The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-05-17
Council Declines TO Submit to
West Shore Mills Demands.
A VICTORY FOR THE PEOPLE
Matter Nov Rests Solely With The Water
Commission City Ownership Of Light
Ing Facilities The Only Solution
Of the Question

The city council met in special ses-
sion last night Cor the purpose Of con-
sldering the public lighting question,
which is paramount In the minds
OF the citizens Of this city at present.
The action taken shows very clearly
that the council rs determined to stand
for the people In the lighting matter
and II there is any perceptibie change
In the attitude OF the majority II Is
that they have grown even more de-
termlned in their position than before.
The sense Of the council was crystal
lied In the following resolution. which
was submitted by Councilman Scher-
neckau and passed. the members vot-
ing as follows: For the resolution
Goddard. Brix. Parker. scherneckau
and Agren; against-Utzinger. Hansen
and Cook CounSilman svensen was
not present, owing TO his absence from
the city:
Resolved, That the committee on
ways and means be instructed and
the same is hereby authorized to con-
fer with the water commission in or
der to induce the latter TO take imme-
diate steps TO complete its electric light
plant and to furnish the city with the
necessary lights and to make report at
the next regular meeting Of the coun-
Gil"
The vote ON the resolution demon
strated beyond all doubt that those
couneilmen who have championed the
city's interests thus far in the light
ing matter. have not swerved from
their original course and purpose.
Those who stood by the public at the
first meeting In which the lighting
question came up we're found true to
their trust last night.
Although the West Shore Mills Com
pany has been turned down by the
city council three times within
as many weeks, It had a rep
resentative on hand last night to
support proposition to the effect that
the company would willingly stand by
its original bid to furnish lights for
the city. In other words, the company
made another request that the coun-
Gil enter into a contract at the same
old extcrtionate rates. The council,
however, did not see the matter in that
light and ordered the communication
laid hn col hs a
that the ether propositions of the West
Shore Mills Company have been forced
to travel.
The only deduction that can be made
from the proceedings to date is that the
people have won out as against grasp
ing and unreasonable corporation
which. until within the past few weeks.
did not overlook an opportunity to
give forth the impression that it had
the Astoria lighting contracts fixed"
indefinitely.
The matter. as it now stands. justi-
fes but one conclusion and that is
that this lighting question can be per-
manently settled in but one way. That
means the utilization of the city's ia
cilities by the city in the interest Of
the taxpayers. The people demand that
the electric light service be conducted
by the municipality, and now that
their minds are fully made up on this
point, nothing else will suffice.
The matter now rests entirely in the
hands of the water commissioners. 1t
is understood that they are willing to
act when representatives Of The coun-
ell shall call u meet with them.
The public viii watch subsequent
proceedings with much interest and
concern.