Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-09-12
Ordinance Prepared by Council
man Webster Presented Be-
fore Council Monday Night
RATES 20 PER CENT LOWER
Ordinance Passed to Second Reading,
and Further Action Deferred For
Week Rates Based on Charges
Made in Many Other citiss-Ars
Paying Too Much, Says Webster.

on water works and electric lights,
presented before the council at it's reg
ular meeting Monday night, a new or
dinance establishing the rates of
charging consumers for electric lights
and gas. Mr.. Webster explained that
the rates under the proposed ordin-
ance were based on communications
from several cities. Mr. Webster de-
clared that consumers in Marshalltown
were paying too much, and the new
rates are sufficiently lower to insure
saving of about 20 per cent. The or
dinance was passed to it's second read
ing, and further action was deferred
for week. In the meantime the diff
ferent members Of the council will do
some personal investigation OF the
light and gas business. All members
were present with the exception of Mr..
McMains, of the Fourth, and Mr.. Ar
mold, of the Fifth.
Under the new ordinance gas for IL
Illuminating purposes is fixed at $1.65
per 1000 cubic feet, and $1.45 per 1000
cubic feet for fuel purposes. When gas
is used for both lighting and fuel the
rate is $1.45. Discounts on bills paid
before the 10th Of each month are as
follows: For Illuminating gas, under
1000 cubic feet, 25 cents per 1000 GU
bic feet; over 1000 cubic feet, 80 cents;
5000 cubic feet and over, 30 cents; ov-
err 10000 cubic feet, 40 cents per 1000
cubic feet.
For fuel gas the discounts are as fol-
lows: One thousand cubic feet, Is
cents; over 1000 cubic feet, 20 cents:
over 1000 cubic feet, 25 cents; over
1000 cubic feet, 80 cents.
Electric Light Rates.
The rates for electric current are Ak
ed by the proposed new ordinance as
follows: Fourteen cents per 1000 watt
hours; 10 cents per 1000 watt hours
on bills Of 10000 watt hours; IL cents
per 1000 watt hours on bills Of $4,000
watt hours; II cents per 1000 watt
hours on bills Of 10000 watt hours; 10
cents per 1000 watt hours on bills OF
10000 watt hours; cents per 1000
watt hours on bills Of $4,000 watt
hours.
The minimum charge per month
shall be rs cents, with no charge for
meter rent. The discount is fixed at
cent per 1000 watt hours. All meters
will be tested by the city II consumers
feel that they are not registering pro-
perly, upon the deposit In the city
clerks office of 81 to defray the ex-
penses Of testing. If the meter is
found slow the consumer pays the
cost and If per cent or over fast the
company will be charged with the ex-
pense. The company is to be notified
in all cases where tests are to be
made. that they may have represent
tative present.
Of buildings for electric lights, and
under the rules OF the National Board
Of Fire Underwriters. The hindering
of agents of the city In making tests
of meters or in any way looking after
the interests Of consumers is declared
a misdemeanor, and punishable by fine.
The ordinance becomes effective on the
first day Of the month following It's
passage, approval and publication.
Some Comparative figures.
Some comparative figures, in show
ing the saving to consumers under the
rates OF the proposed new ordinance,
will be of interest. Under the present
rate for illuminating gas, $1.s5, the
consumer pays 1910 for 1000 cubic
feet, and under the new rate $1.65, or
$3.50. A 20 cent discount under the old
rate, which would make $3.50, is SUI
perseded by SO cent discount
making total of $3.50 as against
$3.50, or saving Of 20 cents, or 20
per cent.
Gas for fuel, under the present rate,
is furnished at $1.60. which, for 1000
cubic feet, costs the consumer $500.
A discount Of 80 cents brings the bill
to $500 Under the new rate OF $1.45
1000 cubic feet cost $3.50, and 80
cent discount brings the bill to $3.50.
The saving of 30 cents makes trife
over 10 per cent.
In a comparative statement of cleo
trio lights, a sample bill based on 81
watt hours is taken, which is an aver
age monthly bill. Under the present
rate q, 900 watts cost 1896, at is cents
per 1000 watt hours. Under the pro-
posed new rate, 13 cents, the cost
would be $2.73, exclusive Of the dis
count Of cent per 1000 watts, or 81
cents, bringing the cost down to 1882.
Under the present rate there is no
discount. The saving between the two
rates is "a cents, or Is per cent In ia
vor of the new rake.
In the District Court.