Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1906-10-24
AS AND
WATER
RATES
Eftle Interest Taken in
Meeting Which Adj burned
TO 1870 Tonight

4 The meeting of the council COM
/ ,,tee to whom was referred the
W ordinances regulating water and
hitting rates at the police court
om last evening, to which all citi-
ms with grievances or otherwise
ere invited was poorly attended
hon Chairman Haas called the
.eeting together there were present
bur councilmen, viz: Haas, Bayne,
Il cob and Low, two newspaper re-
brters. three corporation represen-
Btives and three citizens. Later this
W ,av TO four reporters and about
Ibzen citizens.
= Mr.. Haas announced that the OBJ
bct of the meeting was one of the
reatest Importance. He said he
has not opposed to corporation or
Rapital. but that he thought the pub
lie had been paying entirely too
huch for light and water. He said
had labored for eight months to
kollect in formation. He had replies
from about half the cities communi-
hated with, and stated that these re-
<plies would be open for inspection,
but that they would not be turned
|over to any one.
Mr.. Haas appointed Mr. Bayne sec
|retary of the meeting, and suggested
that the light ordinance be taken up
section by section. Mr.. Bayne first
called upon Manager Page, of the
electric company for his views on
the rates proposed. The latter COM
piled by simply stating that he con-
sidered the rates proposed as entire
ly out of proportion with the cost.
He spoke of the measure as radical
and out of harmony with the man
ner in which such matters are every
where conducted.
Mr.. Haas then asked If it was not
a matter of fact that 32-candle
lights would no longer be furnished,
but that 16-candle lights would
hereafter be supplied at the same
cost. Mr.. Page answered that it was
true in part and untrue in part.
Mr.. Bayne asked Manager Page
what 1t cost to produce a kilowatt of
current in Salem. The latter de-
clined to answer, saying that he did
not know, but that he would not con-
slider it proper even if he did know.
Mr. Haas has consulted the Ia
coma rate and stated that the en-
closed arc rate there was the same
as at Salem.
When further questioned Mr..
Page stated that his company had
spent $4,000 in improving the
plant, besides $4,000 for new cars
And track service. In addition to
his his company has spent $500 on
The rock quarry equipment, and has
agreed to pay 5000 toward the con-
of the concrete bridge
across North Mill creek. Mr.. Page
Also stated that the present Salem
rate is exactly the same as the Port
and rate, thus giving us as low a
hgure as is obtained in a city of ten
lines the size. The power rate has
ilso been reduced to the Portland |
ate He stated that the power is at
present not taken from Portland, but
hat the company hopes to take pow
II from there within a year. A COM
'lete reconstruction of Salem busi-
hess lines is about to be inaugurated,
including new poles, wires, etc.
In order to supply power to the
PORTLAND electric road, it is proposed
% spend 100000 on a new power
transmission line from Oregon City,
As well as $4,000 for a new system
Ior handling this power in Salem.
'as Is now being furnished at 81,
uereas up to four years ago 1t cost
~ and within IS months So. Prac-
'caiiy new modern gas plant will
ave TO be put In soon. as the present
'ne Is SO years old, and correspond
lsiy out OF date. Mr.. Page intimat-
u that the new gas plant would be
"a oil plant instead of coal plant.
nis viii cost not less than $4,000.
'u' Mr.. Page suggested that all the
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