The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-04-10
MIR. VANDIVER TALKS OF DEAL Retirement From Power COmpany'S Presidency. SOLD ALL INTERESTS Gratified That He Secured Re-
 ductiOn of Prices. Has Naught but Kind Words for Old AssOciates-WilI Give More Time
 to His Other

In an interview with representa- tive of The Advertiser, w. F. Vandiyer. who returned Saturday evening from New York City, reiterated his previous statement that he would not retire from active business, and declared that his withdrawal from the Montgomery Light and Water Power Company meant that his other interests demanded more of his time than his official connection with the power company would allow.
 The transfer of interests in the power company took place Saturday, the se- curjties of MT. Vandiver being pur- chased outright by Emerson McMiilan of New York and his associates, and MT. McMillan succeeding MT. Vandiver as President, Robert J. Chambers of Montgomery being elected Vice-Presi- dent and General Manager.
 Father of Light system.
 The retirement of MT. Vandiver from the electric light and power business Is of more than ordinary interest to Montgomery inasmuch as he might be termed the father of the modern light system of this city Thirteen years ago MT Vandiver and his associates secured control of the Ball Light Com pany which was operating a small plant in the corner of wood yard on North Court Street, near Janney's foundry. With this beginning. the Mutual Light and Power Company was organized with MT. Vandiver as President. Later a merger of all light and power inter- ests in Montgomery was effected by consolidation of the Mutual Light and Power Company. the Montgomery Gas Company and the Montgomery Electric Company. The consolidated company was called the Montgomery Light and Power Company and MT. Vandiver was elected it's President.
 Two years ago, when the great water power plant at Tallassee was completed by the Montgomery Water Power Com pany, in which Emerson McMillan of New York was the controlling spirit. there was another consolidation of in- terests, and the Montgomery Light and Water Power Company was formed with Mir vandiver as President by a pooling of the interests of the old Montgomery Light and Power Company and the Montgomery Water Power Company.
 Since, that time and until Saturday. Mir. Vandiver continued as the execu- tive officer of the consolidated com pany. Throughout the thirteen years that he was in charge of the light and power interests of Montgomery. he sought to reduce the prices to consum- CTS and to develop the manufacturing interests of Montgomery.
 Talks or TFHu9aCthOhs
 Seated in the drawing room of his spacious residence on South Court street, MT. Vandiver talked without re- serve of his retirement from the light and power business and of his long association with that interest in Mont" gomery. -
 'I never sought official positions with any of the power companies for which I have served as President" said MT Vandiver, "and their success was na' turally gratifying to me"
 "At the time I went into the light and power business" continued MT. Vandiver, the prices for gas and elec- tricity were reduced 25 per cent. In January, 1904, the prices in the electric were again reduced % per cent. In other words, gas was selilng in Montgomery when I first LOOK the old company, at $2.50 per thousand. Today Illuminating gas is selling at s162 and fuel gas at $1.Os. when ! first went into the business electric lights, for S2-candle power, were sellins at S2 each per month, and, for l0-cahole mower, at $1.25 each per month. 1ouay inc prices are D cents for 32-cahole mower and 80 cents for 16-candle power Tbe rnetre rate for electricity, When' I began the business, was 20 cents per I OO0 kilowatts. Today the basis rate is 15 cents Larger contracts are inauo at rates much lower even than theso
 q feel that I have been of some sup stantiaI benefit to my home people anu in retirlng from my official connection with inc light company l want 10 thank my Montgomery friends ana 'he