1t began way back nearly a year ago.
Then it was gas against electricity, and
electricity won. 1t was not permitted to
enjoy it's supremacy long, however, for a
/, fire on New Years night wiped out the
electric plant.
The Gas Company then saw its oppor
tunity and at once put in an incandes-
cent electric light plant too and asked the
patronage of the citizens of Raleigh. The
Raleigh Electric Company like the tabled
phoenix, also rose from the ashes, renewed
and strengthened, and asked the patron
age of its old friends.
The city wanted more and better lights
The Electric Company got the contract,
and the Gas Company made great re-
duction in the gas it agreed to furnish
Then the contest for incandescent electric
lighting in buildings grew lively. The
Raleigh Electric Company got most Of it,
but nearly everybody, desired to have both
gas and electricity, as a matter of con-
yenience, and thus patronize both COM
panies. The Gas Company, however,
didn't like this arrangement for some rea-
son and Saturday afternoon they sent
out the following notice to all their pa
irons:
TO THE PUBLIC.
The Raleigh Gas Company having
put in complete Incandescent Electric
Lighting Plant, is ready to give its pa
irons the best arc. incandescent or gas
lights.
ITO those who use our light no charge
for gas-meters will be made Those
using lights from any other source and
desire to retain gas-meters, may do so
by paying us a monthly rental of 81 per
meter, the charge to be male in all in
stances where the consumption of gas is
less than 81 per month.
IF your lights are not entirely satisfac-
tory notify us and we will make them so.
"RALEIGH GAS COMPANY"
Ihis was the first public notice of
hostilities. If it meant anything it meant
discrimination and indignation was ex-
pressed at this seeming attempt to use
public franchise for the promotion of a
private enterprise.
Yesterday the Electric Light Company
issued the following in reply to this in
direct attack and attempt to compel it's
patrons to use the electricity of it's rival:
TO THE PUBLIC.
The recent remarkable circular issued
by the Raleigh Gas Company giving no
tice that meter rental charge of 81 per
month would be imposed upon all persons
using lights from any other source
who may desire also to retain their gas
meters, is manifestly so unjust and coer-
Give in character that it would need no
criticism or comment from us were it
not for the fact that our plant was re-
Gently destroyed by fire and it
may be that there are some
who do not understand that we
are again fully equipped and pre-
pared to furnish to the citizens of Raj
eigh electric lights of the most approved
quality, continuously night and day, mas
much as We have within the past few
days installed an additional dynamo and
have now two complete incandescent light
outfits to insure an uninterrupted service,
for If one engine or dynamo should break
down we can, in a few seconds, shift
! to our relief plant.
I'VE feel sure our patrons and the pub
lie generally fully appreciate and desire
healthy competition in the matter of
lights and will not be coerced or driven
into using what they do not want.
IF our citizens desire to have the street
cars and show a disposition to encour-
age a new enterprise which is endeavor-
ing to afford them a good and satisfacto-
ry light at minimum cost, they will
promptly resent any methods Of coercion.
1T is out present intention to have the
cars running by May LIST, and every eff
fort is being put forth to that end
I'VE are furnishing a steady and contin-
uous light at rate twenty per cent less
than the present cost OF gas, and if, after
using our lights, our patrons do not find
them satisfactory, they can quickly a
bandon them and patronize others. Could
anything be fairer than this?
RALEIGH ELECTRIC CO."