Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1904-12-01
QUESTION OF CITY LIGHT
Mayor Relates History Of Pro-
ceedings on This Subject.

Editor Courier: Ny reason for
asking for space in your columns is
lot to answer any statements pub
lished, or otherwise circulated, but
to give the public, briefly, a history
of the street lighting matter.
On the first Of April the contract
between the city and the Grants Pass
New Water, Light & Power Co., ex-
pired, and in taking the matter up
we decided to give all companies,
who contemplated furnishing lights
in the near future, chance to bid
that the city might have the benefit
of competition. The Condor Water q
Power Co. asked that the matter
m light be deferred for go days and
they would then submit bid. This
was done and arrangements made
with the local company accordingly.
Shortly afterwards the Condor people
asked for franchise to come into our
city, which was granted by the
council, with the condition that their
rates to consumers should never ex-
ceed those being charged by the local
company. This franchise was never
ccepted.
The matter Of letting the contract
was ut off from time to time SO the
council decided that, il anything was
to be done for better lights this win
ter, action must be taken. In Sep
tember the auditor was instructed to
call for bids to be opened October 20.
All parties interested were notified
by letter asking them to subm it bids.
On the 18th or 10th, DR.. Ray in
conversation over the phone advised
the writer that he would be on hand
with bid, but on the morning of the
Goth, F. H. Ray of New York, in
ompany with DR.. Ray called on ut
and said they would not put in a bid
at this time as they we're not ready to
do business and it was uncertain as
to when they would be on the
ground with their plant. They were
assured that their bid would be con-
sidered, even though it would be
some months before lights could be
furnis he'd. provided they could guar
antee us they were coming and fix
some date in the future for the con.
tract to become operative When the
time for opening the bids came, the
Condor people, by their attorney,
asked for a further delay, which,
however, was not granted. but the
one bid Of the Grants Pass New
Water, Light & Power Co. was
opened, read, rejected, as the cou neil
believed they could do better than
sl4i.60 per mo nth for nine 1000 candle
power arc lamps and 80 80 candle
power incandescent lamps.
We found the prices paid by Rose.
burg for nine 1000 candle power arc
lamps was g. 80 per month and 81. 25
for l6 candle power incandescent
lamps. This would be equal to 81. 80
per month for so candle power the
size we call for). Albany is paying
$3.50 for arc lamps. Eugene, 50. 90.
Ashland has been paying 80, 20 for arc
lamps which burned until midnight.
The Condor people, by their attorney,
represented that their company was
Offering Ashland 1000 candle power
arc lamps for $6 90 per month on a
five year contract, providing they
would take 25. This was held out to
the council as sufficient reason for de.
ferring the matter until this company
should reach Grants Pass.
Shortly after the meeting, Mr.. Nor.
ris wrote to US and asked to have an
informal talk with the council,
which was agreed to, but some mem.
bers declined TO meet him or listen
to any conversation outside of the
council room and as that was being
used TO- election purposes, necessitat
ed his remaining over another day.
and when the meeting was called. by
vote OF three 10 three, they declined
TO listen to any proposition he might
make. Mr.. Morris naturally felt that
he could not expect fair treatment
from the Grants Pass council and
took steps to not only raise the price
OF lights to the city, but to individual
consumers as we'll, but the time for
putting this into effect was DELAYED
by request that we might seek some
solution and avoid having disagree
able and, to the consumers Of water
and light expensive experience.
At the following regular meeting of |
the council resolution was intro. |
duced by Mr.. Bacher, chairman of the |
light committee, authorizing and in |
structing the light committee 10 |
negotiate and make a contract bind. |
ing the city for lights for a period of |
nye years at rates not exceeding 81. 25 |
for incandescent and 50. 90 for arc |
lamps. This, of course, could not be |
done legally by committee, so we |
proposed as substitute, the accent. |
ance OF new proposition made by
Mr.. Morris to furnish the nine arc
lamps and the so 32.candle lower in.
S'HNNeNNheS lOl Sl~O per month.
Extra arc lamps for 81. so a month.
Extra incaDdesent at 81. 40 per month.
with the condition that the rate TO
should not be raised above
present prices during the life of tins
,ontrat. This substitute was passed
without a dissenting vote and the
Mayor and Auditor instituted to sign
contract covering the necessary de-
'ails. This, we believed at the time
md still believe, is very favorable
rs We are getting lights at
better rates than any town in Oregon
hat we have heard of. even better
han was offered Ashland as thev
we're required TO contract for % arc
amps.
After all this is done, the condi.
ions accepted by the company. the
condor people come in aud intimate
hat they would furnish lights AT
bout one-hslf this price and ask the
to rescind its action and ne.
iotiste with them, and while we
hould like the benefit Of such very
ugA I