The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-06-06

commission compelled 10 put In the wa
ter system but sn It's wisdom had
thought proper 10 do 50. Hs insisted |
that the commission DO something OF
give up the electric lighting business
for good and quit chlld's play. He
suggested that the commission might
allow the resolution 10 fall and the
West Shore Mills Company 10 raise
their charge 70 $500 per light. He
would not blame Mr., Trullinger for
trying 10 get all he could out Of il
50 long as he had the monopoly. The
bluff on him had been worked long
enough, he said, and II Is useless 70
try TO keep his rate down " threat
ening TO put In a plant when the
commission does not mean business.
Mr. Van Dusen made a manly and
straight forward plea for the adoption
Of The resolutions. He thought Of the
electric lighting scheme as he did Of
the water plant when Il was put In.
lie Haw money being drained from
the people Of Astoria FOR insurance
because of lack Of proper water sup
ply. He believed then that the leaks
of the town ought to re stopped now
Jus, as he believed II then. Since put
ting IN the water system. he said, in
surance rates had been lowered 20 to
% per cent, saving the taxpayers not
less than $4,000 per annum. He be-
lleyed that the commission was estab-
lished 10 serve the people and that
the people could be best served by the
municipality, 50 as to save them mon
~ In this business, The commission
could certainly run the lighting sys-
TEN so as TO give a reduction 10 the
taxpayers to the consumers. II the
city is ever going into this business.
there will never be better time than
the present.
Mr.. Elmcre stated that little towns
in the Valley were paying 25 and 80
cents each for lights and he could
not see why we should pay S.25. We
are. ne declared. just as much bound
10 put in the electric plant as we were
TO put in the water works.
Judge Bowlby stated that the com
mission was not originally appointed to
put in an electric lighting plant, but
that this power had only been con-
ferred later. The commission would
not have exclusive power. II must
depend upon the council to pay for
the street lights and might have trou-
bic with that body. To this Mr.. FL
more replied that the street lights could
be shut Off at any time and the pow
er be employed in furnishing lights
TO private parties instead. These would
be operate dby the water power held
by the commission and the West
Shore Mills Company could not enter
into competition with the commits
sion on account of their expense for
fuel.
Judge Bowlby said that If it could be
proven that the scheme would pay
he would be in favor OF T. He be-
lieved that 1t would be necessary to
buy out Mr.. Trulllnger in order to
make a success OF this enterprise.
Again. he did not believe that the
citizens Of Astoria were interested in
the matter. Only five individuals had
taken the trouble to mention the mat
ter to him, two prominent property
owners and three citizens who were
comparatively poor men. The former
told him to leave it alone by all means.
and the latter We're in favor Of the
city erecting the plant. 1t would on
ly cost $500 or $500 more than last
year to accept Mr.. Trullinger's propo-
siiion for another year. and material
would then probably be cheaper and
also more information could be gain
ed by that time.
| Mr.. Trenchard agreed that It was
not a matter to be taken up at the
present time.
Mr.. Elmore called for the reading
Of the roll on the question Of the
adoption of the resolution.
The vote on Mr. Elmore's resolution
was as follows:
Ayes-Elmore, Van Dusen.
Nays-Bowlby, Dement,, Trenchard,
Fisher. Wright.