The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-02-06
MITCHELL, SOUTH DAKOTA, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1908. i
in size to that of Mitchell.

aHN=aA-A= Et=.Sa a1f a.Fr.. a=ta .H---H
in size to that of Mitchell.
Fourth-The rates charged for SER
vice by said n. w. Turner and III. B.
Warren, their successors and assigns.
shall at all times be consistent With
and not exceed those rates charged
by other paroles for similar lights in
other cities of similar size and loca-
tion to that of Mitchell"
With the other provisions of the act
it is not now necessary to make mem
ton, as they do not relate especially
to present conditions.
The oft repeated protests that have
com to the mayors attention from
our citizens and taxpayers, and the
personal knowledge he possesses, calls
for some action, and the matter is
now brought to your attention in
hope that soma specific may be APP /
piled that shall bring relief to the
city, as we'll as to the patrons of
the Electric Light; Company.
1t is a notorious fact that the
lights which the city is paying for
are of a most Objectionable character,
and the conditions constantly growing
worse, and / recommend that the
contract made by the city be de,
|clared forfeited and annulled.
p also recommend that the ex-
elusive privileges granted by Ordi-
nance No. SO be repealed.
And / earnestly recommend that
immediate steps be taken to build a
system for electric lighting by the
city. the same to be operated in con-
nectiOn with our system Of water
works.
My a for urging that the ex-
elusive right be annulled is found in
the fact that a little inquiry that
has been recently made discloses
that the city is paying fully 80 per
cent more for an inferior light than
other and even smaller cities in Our
state, while private patrons are
charged from 80 to 100 per cent more
than the citizens Of other towns are
paving.
I also find that the machinery Of
the local plant is not nearly as
efficient as is in general use, and
thereby the quality of the service
does not meet the requirements of
the ordinance referred to. /
I submit some statistics gathered
Webster and Redfield, which will
more fully show the difference be
tween the prices we are paying and
those charged in these towns re-
spectively.
Here the mayor gave some status
tics on what electric lights cost in
other cities, where they are operated
either by local companies or by the
city to show just how Mitchell was
being imposed upon by the company.
From these figures we find that on
meter rates our citizens are paying IS
to IS per cent more than the average
of the five towns named. While the
city is paying nearly 40 per cent
more for arc lights than the average
Of the five towns. 1t will be noticed
that all of these towns named receive
all night service, while we obtain a
ridnight schedule only. And on
our arc lights the service is most
abominable.
The time has come when heroic
action shoald be exercised, and now
is the time for the city to recede
from a contract that has been vic.
lated for years by the Electric Light
J Company and install a city lighting
, plant worthy Of the name.-and fame
Of Mitchell, and at the same time
save money for both the city and its
people. The plants in the various
towns mentioned are up to date,
efficient and the service most salts.
factory, and the expense of installing
such a plant is not an insurmountable
objection to action by the city.
Methods can be adopted by which
the entire cost can be met within
five years, and at but little addi.
tional..cost over what is now paid for
street lighting for that period.
The rates paid by this city for arc
lights averages $500 each. The
charges made for incandescent lamps
where not by contract, is 20 cents
per 1000 watts.
l commend this matter to YOU
favorable consideration and trust
that immediate steps will be taker
by your body to give the relief 81
urgently demanded.
Very respectfully.
:, Geo. A. Silsby, Mayor.
The council went into executive
session to consider the message O
y the mayor and in about ten minute!
, time open session was resumed
Auditor Herbert reported that The
council had acted favorably upon th'
; suggestions OF the mayor.
This brought up the matter o
what disposition was to be made Q
the ordinance which governed tn
3 Electric Company in furnishin
: lights to the city. Alderman Stou
INTRODUCED a resolution which ha
1 g1. - L. ~ 49,