The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1904-03-09
TWO WRONGS
Are Not Sufficient to Constitute
Right.
New Gas and Water Company Should
Have Franchise, Bat Franchise
Should Be Fair to the Town-Oid
One Was Contrary to Our Interests.

To the Editor of the NEw DoMIsfoS
The application of new gas and
water company for city franchise is
all right. "1he more the merrier. .
NOBODY will object, provided it tends
to reduce the cost of living in Nor
gantown.
BIT there are some reflections in
this connection that we think ap-
propriate at this time for the consid-
Grafton CT the city council.
The city has heretofore granted to
the Union Utility company fran
chise for this purpose, and the new
company is asking for 1t on the iden-
tical terms OF the former franchise.
it would seem that this is fair
enough. aud that council could not
refuse competitor who asks to serve
the people OF Morgantown on exactly
the same terms and conditions.
But 1t strikes us that this is the
time and the opportunity for the city
council to give little consideration
to the Interests OF the people as well
as TO the interests of the corporations.
A former council gave to the Union
Utility company franchise that wa
worth half million dollars in cold
cash for the simple asking. Not only
so, but the city does not get even
bonus In the way Of street lights or
any other public service, but pays a.
the same top rates that are charged
other consumers. And these rates
especially the water rates--are fixed
upon US for twenty-five years at an
extravagant and inexeusable maxi
mum that imposes heavy burden
upon the resident citizens and is det-
rimentatto the growth Of the town.
The terms upon which this fran.
chise was given the Union Utility
company, we say, were unwarranted,
extravagant and detrimental TO the
interests Of the town. The council
Ought not to have given away a prop
erty right of the profile, worth full
half million OF dollars without at
least requiring that the people should
ghare some benefit or favor from the
gift in the matter Of rates.
A few days ago the city Of Wheel.
ing sent commissioners abroad to
examine into the plans of other cities
with reference to their gas aud water
plants. That committee reported
(see Wheeling papers OF 10th ult.
that, for Instance, 10 the city OF
Philadelphia, the corporation that
furnishes the gas and water paid to
the city last year the round sum of
5000, 900 in cold cash for the privilege,
esidesfurnishing free light and heat
To all the public buildings, libraries,
schools, etc, ETC., and lighting all the
streets of the city free Of cost to the
city. Aud it must he remembered
that this is not natural gas, but the
more expensive article OF manufac-
tured gas.
Now, compare the terms of the
Philadelphia franchise, as II single |
example, with that of the Morgan
town franchise. Consider, too, that
the latter includes the right to the |
public streets for trolley lines, etc.
Is not our estimate OF the value OF
that franchise, which the city gave
away, very conservative? Is it not,
in fact, worth million dollars?
II the council has made mistake
ia being too generous to one CON-
pany, is it bound by the precedent to
continue its ener0sity to every other |
that applies fol. all time to
come? In other words, If it gave the
Union Utility company half million
dollars OF more, AS free gift, in the
shape Of a franchise, will it be bound
TO give the new company bonus for
establishing its plant9
We think not. Neither do we think
it would be any discrimination against
the new company to refuse them a
franchise on the same conditions as
the Union Utility company franchise.
Unless the new company proposes to
GENE In as competitor of the exist
ing company we don't. want it. We
don't, want our streets torR up and
again unless the town gets
some benefit from it. Let the new
therefore, show its good
faith as competitor by proposing to
take franchise to furnish gas and
water at a lower maximum than our
people are now paying, If it will net
do that, then 1t is not a competitor
but a ''cembine." 1t will not benefit
the town, and the cit, couLcil is
under no obligation to grant the fran
chise.
This, we say, is the time and op-
portunity for the peor les cause to
have some consideration.
CONSITMER