Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-12-11
MIR. Pieree's Letter.
Editor Times-Republican:

Editor Times-Republican:
The question as to whether or not I
have had change Of heart. or whether
of the glucose factory in accordance
with two letters written to Mr.. L. G.
Abbott (Which letters l ask Mr.. Abb
bolt to publish), or what my motive In
opposing the present interurban propo-
sition is, or even whether or not am
sincere In my opposition, is not the
question to be considered by the citi-
zens and tax payers at the coming
election. Indeed, am modest enough
to believe that the people have little or
no interest at the present time in my
personality. I therefore most respect
fully decline to enter into a personal
controversy of any kind.
The question to be decided is wheth-
err or not the present interurban and
franchise proposition is a good one for
the city of MarshalNown. II in discus
sing this question / make any mis-
statement OF facts, I am more than
willing that the same should be cor
rected, as would not willingly mis-
lead any one in the consideration OF q
question of this Importance.
To my mind there are many objec-
lions to the present proposition and
many ways in which the present prop
osition could be improved. Few fran
chises have been granted In Iowa In
the last five years but that the city had
obtained certain concessions In return
for the favors granted in the fran
chises. Following are some of the OBJ
jections to the present proposition.
First. If it be true that there is any
possibility that the present company
has a perpetual franchise on the streets
Of the city, then before any other con-
cessions are granted a release in writ
ing should be fled, explicitly limiting
their franchise to eleven years more
and returning to the city all rights I'M
der this franchise at the expiration OF
that period, or before another fran
chise is granted the present franchise
should be abrogated. We do not want
this question to come up and be the
cause Of endless litigation at the end
of eleven years. I do not think there
is a particle Of merit to this conten-
ton. but we should be on the safe side.
Second. The price Of gas should be
reduced 1t should be at least $1.25
a thousand feet for all purposes, with
a further reduction of cents each for
two years, thereby bringing the price
of gas down to 81 thousand feet at
the end of ten years.
Third. The best authorities claim
that electric current, by the use of up
to-date high voltage dynamos, can be
produced and delivered at a cost of
from 6 to 8 cents kilowatt and the
price of electricity should be reduced
to at least 10 cents kilowatt, with
discounts as now provided from the
present rate. Many Of the towns in
Iowa are already enjoying this rate.
Fourth Provision should be made
as to the number Of cars to be run
over the new extensions and over the
interurban, that is, it should be speci-
fed as to whether a car will be run
once each hour or once each week, so
that the people will know what they
are going to get in the way Of car SER
vice.
Fifth A provision should be inserted
in the franchise granting the city the
right to buy the plants at any ive-year
period and paying a price for the
same, OIL say Ten tllHeS lHe net ediH@
ings, or a price to be fixed by apprais-
ers.
Sixth. The provision agreeing to
leave the rates in force as fixed by the
ordinance for a period of five years,
should be excluded, as the legislature
has given the council the right to fix
the rates Rates should be based on
net revenue of the plant rather than
In accordance with the rates in other
cities in the state.
These and many other objections