The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-10-11
THIRTY DAYS
on the Absher Electric Light
Franchise Was Delayed for Thir-

light franchise ordinance asked for
by John Absher, of Wagner, was the
principal feature of the business ses-
sion. There were a dozen or fifteen
spectators present to witness the
proceedings, and there al a full at
tendance of the council members
when Mayor Branson called the meet
ing to order at 8 o'clock. Auditor
Markham read the minutes of the
regular and special meetings which
stood approved as read.
The electric light franchise was the
first thing up in the session when the
mayor called for he introduction of
ordinances. Under this head a new
ordinance was introduced granting an
electric light franchise to George d.
Rosenthal, of st. Louis. Mr.. Rosen-
thai is here looking after the inter
ests of the Washington National
bank, of st. Louis, which holds most
of the bonded Indebtedness of the
plant.
T. j. Spangler, the attorney for
the Mitchell Gas company, addressed
the council in behalf of the new or
dinance just introduced. He stated
that the ordinance was presented for
Mr.. Rosenthal, who with others, ex-
pected to become owners of the
Mitchell Gas .company's property
just as soon as the business of the
company should be finished in the
federal court, and which is now in
the hands of the receiver appointed
by the court. 1t was the intention,
he said, to have the settlement COM
pleted just as soon as possible and
it would then be taken over by a
new company.
Mr.. Spangler stated that the or
dinance presented by Mr.. Rosenthal
contained the same features that
were offered by Mr.. Absher; that the
bank, of st. Louis, which holds most
rates we're just as low, that the SER
vice would be just as good and that
IA0 AOW WOu4O 6udl dAt0S W
furnish just as good light and per-
form every act fc. the betterment of
the lighting conditions that any 9TH
er company would do. Some months
ago, he said, the company asked for
time in which to formulate a propo-
Isition and he felt that they were
now before the council with as good
"a proposition as any that had been
l~presented, which would be carried
iout in full faith and all that was
necessary to give Mitchell as good a
lighting plant as could be found in
the United States. All that the com
pany asked for, Mr.. Spangler said
was a fair and square deal. The
Mitchell Gas company, he said, had
its money invested in the present
plant, and he believed that under
the circumstances 1t was entitled tt
more consideration than a company
which had not as yet a dollar invest
ed in property. He believed that i
the council agreed to the passage O
the Absher franchise that it would
mean the conascation of the proper
!ty Of the Mitchell Gas company, TO
with the two companies trying to d,
!, business here, and with the fran
, chise Of the Mitchell Gas compan,
, expiring in two years, would leav
the company stranded with its pro
{ perty.
Mr.. spangler said that negotia
lions have been on between Mr.. All
sher and the representatives Of tn
! Mitchell Gas company. but so ia
neither side has reached the figure
that the other was satisfied with, an
THAT his company would be willing t
sell II it was able to get what the
had invested in the plant. He be
9 lieved that the company was entitle
to consideration at this time for tn
8 reason that there were several Mitch
ell gentlemen, men of means an
D ability, who stood ready to inves
!. their money to the extent of $50
900 to 100000 to equip the plant i
the best possible manner to sery
D the citizens He held that if til
company IA granted a franchise
e meant much of a saving to the cit
zens and the city in the reduction
!. rates, but if it was turned over
d the Absher company it simply meal
t a fight in the future and also in
g paired service, for at least two year
l. Mr.. Spangler declared that the cit
is zens were entitled to better ligh
e and that his company would guara:
tee that it will do every thing poss
IS BILE to furnish them that.
1t Alderman Koch asked of Presto
" & Hannett an opinion on the excl
)f sive franchise which the Mitchell G
re company holds they possess und
d the franchise granted eighteen yea