The Topeka state journal., 1905-07-15
Edison Franchise Passes the
City Council.
Vote on the Final Passage Is
Unanimous.
RAISED TO 80 YEARS.
MIR. Myers Has His Way About
Time Limit.
Warning Factions Kiss and
Make Up.

Salient points of the franchise grant
ed to the Edison Illuminating company
last night:
Franchise, runs for 80 years.
The maximum rates: IOr residence
lighting dc; for commercial lighting,
for first hour SC and for second hour &c;
for power &c; for electric elevators Sc;
to city buildings sc; for steam heating
60c.
The minimum charge: from April 1
to October 1 75c; from October to
April 1 S1.50.
That the plant cannot sell, convey or
transfer it's plant property or franchise
to any nonresident corporation, firm or
person without the consent of the city.
Verification at the pleasure of the city
Of the financial statements issued by
the company each six months. The
Yeriication to be made by an examina-
tion of the conpany's books.
Inspection Of meters by the citys
meter inspectors.
light for its public parks and streets at
& maximum rate of cents. The city
reserves the right to own and operate
a. plant or plants for light, heat and
power
The terms of the franchise as regards
rates are to be in force and operation
within 80 days.
It marks the finish of a fight which
has lasted over year and half.
The Edison Electric Illuminating
company was granted a thirty year
franchise last night by the city coun-
ell by a unanimous vote of that body.
The franchise was passed without any
serious extended debate or discussion.
The consideration of the franchise was
made a special order of business of the
council for Friday evening. The coun-
Gil in considering the franchise resolved
itself into a committee of the whole and
after passing upon each section of the
franchise ordinance reported back its
Ta,-iI
ed the measure without a dissenting
vote as the hour hand stood at IL
o'clock.
The franchise as adopted follows in
the main the suggestions made by the
business mems committee who have
been examining the rates and business
of the Edison company preparatory to
submitting a franchise to the city coun-
Gil for recommendation and adoption
The only amendments of consequence
to the franchise submitted to the coun-
ell by City Attorney Drenning and
David Overmyer as the wishes of the
business men was the extension of the
life of the measure from q years to 80
years and the permission to lay a 10
inch water main from the plant to the
river.
Considerable objection was and has
been made to a thirty years franchise
though the company objected strongly
to any curtailment in the number of
years. Attention was concentrated
of the ordinace. the specification of 81
years appearing in the first section.
Objected to 21 Years.
L. E. Myers, vice president of the
Street Railway company who has pur-
chased the plant, stated that he was
unalterably opposed to a reduction from
30 years to 21. When Mr.. Myers COM
pleted his statement, Councilman Rice
moved to amend by making the term 80
years instead of 81.
There is section farther along in
this franchise, / believe, which permits
the examination of the company's s
books. If they agree to accept this
sectlon l am willing that they should
have the 80 years. By an examination
we can determine whether fair rates
are being charged and that would be
the only object back OF a shorter term
of years. If they are not willing I am
against it,
Councilman Nipps: II have never
heard OF an investigation of any books
that amounted to anything. I am in
favor of 81 years.
David OVermyer: 1.-The unanimous
opinion of the citizens committee was
in favor of q years. At first we were
in favor of 10 years, then we stood for
20 years. Then according to report
which Mr.. Drenning had of a meeting
of well informed gentlemen which ad-
Vised either not to grant franchise for
more than 21 years, we placed it at 21
years. I don't believe we should tie
ourselves up to more than u years
These gentlemen tell US they would
have difficulty in financeering or rails
ing money with franchise of 21 years
but I think that their fears are ground
less"
J. W. Robinson: Personally 1 felt
interested more largely in conditions
and if the conditions were all right,
personally would not be averse to a 80,
40 or so year or for that matter a. per-
petual franchise"
Myers: with all due regard to Mr..
Overmyer 1 don't think that there is
any crystaIized demand for 81 years"
Councilman Swendson: ITS NOT so
material what the time is, if the rates
are right and the city has the power to
make an investigation.
Myers: Il don't object if you make
the inspection annually instead of semi
annually. I have no objection to the
inspection once asyear but I don't want
to have the city continually running in
and examining our books
Mr. Overmyer: The people reserves
its visitorial right"
Myers: It's too often"
Overmyer: It's not. We are goins
to stand by it and Wen fight for It fo1
Holiday: Il don't think it is right tc
impose this inspection when none OF
the other Kansas towns have done it, -
Myers finally acquiesced to the in
spection provided the 80 years was
granted. He said: I'VE want to go or
record taat we won't stand fol
an abuse OF this. I don't think it is
right but Will concede it,
The amendment was then made by
Mr.. Green and passed granting a &
year franchise with the inspection
ella use intact.
The largest fight of the evening was
over.
A little fight occurred over the re.
tention of the latter portion of section
of the franchise in which the city re.
serves the right to operate and main
tain plants for heat. light and power
Myers contended that the city was full
ly protected by statute and that it was
useless to reiterate the reservation. HI
claimed it would make the sale of bonds