The Virginia enterprise., 1905-02-17
Bill Creating Light and Water Com.

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day last introduced in the house a
bill providing for the creation of a
light and water commission in cit
les or villages of from 1900 to 10000
population, and establishing the
duties of such board.
This bill was instigated by the re.
cent "ruction" in the case of the
Hibbing light and water plant and
the charges made in that case, but
is applicable to all municipalities
still retaining their light and water
rights or which may hereafter buy
back the franchises given away.
The bill provides for the appoint
ment of commission of three
members, one of whom shall be
succeeded each year, and the viii
lage recorder or city clerk shall act
as secretary of such commission at
salary of not to exceed $15 per
month additional, while the CON-
pensation of the members of the
commission shall not exceed 500
each per annum, while each men,
Der shall, during his third year of
service of such com mission be pres
ident thereof. This commission
shall, under the provisions of the
measure, have full and absolute
control over the light, water and
power plants, attachments and ap-
purtenances thereto, and all ap-
paratus and material of every kind
and description used or to be used
in operating said plants in all such
municipalities. They shall have
the power and authority to operate
same, and to extend, add to, change
or modify the same and to do any
and all things in and about the
same which they may deem neces-
sary for proper and economic op-
GRAFTON, but they are specifically
forbidden the right to sell, lease,
rent or in any manner dispose of or
cucumber, or suffer or permit the
said plant or plants or any portion
thereof to come under the control of
any other person or corporation
whatsoever.
Such commission shall have the
power to fix all water, lighting and
power rates to patrons, provided
that the provisions of the act shall
in nowise impair the obligations of
existing contracts, and said com,
mission shall audit all claims, in
dependent of the city or village
council. The commission shall
also cause to be published in the
official newspaper of such munich
pality the official proceedings of
the body, together with a detailed
statement of all revenue received
by said commission, each three
months.
While this bill and the provisions
thereof are not of specific interest
to Virginians at the present time
we trust it may not be long before
conditions may so change. 80 as to
make it possible of application,
through the purchase and owning
of the local light, water and power
plant by the municipality.
The matter of such purchase was
brought up in the city council a
short time ago, and Mayor Fay
appointed as committee of one to
confer with the owners of the fran
chise and plant, obtaining figures
for the consideration of the board
and the public as to the probable
cost of same, together with an es-
timated cost of immediate repairs
demanded. These figures have not
as yet been submitted, but will be
as quickly as received, and if the
price asked is anywhere within rea.
son an effort will likely be made by
the present administration looking
to the purchase and owning by the
municipality of these public i'm.
prOvements.
At any time the provisions of the
measure may apply to Virginia we
see but one or two corrections we
should deem advisable-one being
the appointment of commission
of FIVE instead of three and another
being the vesting of the appointive
power in the hands of the mayor,
subject to the confirmation of the
council. The first named stipula.
tion is by tar the more important
as in cities where elections are
held only every two years the ob.
ject of the measure to take such
commission out of politics would be
voided.
Refuse to Stand for Personalities.