The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-05-11
cosr on pupLIc LIeHTNo.
What the city Could DO II II Would
10 Release the Municipality and
the Citizens From Extor-


tlon.
The West Shore Mills company's
agents have stated that n the city
built an electric lighting plant II
could only furnish lights for streets
and public buildings and not 10 pri-
yate consumers. and consequently
there being no revenue except the saw
ing Of public lights, the investment
In an electric lighting plant would be
costly burden 10 the taxpayers Of
the municipality I, has been admit
ted. at the same time. that II the city
could furnish public Lights and also
lights TO private consumers al rate
Of say one-ihIrd that charged by the
West Shore Mills Company, the invest
ment In municipal lighting plant
would be- paying one.
This claim that the city is restrict
ed to public lighting only, had its
birth and has been fosiered In It's
growth by the friends and agents OF
the West Shore Mills Company.
The proposition Is absolutely false.
The city Of Astoria could today. II II
had an electric lighting plant. supply
lights to any and all who wanted to
buy them at any rate the water COM
missien might see NJ to charge.
The legislature Of 1897. in amending
the charter OF the city OF Astoria,
under chapter 10. dealing with the
water commission, says: The city OF
Astoria, is authorized and empowered
10 contract or purchase. keep. conduct
and maintain water works therein. Of
character and capacity to furnish the
city ard the inhabitants thereof with
an abundance Of good. pure and whole
some water for all uses and purposes
necessary for the convenience and well
being Of the same. and ALSO ONE
or MORE ELECTRIC LIGHT PLANTS
TO be operated by water or other pow
err for the purpose OF supplying the
city and THE INHABITANTS
THEREOF. with an abundance Of
electric lights for ALL USES WHAT
EVER. and Is hereby AUTHORIZED
and EMPOWERED 10 SUPPLY THE
CITY AND THE INHABITANTS
THEREOF with ELECTRIC LIGHTS;
and TO that end may acquire by pur-
chase or otherwise and own and pos
sess such real and personal property.
within and without the limits Of the
city, as in the judgment OF the per-
sons herein authorized I'm other
words. the water commission) to con-
tract, purchase. conduct and maintain
the same. etc. etc"
This settles the question OF the right
Of the water commission TO establish
and operate an electric light plant and
to sell light. in any quantity. to who
soever desires TO buy it-at any rates
they may see fit to fix.
The right OF the city to build. main
tain and operate an electric lighting
plant for the benefit OF its citizens in
dividually and collectively, having
been established. the next objection
to be answered is that such a plant
would not pay. Theoretically this OBJ
lection could be easily disproved by
quoting statistics from other cities, less
in size than Astoria, where the public
utilities are owned and operated by
the municipality. But more convinc-
ing proof to reasonable and unpreju-
diced people is at hand here at home
by simply making a comparison OF
costs and receipts Of the water sys-
TEN.
On an investment Of 100000 the city
Of Astoria received last year an in
come Of $2S.OOO from its water service.
1t will be admitted that three times
as much light as water is used by the
citizen at his home and ten times as
much by the business man at his fac
tory store or office.
Mr., Adams. the engineer OF the wa
ter commission. some three years ago
furnished estimates, with plans and
specifications, showing that an electric
lighting plant, for public lighting on
ly. could be constructed for $4,000, the
plant to light public buildings and sup
ply so street lights. And the water
commission received bids, based on Mr..
Adams plans and specifications, of
fering to construct plant able to fur
nish so street lights 5000 candle power,
for Sll 900.
What could be done three years ago
for $4,000 could be done in these days
Of electrical improvements for $500,
but Astoria needs more than so street
lights and her citizens need relief from
the extortionate charges they are now
compelled to pay for lighting their
stores and houses. However the most
economical taxpayer must admit that
If the city only engages in public light
ing and can build lighting plant for
public lighting only for $1,000, the saw
ing to the city over the rates charged
and sought to be charged by the West
Shore Mills Company would more
than repay the investment in a few
years.
At the same time Mr.. Adams made
his estimates for public lighting
plant only, he provided the water
commission with estimates for an elec-
trio lighting plant to cost 100000. this
cost to include the erection Of poles,
stringlng of wires, purchase Of over 100
street lamps and the wiring and elec-
trio lighting of every public and pri-
vate building in a town Of $4,000 in
habitants and the commission found
his estimates and specifications cor
rect. If the water system pays $2S,OOO in