The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-07-08
DOWN co RATES.
Edison Company VIII Make
Substantial Reductions.
Schedule as Agreed Upon With
Business Men.
1T is NOW READY.
Amended Franchise Ordinance
to Be Presented.
Believed That Council Will APP
prove the Changes.


Electric light rates recommended by
the business mems committee and
ratified by the business men last night
at the National hotel:
Residence lighting, maximum. IL
cents per K. W. hour.
Commercial lighting, maximum, for
first hour. 10 cents per k. W. hour.
Commercial lighting, maximum, for
second hour, cents per k. W. hour.
! Minimum charge, April to Septem-
Der inclusive, rs cents per month.
Minimum charge, october to March
inclusive, $3.50 per month.
Proposed by the Edison company
under their pending franchise:
Residence lighting. maximum, 15
cents per k. W.
Commercial lighting, maximum. II
cents per k. W.
| Minimum charge, April to Septem-
Der inclusive. 81.
Minimum charge, October to March
inclusive, $3.50.
| Rates charged under the present
franchise which expire in 1907:
| Residence lighting, maximum, 20
cents per k. W.
Commercial lighting, maximum, IL
|
Minimum charge the year around
$50.
In addition the rate on steam heat
| has been lowered from the IS cent
meter rate to 60 cents. The fat rate
of 80 cents is abolished.
The city secures a rate of cents
per k. w. hour upon an agreement
reached late yesterday afternoon at
Dreaming and Superintendent Maun-
sell at the city building. The former
rate has been IA cents. The city ex-
ponds for light about $4,000 a year.
The city saves about $1,40o annually
under the new agreement.
The length of years for the proposed
franchise will be p years instead of
the 80 asked for.
AS announced in the State Journal
Friday the above important conceS-
sions have been granted by the Edison
| Illuminating company to the business
men of the city.
| The concessions are the result of a
long conference on the part of the
committee consisting of w. S. Ber-
gundthal, G. H. Matthews and J. w.
| Robinson together with c. r. Maunsell
of the Edison company. The commit
] tee has been at work for the past six
| weeks and submitted the report which
follows at meeting of the business
men at the National hotel last night.
The report was adopted with but one
| change, that relating to the reduction
| in steam heat. The reduction of 5
cents was made in the meter rate
| by vote of those in attendance upon
| the meeting. The committee had not
| touched the matter of the time of the
| franchise and this was brought up. A
motion was made to grant it for TWEEN
| ty years instead of thirty. Mr.. Maun-
sell objected and claimed that it would
place them at a disadvantage in meet
| ing the competition of the gas COM
| pany which had a franchise for thirty
years. IF the gas company had only
| a twenty year franchise" said he, 81
| would not object any further, but
mark
eve have conceded everything -
said Tom Doran, attorney for the Edi-
son company, eve would like to have
you make this one concession to u.s.
The feeling, however, was all in ia
lvor of a reduction in the length of
years Finally City Attorney Dreaming
proposed 81 years as a compromise
said: "Of course I haven't got the
authority to say that the company will
accept the franchise with those num-
Der Of years, but we have to take what
the council and the people want to
give u.s.
Mr.. Doran said: "I believe that it
will be accepted"
The business men then instructed City
Attorney Dreaming and Mr.. David Over
myer to proceed with their work OF
drawing up the new franchise which
they were instructed to draw up at a
previous meeting. They were also in
structed to embody the report of the
committee into the franchise. Mr.. over
myer stated that the franchise would
soon be ready for presentation to the
council.
Il In the meantime the two attorneys
will call the business men and the Edi-
son company in consultation as the &C.
casion demands. There is no question
but every one who has any connection
with the contest to establish lower rates
is immensely pleased at the re-
suit. The Edison company was
assured last night by the business
. men that they would see that the fran
. chise would go through the city council
as proposed. There is small doubt bu
. the council will act favorably upon the
. matter as they have been waiting on the
; two sides to get together. A vote o.
: thanks was extended to the member:
of the committee by the business mel
last night. In vivid contrast to othe
meetings both sides spent a great dea
! Of the night in throwing complimentar.
! bouquets at each other, so gratified wer,
J they with the general result Of the con
| ference.
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