The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-07-04
More Light on the Light"

the sentiments of the people and tax
payers of this city, when 1t asserts
that because the Tribune has opposed
the granting Of the Snoeberger fran
chise and has in doing so told some
truths that do not sound we'll to some
of the councilmanic body (the pet
phrase used by Metsker in speaking
of the common counciD that the SEN
timent of the taxpayers has turned
to the proposed franchise favorably.
| In the first place the Independent
ignores the potent fact that 124 OF
the very best citizens and taxpayers
of this city have on file with this
councilmanic body solemn protest
against any consideration of the fran
chise at this time, nearly three years
from the expiration of the old one
and in the second place it must be
remembered by the public that the
Independent is always on the side
that is nimical to the best interests
of the general public
Before the present franchise ex-
pires every member of the presen
"councilmanic body" will be retired
from that body as their respective
terms of office will have expired, and
while we do not contend thai they
ought to wait until the franchise ex-
pires yet we do say that the question
of the city's ownership oughs to be
we'll considered before any THOUGHT
lis given to giving away a valuable
right and privilege for a period Of 10
years or even a less period of time
The time was when a franchise 70
a quasi-public enterprise might have
been granted with propriety, But
when as in this city it has been dem
lonstrated that municipal ownership
|pays, a set of members of the 'coun-
cilmanic body that lays awake OF
nights pondering as how best to give
away the rights Of the people to con-
ltrol their own business, gives rise at
least to the query why are they so
lanxious?
The water works plant of this city,
Icounting a fair price for each fire by
drant, and that usually paid to pri-
vate water company for such n.y.
ldrants, has paid for a number of years
land brought handsome return, not
lonly on the original investment, but
also on all repairs. extensions, and
renewing of wooden pipes by iron
lpipes.
Only a short time ago in the report
of the superintendent of the water
works was it shown that the rentals
are now paying all running expenses
leaving the fire hydrants as return
on the investment and this yielded a
l6 per cent return on over $4,000 OF
an investment which is perhaps SIS.
900 more than is actually invested.
The only objection that can reason
ably be urged at this time against
municipal ownership of our electric
light business is that the city has
not the money This objection is
without merit when it is we'll know
that the city has the right to take
stock in an electric light company
in fact become the principal owner
of the common stock and that by
virtue of law on the subject passed
in 1905 this privilege is expressly
granted to a city. The company
could Issue preferred stock bearing ;
fair interest and the city as principal
stakeholder would be in virtual con
troll from the start and could retire
the preferred stock from the earn
ings in very few years; in fact tht
$4,000 now paid for the city's stree
lights would in connection with The
water works plant pay the addition
al expense of running an electri,
light plant
This paper has not opposed the
granting of franchise on person
al ground as was intimated in Nets
ker's paper. 1t opposes it because !;
: is not to the interest of the citizen.
: and taxpayers; but it will say tina
the council is not making Mr.. Snoe
berger live up to his present fran
chise and yet are seriously consider
ling giving him additional rights am
privileges. He has ever since he be
came owner of the plant charged
f, users by the killowat measurement
: when his contract and former fran
: chise gives him no such right, bu
provides that it shall be measured a
1-2 cent per hour per light (incandes
cent? yet every home and bushes
house in the city has had its ligh
4 measured on the killowat scale, tel
. per cent difference in favor of tn
company. And for long time h
r had no bond on file as required b,
I his franchise, and we wonder wheth
: er he now has.
We oppose the franchise becaus
it is giving right and privilege tina
: is worth thousands OF dollars TO
a practically nothing, except delusiv
: Production on a few municipal lights
The councilmanic body can over
] ride the will of the people; some o
a them are inclined to do so; and on
: has determined to do so at all haz
d ards, what his reason is may neve
lie found out but he seems TO be s.
firmly resolved that no matter wha
, Happens he will vote for "Snoey"
Fasts 80 Days; Feels Better.
DR.. |. J. Eales of Belleville, who's
| exner;rneu+ in dietary reform nv. ab