New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-03
STPrET- PHILOSOPHY.

Address Of Alexander Dow before the National
Electric eht Association.
Having recied my premises. | now state my pro-
posed policy a omm, udat.on. as follows I
recommend that the asso>iation declare by reso!u-
Frst-rhat a municipality may properly provide
for public lsh'inr. Sitier ny me OWNERSHIP ana
ailon nf a contractor under lease 81 municipality
owned plant or by contract nth the owner OF
second hat the supply OF electric lish, to pri-
ThirG-Iha, the perfornance OF pGb.ic lighting
undsr contract BY rri.a,s !iani n- n Connection
essential y Tue method OF leis. expsase.
r1ufth-That the ex stence Ct two eiectrir-lisht-
iu. plants IN the territory L. .touOmr
,rrof tending TO n.rease tie cost of production.
tenarce OF competition II 10 the detrim,nt OF inc
public - .... .s.,,
be performed at the loves, price cons s,ent with.
A reasonable profit on the value of the Investment
that no electric-lishtins contractor should demand
more than such proht. and mat each municipality
should protect the contractor IN to- enjoyment OF
his pron, ard against Impairment OF his invest
meni. in order that a minimum proit may become
reasonable.
be ascertained and price approved by ccmpe-
tent authority acS' p'anie 10 the pubic az well as
- J,ventt-i nat. in the absence Of A constituted
scribe plces. members havEg publ lighting con
tracts Under consideration SHOULD endeaVor 10 have
bv A temporary commission or arbitration com
tnittee who viii adopt a. the basis OF adjustment
Hs plI%'i N Tssoa,om 10 '"'S par
Eichth-That there L. no essential difference In
TIE organization OF mum, ipaly OWNED plants re-
ontring A different analysis of costs from that
which Is proper Tor private enterprises and that
,ns nuhlc atiun OF the costs OF municipal ishtng
plants properly analysed is hershcal to the elee-
iric. lighting industry. Further. that the similar
rub,iraton 81 the costs OF private plants is de-
slrable but Is AZ present impossible. because Of It's
ADVANTAGES to actual or possible coriipe,itors
In conclusion. | desire to say that the tendency
If ,utlic ouii ION appears 10 te toward some inter
ference by ana behalf Of the public with cor
rcraticns performirg so-called public services.
Such q tendency IL toncomttant OF our social
nrogress. II Is not merely a temporary surge. but
il "A part Of general movement. u cannot ne
wlth.tood hut may he guided nto pr)p'r rnannei,.
The gen. Ial result Of any such movement Is for
good the damage which Is done TO individual rights
is ncido ntal AMI ~ more often the result OF need.
las opposition by the individual In this matter OF
public lighting the right OF the community 70 IN
ierfere is so evident that II has been one OF me
nrst Subjects considered and will be one cf inc
Grst dis ed of and its priority In time will csao.
sh it, lispcslon as precedent for the future
disposition OF similar questions. There |: immS'
dlate need frr clear thinking and for well.coneiS
cred sreech and action-for speech telling the pug
lie that elpctrir light comranlts desire to 10 ous
ness according to the Golden Rule and for aeuon
plainly In conformity with the speech. bsissSs
that this association can appropriately SPEAK 10,
It's membership. and that Its members ore wuutt.s
to live up TO the principles which the assocs"o"
Fay enunt late.