The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-09-04

part In FAVOR OF muncipA ownership,
and the citizens have twice decided at
an election that the city should own It's
plant. ] therefore feel that the major
lty OF the citizens are on our side and
want the plant built For this reason
take 1t upon myself to answer the
above objections for fear that many who
voted for this plant should come 10 the
conclusion that the prime supporters
of municipal ownership have changed
their minds
Replying to the first objection that 1t
will not be profitable: This ground was
fully covered by US before each OF the
past two elections. Our arguments must
certainly have been convincing. or the
citizens would not have voted in favor
OF the proposition. 1t is therefore unnec-
essary at this time to produce further
arguments proving the practicability and
ftableness of the venture. That was
settled by the people at the polls.
Answering the second objection that
municipal ownership viii put the plant
in politics.: / will ask any fair-minded
man il the question could possibly be
more in politics with city ownership than
It is right now while owned by private
company? This private company aud
It's friends seem to be exerting sufficient
influence TO have secured the assistance
OF seven aldermen out of twelve to sup
port 1t in its opposition to city owner
snip. IN making lllS sNHleulSuL 1 Wish
TO say that 1t is not necessary that the
seven aldermen be influenced by money
consideration. There are different kinds
OF influences. / simply make the state
ment that there Is an influence sufh-
GENTLY strong to control the law makers
OF our city which. up TO this time. has
prevented the carrying out of the ex-
pressed will of the people. Therefore
claim that this private company is ex-
erting a greater political influence in
our city and doing more harm than
could possibly be done II the city owned
an electric light plant.
I The Citizens Electric Light company
obtains from the city valuable privl-
lege TO run Its wires over Its streets.
This privilege should not be given to
them for nothing In the future rs In
the past. And the only objection to let
ting them continue to run without COM
petition and charging them a fixed sum
for the privilege is that they would then
add this franchise charge to the price
OF their lights and the people would De
worse off then than they ara now. The
only remedy to prevent extortionate
! charges for lights is for the city to own
a competitive plant. Houston is large
enough for two plants ana the city
owning plant will not destroy the pres
emit. but by reducing the price OF lights
will stimulate trade. and both would be
ton is the life Of trade"
Answering the third objection that
the plant can not be built for 100000.
4 would state that the board OF public
works. to whom the plans and speei-
hcations were submitted have reported
that X can be dene The civu engineer
Mr. Borde. backs all this with his state
ment that II can be done. The seven al
dermen alone claim It can not. Whom
do you think Is better able to 1udgeY
leave this for my readers to decide.
The fourth objection was answered a.
the last meeting OF the council, whei
! Mr.. Borde, the electrical engineer eni'
ployed by the city. went over tne pan
In detail for the benefit Of these alder
men. explained all apparent defects. and
showed UP eonclusively 10 any man whit
, wants information that the plans are no
q fake" but are perfect and practi-
cal The insttention on the part OF thu
several aldermen to these explanations
as they were made by Mr.. Borde show
that they do not want light on the SUB
; ject. and that II they can help It thel
do not intend that the city shall hay'
: light.
The fifth objection to the plant mo-
being large enough and that u Is no
p practical to enlarge II later on withou
great loss. can be answered by refer.
ence 10 recent notice which has ap
peared IN The Post as coming from the
MANAGER OF the Citizens Electric Ligh
company that they intend TO increase
Che capacity OF their plant so as 10 adj
ten thousand more tncandescent lights
and thus give everyone light ana power
y Now II the present plant. which has onl
: now Just been completed. finds II prac
tical and profitable to enlarge its ca
: pacity. why In the name OF heaven coul
{ not a plant owned BY the city be en-
y lsrged Just as soon as II is proven tina
g an enlargement is necessary The ene<
g neer proposes TO give as plant TO