The Tucson citizen., 1902-01-14

which it can get light at reason
able price.
The prices heretofore charged the
city by the Electric Light company
were, % put 1t plainly, nothing less
than a scandal They were regarded
by many as an extortion. There is no
reason why the present council should
put up with any overcharge. Ii neces-
sary. let it assert its rights to deter
mine what a reasonable cost is
In one instance. which is fresh IN
the minds of us all. the city did take
stand for itself That was the mat
ter of the Milu,ary Plaza 1t defended
the litigation which was brought, ana
succeeded in it. and the result is that
the sewer system was made possib-
ility.
Il am more convinced now than
ever of the statement which made
at the time, that ii the city authori-
ties had stood up for their rights
against the water company, this city
could have saved $25. 00G on the pur-
chase of that plant. While 1t Is COM
mendable to encourage gentlemen
coming in with new enterprises, the
taxpayers of this city who have borne
the heat and burden of the day, are
also entitled to some encouragement
and they would feel considerably re-
fresned, (f not surprised) if the city
council would refuse to yield to the
electric company and refuse to abro-
gate the present ordinance Our city
of Tucson is pretty widely known for
two things. First. for its matchless
climate. and second, for the fact that
1t is the easiest worked of all the
towns in the Southwest"
Andres Rebel. member of the Board
Supervisors, is not in favor of NUM-
cipal lighting plant for the city OF
Tucson. Speaking on the subject, Mr..
Rebel said, Il think that the city
should be guided largely by their ex-
pertinent with the water works. Since
the water works came under the muni-
cipal control. the service has not inn
proved and the rates are very much
higher. If the city can not make a
financial success of an institution thar
was already on a good paying basis, 1t
seems to me that 1t would be unwise
to take hold of a concern like the
paid dividend | do not think that
the politicians could operate the plant
as economically as private indiyiG-
uals."
A. Orflla. who brought suit some
time ago against the old lighting com
pany to oust them fnlm the ground
occupied by the gas plant. said on
the subject today, If the new COM
pany decides to rebuild the gas plan,
on the old site, | shall press my suL
now pending in the District Court to
GUST the company from the twenty five
feet of ground which 1t Is now occupy,
ing on Meyer street and which accord
ing to the city survey is part of the
street l am not in favor of mun:-
aipal lighting plant, but believe that
Mr. Henry should be given the contract |
at a reasonable figure
Louis Gasser superintendent of the |
water works. in answer to the charge
hat municipal ownership has not been
success in the case of the water
works because the rates are higher,
aid, Just before the city purchased
he water works. the former owners
installed high pressure plant at the
ost of $65,0O0 giving the City better
ervice and fire protection. At that
lme the former owners intended to
Increase the rates to 40 per cent more
han is now charged When they found
hat the city was going to purchase
he plant they left this change for the
ity In this way they saved them
elves the trouble OF arranging a new
chedule Of rates" Mr.. Gasser be,
Ieves that the city should install its
wn lighting plant.