The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-22
LIGHT is in DARKNESS
BADLY MUDDLED CONDITION OF Pc
RU MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.
Electric Lighting Affairs Confused by
Rival Interests, Many PROPOSE
lions and Lack of Cash.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special 10 the Indianapolis JOufndi.
PERU, Ind, Aug. 21.-The electric street
lighting affairs of this city are in a pc
culiarly twisted condition. Several years
ago the Seckner Construction Company of
Chicago proposed equipping a new munich
pal plant for the city, answering the re-
quest of one of the councilmen. Later the
company recommended that the Council
would best buy out the company already
in the field, a corporation controlled by
Nat Covington and sons. The question
was up for some time without any action
being taken. Then the Covingtons offered
to dispose of their plant to the city, and at
the same time Henry Ulen. jr.. and Samuel
V. Perrott, of Indianapolis, came along
with a proposition for an entirely new sys-
tenn. The contest between the two com
panies and the people who favored the one
and the other grew TO considerable proper
lions. and at one time the situation was
serious. The offer of the Indianapolis peo-
pie was the greater attraction of the two.
and their proposition was accepted. Then
the Covingtons secured an injunction re-
straining the city from going into the new
contract.
Before the action was heard the Indian
apolis people gave up their talk of a new
system, and announced that they had abb
sorbed the old plant and would rebuild and
enlarge it. Work has been in progress for
several months. and 1t has been the unGer-
standing, though not made a matter Of
Council record, that when improvements
we're finished the city would pay the In
dianapolis people a certain sum for a GER
tain number of lights for ten years, after
which the ownership OF the system would
be vested in the city. The affair went
wrong a few days ago. 1t seems the In
Gianapolis people did not find smooth sail
ing in their financial affairs, and difficulties
ensued. They gave notice TO the Council
that their proposition for municipal owner
ship was rescinded. The city has been in
a commotion over the affair ever since.
To-day ii developed that the indianapolis
people were practically promoters without
individual capital. The Seckner Construc-
ton Company had a hold on their interests,
and this portion was bought up by the Gov
ingtons. Then, TO carry on improvements
of the plant the Indianapolis people had TO
get money from the Covingtons. and the
Covingtons have just now taken up the re-
manning portion on this obligation. so now
they are in control of the entire plant
again, and are coming to the Council once
more after this lapse OF time and all the
efforts on the part of the City Council Co
steer clear of them.
The City Council held a special session
tonight. and discussed the question for
three hours. The Covingtons presented a
proposition 10 lease the system TO the CITY
for ten years. after which the title is to go
TO the city, the city assuming $500 insur-
ance, $500 in notes 10 the Covingtons. and
$4,000 in bonds held by the Northern Trusl
Company. A resolution was offered for the
adoption of the proposition. 1t was neces-
sary TO suspend the rules. and, the vote
on that failing, the matter went over to
another meeting.