Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-05-22
l||G|H|I|'0RD'|NA|N|(I EAlS
Council Has Warn Tine over. Pro
ossd New Light Ordnance Of 8
Dr. Hsrris
Benson Substitutes ! Section on
Rates and the Trouble Begins
- Comparison.
Lighting Company Claims Il Can
Not Possibly Do Business Ct
Rates Proposed.

The city council held q very spirited
special session Monday night at the
city building, at which time was intro
duced the promised ordinance of DR..
Harris on the fixing Of rates Of electric
Light. and gas. The title Of the ordi-
nance was An ordinance establishing
and liking the rates to be charged con-
sumers for electric current and gas
lighting and other purposes. providing
for the inspection OF meters and pro-
viding penalties for the violation Of the
ordinance
The text OF the ordinance Is very
much the same as the one now in force,
very much as the one now In force.
with the exception OF section 4, which
materially reduces the price OF incan-
descent lights for stores and residences.
The ordinance was read aud on Its
first reading the Willingness of the
council to pass it seemed to be ,inani-
nous. II passed to Its second reading,
by title, whereupon Mr.. Benson Intro
differed in the aectiOns4 or The section
that made the sweeping reductions. Mr..
Benson said. In support of his substi-5
tute. that he did not think it wise to,
pass an ordinance that the MARSHALL.
town Light. Power & Railway Com
pany would not accept, for he didn't
think the company's franchise would
compel 1t to accept. He thought that II
some happy medium could be found the
consumers and company would be on.
better terms, and everything would be
harmonious. while on the other hand
the action. II DR.. Harris ordinancewer
passed, would result In nothing, as the
present rates would still remain in
force.
THE HARRIS ORDINANCE.
The section 4. which 10 the radical
change from the. present ordinance. as
introduced by DR.. Harris, is as follows.
That every person, Arm or corpora
tion furnishing electric current to con-
sumers for any purpose within the city
shall furnish the same at price or
rate not to exceed Is cents per 1000
watt hours. and said person. Arm or
corporation shall. allow for the prompt
payment OF bills on or before the 10th
day OF the month succeeding the con-
sumption the following discounts:
zone cent per Il 600 watt hours on all
bills.
ION bills Of $4,000 watt hours and
over. per month. 2 cents per 1000 watt
hours.
ION bills Of 10000 watt hours and
over, per month, 2lz cents per 1000
.1on BINS Of 100000 watt hours and
over, per month. 3 cents per !. 900 watt
hours.
provided said person, firm or corpo-
rc on may charge minimum bill Of
n over 75 cents per month. and no
other charge shall be made for meter
rent"
BENsoN,s SUBSTITUTE.
The same section of Mr.. Benson's sub
etitute, in order to show the exact diff
ference between the two ordinances. for
they differ only in this one section, is az
follows:
THAT every person. firm or corpora
tion furnishing electric current to con-
Aumers for any purpose within the city
snail furnish the same at the following
price or rate:
Z n ..seventeen cents per 1000 watt hours
on all bills except a. follows:
ION bills OF 25. 600 watt hours and over
per month. 16 cents per 1000 watt
hours.
ION bills Of 900 watt hours and over
per month, Is cents per 900 vat hours.
ION bills Of 100000 watt hours and
over per month, il cents per 1000 watt
hours.
..But said person, Arm or corporation
may charge 4 cent per 1000 watt hours
additional to the above on all bills not
paid at the Office Of the company on OF
before the 10th day OF the month sue
ceeding the consumption, and providing
that the said person, Arm or corporation
1 may charge the minimum bill Of not
more than as cents per month. and no
charge shall be made for meter rent.
THE PRESENT ORDINANCE.
The present rates. under which the
company IL furnishing lights TO Mar
ehalltown consumers. are In accordance
With the ordinance passed last fall
which called for an IS cent rate. with
cent of on all bills paid on or before
the 10th OF the month: cents OF on al
over so. 900 watt hours and 2la cents of
on all over 100, 900 watt hours, making
the net rate practically II cents on all
lights under 10000 watt hours; l6 cents
I over 10000 watt hours and 15lz cents fol
s l00. 900 watt hours and over.
The Harris ordinance, therefore. il
readily seen to reduce the price 2 cents
per 4 900 watt hours from the minimum
+ rate at present, with still ! cent re.
;tiuction for prompt payment OF bills OF
in other words II makes the rates from
IA to 12 cents. according to the number
OF watts consumed. Mr.. Benson's sub.
stitute makes the range Of prices from
Z IA to II cents. or a reduction from the
& present net rate OF cent on all over
$4,000 watt hours: cent on all over So.
200 watt hours. and ~ cents on all over
s ion, 900 watt hours.
sMALL-SIZED TILT.
Al small-sixed tilt occurred after the
Introduction OF Mr.. Benson substitute
4 DIR. Harris claimed that Mr.. Benson had
signed the committees report, which
B was In accordance with hip ordinance
s and now he introduced a substitute. DR.
+ Harris thought that the council wal
giving the company the long end Of II
Il II 1t would pass the ordinance as orlgi,
naily presented. Mr.. Benson replied
saying that he did not sign the commit,
n tee report. but that he was as DESTROYS
as Or. Harris to benent the people O
Narshalltown as concerned their ratei
for lights. What am figuring on HI
4 said. lis for the council to do the bes
! It can under the present circumstances