The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1906-03-06
Electric LIGHT Contract

Electric Light Contract.
Wednesday evening was the time ixet
by the Township Committee to receive re
monstrances against the signing of a con
tract for lighting the streets of Noun
Holly. The notice published in THE News
stated that remonstrances might be flee
with the Township Clerk. Nothing def
mite was said about the number of signers
necessary, but at the meeting it was stated
there must be signatures of persons repre-
senting at least one half the total tax valua.
ton of the town.
At the meeting Wednesday evening there
were half dozen taxpayers, but there was
no remonstrance in writing. This was
because there is no objection to contract
being entered into, the question at issue
being the length of the term of the contract.
The chairman of the committee asked
for the views of those present. and the first
response was to the effect that the speaker
i thought it would be advisable to take the
one year contract. There would be con-
siderable extra expense, the increase per
light and the addition of new lamps would
cause an extra expenditure of about 5000.
Even at that, however, it was argued that
1t might be to the interest of the township
to take only year contract. Before it ex-
pires the Legislature will probably act on
one of the bills before it providing for mu-
nicipal ownership In the event of the
town erecting plant it was suggested
that perhaps we might have better service
than has been the rule during the past five
years. Incidentally the price and quality
of gas were discussed.
One speaker asked why there was so
much difference between the one year and
the five year rate. A representative of the
Public Service Corporation replied that it
was well known fact that goods could be
furnished in quantity at a cheaper rate
than single articles could, also that it was
the duty of the corporation to protect its
stockholders by making prices which would
protect the investments. In answer to
these statements the representative was
WIN oo~A al al umCuO AhNC AClO
five years ago, at the time when the first
contract was made, as the corporation was
then taking charge of the plant it had pur
chased, but now the investment on that
score is secure and there is no reason for
high rates to protect that. He was asked
if it was not the fact that there is con-
templated movement to take the station
away from Mount Holly and supply cleo
trio current from another point. The
young man replied that he did not think
such was the case, but he was told that
such information had come very direct
ly from an official of the corporation.
The question was then put TO the repre-
sentative, If in the case of such removal,
and in case five year contract were given,
would aclause be inserted:guaranteeingt
keeping of the electric plant here during
that term. The young man said he had no
authority to make any such agreement,
but he could not see where that had any
bearing on the subject at all. He was in
formed that if the plant was removed it
would mean the loss of receipts from taxa
ton on the property and throwing out
of work the men now employed who live
here.
The representative thought the idea
Of removal was erroneous. and he said
the information appeared to be ''hearssy,"
very much like other stories. In one in
stance he had been made to appear as say
ing that the service here was very bad,
when in fact he had merely said that in
some instances lamps were not looked after
as carefully as they might be. In answer
to this he was told that even though he
might not have said what was attributed
to him there was no doubt the lighting
service was very poor. Instances were
given where lamps had gone out and had
for several days. One lamp In front of the
residence of the chairman of the committee
had, by actual count, been out five days.
notwithstanding reports of the condition
being sent in to the station.
The price of gas was then taken up.
and although not exactly part of the
subject under discussion it was thought
it might very properly be considered.
Inquiry was made why some towns around
US are getting gas at 81 per thousand and
we are compelled to pay $1.25. Burling-
ton gets 81 gas, while Mount Holly has to
pay an extra quarter to get it across coun-
try, and Columbus, eight miles above.
with less population than either of the two
places named, gets 81 gas. In answer to
what bearing this had on electric lighting
the statement was made that it might be
just the time to make contract of benefit
to the people of Mount Holly. A proviso
that five year electric lighting contract
could be made on the basis of 81 gas
being furnished might be very beneficial.
The Township Committee has it in its
power now to do something of some
account to the residents of the town.
After some more talk on this line Mr..
Hunter thought it would not do any harm
to have public meeting to discuss the
questions at issue, and on that idea it was
ordered that such meeting be held
Thursday evening, in America Hall, at 80,
to allow all interested to express their
views. Make note of this. If you want
cheaper gas and better electric lights now
is your opportunity to get them. Go to
the meeting and express your views.
Let the Township Committee have your
opinion.
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