The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1905-12-08


tion in all its bearings be discussed
Tor q month or two. There was no
hurry In the matter and the time
could be we'll spent in getting facts
and figures as a basis on which to
work.
L. j. Spangler appeared in behalf
OF q. c. King, of the Mitchell Gas
Co., aud presented in a general way
what the company desired. He said.
it was the desire OF the company to
expend about s25; 1000 in improving
the gas plant by changing it to coal
gas and further equip the electric
light plant for a better service for
the people. While the contract had
four years to run he said Mr.. King.
was perfectly willing to make a new
contract and modify it from the old
so that the concessions to the city
and the citizens would he OF some
benefit, but he did not want the
franchise loaded so that it could not
be utilized, end asked only for a rea-
sonable gain for his money. Mr..
SDangler said that the company was
perfectly willing to have the situa-
ton discussed and did not ask for
any quick action.
Mayor Silsby made a brief state
ment concerning the introduction Of
the ordinance, by saying that when
IL was first read the council never
had the slightest intention ..of pass
Ing it, but was given its first reading
merely to open up the matter for dis
cussion. lie said he had been assured
that before the ordinance was passed
in its entirety that a new contract
would be made, and he felt that the
city would be the gamer. He referr-
ed in strong terms to the integrity of
the council members, saying that he
die not believe for one moment but
what the gentlemen would always
have the hest interests of the city at
heart in making a contract for the
lighting facilities. aud he felt safe in
the assurance that they will not go
astray from the matured Judgment of
the citizens.
F. Fl. Winsor expressed his senti-
ments in the belief that the city
should W every franchise and
further believed that the city could.
manage the business successfully.
The gas company, he said, had al
ready made a mistake which they
wanted to rectify, and he could not
understand why the city should give
them the property to correct it. Mr..
Winsor considered the council was
able to manage the city business and
said he had nothing but praise for its.
actions.
G. G. King, the representative of
the gas company, vas asked to speak.
He said that he had come to Mitch
ell, established the gas plant and
bought the electric light plant, and
that he had tossed his money in
here with the rest of the citizens,
and that he wanted to be considered
as having the interests Of the city at
heart. Mr.. king said he had the
spirit of desire to do what is right;
he could see that the original and
present prices OF the electrlc lights
were too high; he said that he agreed
with all that he should make some
concessions and that reductions in
rates would be made. He said that he
would not expect his nelghbor to do
business at a loss and he would not
expect to do so either. Mr.. King
said that he was willing to meet with
the citizens and council IN the mat
ter of terms and If they could agree.
nothing would give him any greater
pleasura, and if they could not agree
that would he the end Of it. The
proposition was one of plain busi-
ness. Personally, be said he would
yield perhaps more than his attoI-
neys in Chicago would accept. The
Mitchell Gas Co., he said, was con-
inp into town with a bic CHUNK of
hard cash aud put i'll Improvements
which would increase the taxable
property and thus increase the rev.
ennes OF the city. Mr.. King made
the statement that competition be.
tween "a municipal plant and that
owned by an individual was bad, and
that the former was not required to
pay taxes and the general pubic
would show a preference for the mu-
nlcipal plant " the individual
company so far as patronage was
concerned. he stated that when
those conditions arrived in Mitchell
he would be only too willing to sell
his plant.
John Quirk in his very brief adj