The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-04-06
COuncilmen Express Opinions Re-
lative to Proposed Bids.
wHATMAYOR BERGMAN SAYS
While Public EcOuOmy Is First at
Heart the Old Company Should
Not BE Treated Too FiarShI,.

The announcement made in the As
torlan yesterday morning that local
parties had decided 10 enter into com
petition with the West Shore Mills
Company for the contract 10 furnish
lights for the city. caused widespread
discussion and brought forth express
sions Of general approval. 1t is un-
mistakeably the sense OF the community
at large that II any company or COM
bination OF capitalists can be found
who Will agree to furnish lights for
public and private use In the city. they
ought to be encouraged. as II is the
general impression that too much
money Is now being paid for the SER
vice given.
Councilman schenerckau stated 10
an Astorian representative yesterday
that he was satisfied that the city
council would offer every encourage
ment to outside parties intending to
enter into competition for the con-
tract, which win begin on the 18th Of
next month. Mr.. Schenerckau stated
that while the West Shore Mills Com
pany may have been perfectly lair and
honest with the city, he believed It to
b. against the best public policy to
permit--and Il is the councils duty to
prevent II possible-the mono
poly OF any municipal franchise
or contract by single company or set
OF individuals. He stated yesterday,
without reverse. that ne had been given
every reason TO believe that the West
Shore Mills Company. In the absence
OF competition. had exacted terms from
the city which otherwise would have
been impossible. For some time past,
he said. the city had been almost alb
solutely under the thumb Of the West
Shore Mills Company. and. being un-
able to do any better. the council was
obliged TO accept ITS propositions as
the only thing in sight
Councilman Utzinger stated last
night that he would be heartily in ac-
cord with any proposition tending to
reduce the expense of lights to the
city and consumers. as well as to Sc
cure lights Of standard candle-power.
according to pending contracts.
The contracts" said he, now call
for street arc lights OF 2,OOO-candle-
power. We are getting lights of even
less than 1.2OO-candle power If the
parties who propose to compete for the
city contract win give a sufficient bond
to fulfill the terms set forth in this
morning Astorian. can see no OBJ
lection why the council should hesi-
tate to entertain their proposition to
utilize the city's water power, as long
as reasonable compensation for the
use Of the improvements is offered.
Personally am quite friendly with the
managers Of the West Shore Mills Com
pany, but in my capacity as council
man l will stand pat on any propo-
sition which is calculated to subserve
the best interests of the city. If we
can get better and cheaper lights from
the new company, or any other respOn-
sible corporation, am in favor Of CIV
ing them the contract"
Mayor Bergman declares, unreserv-
edly, that in his opinion, lights can
not be supplied at the figures given in
the Astorian yesterday morning. Said
he:
In my capacity as mayor, I have
received numerous communications
and propositions from people from
abroad. also have a fair personal
knowledge as to the cost Of electric
service, whether 1t be for power or
lighting purposes--and 1 will say can
didly that do not believe these people
can give us the desired service at the
figures they quote.
Another point wish to make is that
L do not think It just for the city to
turn down the West Shore Mills Com
pany upon the slightest pretense at
economy. Those people put in plant
and took chances on the outcome of
the venture when Astoria was small
and without definite future. They
gave us a metropolitan electric light
service at a time when none others APP
peared who were enterprising enough
or willing enough to take the risk.
They have thousands Of dollars invest
ed in the plant now and believe it
would be most unfair for the city to
turn them down unless there was
most reasonable excuse for doing so.
look upon matters of this nature from
the standpoint of principle as we'll as
public economy, and I am willing that
you should quote me as expressing the
above opinions"
1t is understood that propo-
sition from new company for
lighting the streets, etc., is now
being formulated to be present.
ed to the council at its next meeting.
Blank contracts and a reasonable bond
will also be submitted as proof of a
to do business and as evil
dence of good faith.