The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-12

Councilman Hughes Il would like 10
have Mr.. MaunselI prove his figures. .
Il am satisfied that SO is entirely too
much" said Councilman Ryder. Il
believe it is discrimination against
small consumers. Electricity is a puo-
lie utility, and it is becoming more of a
necessity and less of a luxury all the
time. The Edison company says the
high minimum charge is imposed TO
keep out Improbable consumers so that
the company can make lower rates for
power. There is nothing to show that
what the company may save by a hISn
minimum would ever benefit the power
consumer. 1 think 70 cents is a fair
minimum charge, and move that 1t De
reduced to that figure"
Councilman Nellis seconded the mo-
ton. Mayor Bergundthal suggested
that at Lawrence and many other
towns the minimum charge is only 90
cents a month
The majority of towns that have a
so cent minimum also have a II hour
service replied Mr.. Maunsell.
N--Our plant is encountered with more
small users than is profitable, sald
unable to supply all the electricity
which is demanded by the small fac
tories; by the concerns which bring IN
business, and increase the popuiatlon 81
the town and thereby increase the bust
ness of our mercantile houses. A lower
minimum loads us up with Improbable
business. We can't build fast enough
to supply the demands of the small
factories for power. 1t is detrimental
to the business interests of the city to
still further load UP our plant with I'M
profitable business
Hughes Makes Charges.
Councilman Hughes got a little on
the subject and made some rather in
teresting charges against the Edison
company at this stage in the game.
He said
You people come in here and talk
about being a home company; you say
that we ought to deal literally with
you because you are a home Instltu-
ton, and you make some statements
about your own superiority to the gas
which is a foreign corpora
ton.
Now here is a copy of your report,
filed with the secretary of state, and
sworn to by Edward Wilder. In 1901
he says that there were 1860 shares
of stock in the Edison company, and
of this amount over 1000 is owned in
the east. The report for 1902 is mere
ly endorsed by Mr.. Wilder Practically
the same as last year. That is the last
statement which the company has
made Now as to the profits of this
Edison plant. If the waterworks plant
is a gold mine, the Edison plant is
the company pays a nominal dividend
Of only per cent. But 1 can say on
the highest authority that every share
holder last year got a dividend OF 40
per cent on his stock.
Mr. Mulvane: IF it were necessary |
to explain all the statements made by
Colonel Hughes. 1 could do so, but
1on't consider it necessary"
After Councilman Ryder'S two mo- |
ions for a reduction of the minimum
charge had been voted down, Council /
nan Swendson moved that the charge /
IF $3.50 and $1.O0, as it appears in the |
'evised ordinance, be approved, and
he motion carried by the following
7ote: Ayes-Kutz. Griley, Holiday, !
Neil. Green, Rice. Howe. Sinner and ,
swendson-9. Noes-Ryder, Nellis, /
DUCHESS.
There was no fight made on the |
maximum rates of Is cents for mean /
descent lights, 10 cents for power and |
2 cents for arc lights.
Discounts Promised.
Mayor Bergundthal asked Mr. Null /
niue to give the present discounts in /
addition to the rates provided by ordi- |
lance. Mr.. Mulvane said:
Our intention is to continue the |
anne schedule of discounts which now
xists.''
'.Then why not put this schedule in
he ordinance?' asked Mayor Bergund-
hal.
d We would prefer not to do So Some
lay we might want to increase the
discounts, and we couldn't do it if it
vas set forth in the ordinance"
Yes, and some day the owners of
ne company might take a notion to
,bolish the discounts altogether" said /
he mayor 1T works both ways.
'elieve the schedule should be in the
ordinance"
The present schedule of discounts is
s follows:
IS per month bill per cent.
$50 to $40 per month bill 10 per cent
SOTO to $50 per month bill Is per
ent.
sSO.1O to $50 per month bill 20 per
ent.
s5O.1O to 500 per month bill 25 per
ent.
No one made a motion to include this
chedule in the ordinance, however,
nd the subject was dropped.
At about 11:30 O'clock an effort was
made to adjourn the meeting. MIR.
1ulvane stated that he would have to
20 away Monday to be gone a week,
nd wanted to finish up the considera-
ion of the ordinance before he left if +
ossible. Some of the councilmen
wanted to take the last ears for their
omes, but the motion to adjourn was
efeated by a vote of to 4. The coun-
il then took up the consideration of !
ection of the ordinance, and VIM.
sreen announced that he had numerous
hanges to suggest which would take
long time for consideration. Mayor
Sergundthal also showed signs of get
ing mad at missing his car for North
'opeka, and another motion to adjourn
fas made and carried without opposi-
ion.
ALL WERE MIIR1ERFn