The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-05-16
TO DECIDE THE
LIGHTING QUESTION
COUNCIL TO MEET TONIGHT
Members Of the Water Commissions Ex-
pseted 10 Be Thsrs-.A Taxpayer Makes
Valuable Suggestion.

council VIII meet In special session 20
consider the question Of public lighting.
Let the councilmen remember that the
taxpayers OF the city Will hold each one
Of them accountable. not alone as a
public officer. but as a citizen who
should have the welfare and prosperity
OF Astoria at heart. for his acts and
utterances.
The contest that has been made to
prevent further extortion In the matter
OF public lighting has not been con-
Quoted on the principle OF holding mass
meetings and getting opinions Of ex-
cited citizens. but has been sustained
and Is supported by the sober thought
Of the business men and taxpayers who
have been quietly figuring out what
they have been getting for their
money.
The people demand better lights for
less money The council and the water
commission can satisfy the demand.
and will do Il, II they do their duty
as public servants and progressive
citizens.
The following communication to the
Astorian voices public sentiment
throughout this city. II Is business
like and sensible. The contributor
says:
ASTORIA, May i5.--Editor Astorian:
Without any desire TO become a par
tlcipant IN the controversy now inter-
csting the citizens OF Astoria. II oc-
ours TO me that few comments. peril
ncnt 10 the subject Of street lighting
and municipal ownership. will not be
amiss AT this time.
With only superficial knowledge OF
the cost OF machinery. l am positive
that $4,000 would amply cover the
cost OF installing. equipplng and put
ting In running order. an electric light
plant capable of furnishing sufficient
lights for the city for many years TO
come. There r. no question but that
this amount could be readily raised.
A conservative estimate OF the income
Of such plant would be 1000 a month
(abodt one-half Of your estimate Of the
present company's income). This would
easily pay the running expenses Of the
plant. pay interest on the bonds and
provide a sinking fund which would
retire the bonds within ten years. Fur
thermore. this would furnish lights at
cost 10 the city and individual consum-
ers OF not more than one half the pres
cni rates. These figures can be sub
stantlated by anyone who will take
the trouble TO investigate.
| notice that the present estimate Of
wnter power is that II Is available for
nifty street lights only. Taking this
for granted. the additional power re-
quired can be generated by the installa-
ton OF an extra boiler and dynamo
near one Of the city lumber mills, where
cheap fuel can be obtained in the shape
of mill waste. In naming a cost of
$4,000 this extra plant was taken into
consideration. Such a system would
not only provide sufficient power for
Illuminating purposes but would enable
the city TO furnish power for manufac-
turing purposes, street car lines. etc.
Another point which must not be over
looked is that the cheapening Of pow
er will induce residents to put more
lights in their houses and places of
business. thus augmenting the city's
income.
AS to the method OF raising the
amount required: am positive that a
loan would be subscribed for right here
at home. for there are lots OF inves-
tors, large and small, who would grasp
an opportunity OF purchasing gilt-e ige
securities. under which head the elec-
trio light bonds would certainly come.
A home loan. think. would be the
more popular, but. II the water COM
mission preferred to dispose Of the
bonds in a block. good price could
be realized in the Eastern money CEN
ters.
A reference to any of the commercial
papers will show that municipal and
community bonds always command a
high price. l will cite only one instance
of many. On Wednesday last, Butler
county, Ohio, sold a $4,000 issue Of 4
per cent bonds at Si.07 6S-100.
l note from the statement Of the
water commission, now being published
In the Astorian. that there is $4,000
lying idle In the bank, drawing no in
terest. Would II not be wise to invest
some of this surplus in electric light
bonds for the completion of the street
lighting plant at least?
In conclusion. permit me to diverve
from the original subject, by suggesting
that the commission should be entitled
to some interest on this fund. Private
corporations, which deposit money In
anticipation of interest charges or for
other purposes, are allowed interest on
their daily balances. why not the wa
ter commission?
A TAXPAYER.