Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1902-05-08
Hughes Electric Light Compan,
Granted Franchise by the James.
town Council.
Company Agree to Put in an Up-to.
date Plant and Have Same
Running Aug. |.
Aldermen Discussed Matter With
Considerable Warmth and
Vote Was Close.

An ordinance giving a franchise to
the Hughes Electric Light Company
of Fargo was passed at the meeting
of the city council Monday night.
The ordinance passed by vote Of 4 to
3 after heated discussion. Those
voting for the ordinance were: Alder
men Kurtz, Crum, Chenery and Past.
Those voting against the ordinance
were: Aldermen Canham, Klaus and
Chapman. Alderman Allen was alb
sent.
When Alderman Kurtz moved that
the ordinance be given its final read
ing and passed, there was opposition
from the three alderman who voted
against the measure.
Alderman Klaus thought all mem
bers should be present when vote
was taken on the ordinance. He re-
ferred to the ordinance killed about
year ago by the council and said it
was much better ordinance than the
pres ent one He said the franchise
was not granted at that time because
the city had not decided the water
question and it was not yet decided.
Hughes offered but fire pumping and
light. Certain business men would
like to get franchise and the speaker
thought they should have the chance.
Alderman Kurtz said there had been
inSinuatiOnS on the streets that there
was something in it for him if he got
the ordinance through and he wished
to state that there was nothing of the
kind. He said he favored and feared
no one. He said the council had in
the past ordinances before it but the
offers made were not considered bona
tide. The offer of the Hughes Com
pany in the present instance was good
and an up-to-date plant would be
built. The plant would also be run in
the daytime furnishing cheap power
to all requiring the same. 1t is mere
ly a question Of business. He did not
thought healthy competition would do
good, as in any other business
Alderman Kurtz thought that if any
one else wanted to get franchise
there was plenty Of time since the
Hughes franchise was introduced to
get in the game.
Alderman Chenery agreed with Al
derman kurtz. He said there is no
reason on earth why competition
should be shut out. He believed there
was room here for two companies and
did not see any reason why this line
of business should be left with clear
field any more than any other. Resi-
dents of the city could secure cheap
power and there would be a great deal
to be gained.
Alderman Chapman said he was not
infavor of the ordinance. He did not
think the rate was fixed very low. IT
the rate of Is cents per 1000 watts
was based on voltage of 220, it was
not as good a rate as it might be. The
city did not know what kind Of
plant Hughes would put in. Mr. Chap
man believed.
Alderman Kurtz said the plant
would be up-to-date in every respect.
Alderman Canham said there was
not much use in arguing with Alder
man Kurtz but he would say that a
22O volt system at Is cents per 1000
watts was more expensive than ITO |
volt system at 20 cents per l, 600 watts.
The vote on the ordinance was then
taken.
Alderman kurtz wanted to know if |
there were any further ordinances of |
the same. Alderman Canham said he |
had one and introduced one in which the |
Electric Light company |
offered to do pumping for $3.50 per
100000 gallons for the city, pumping
for fire purposes and light for city |
to be free and the franchise |
to run twenty-five years. He offered to !
remodel the plant and make it up-to-
date, the maximum rate to be fixed
at Is cents per 1000 watts. The Or
dinance was given its first reading.
The council rejected the bid of the
Well Works company for |
pipe. the bid being considered too low.
Alderman Past suggested. that the |
pipe be stored in the building at the |