Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-13


"a East Colorado Street.
Sunset Main 27i0 Home 1885,
PASADENA. Dec. 12.-As result of the
adverse criticism of the Management of
the municipal lighting plant by Super
intendent c. C. Glass, he has made
statement that sheds considerable light
on the affair.
II has has been repeatedly asserted that it
is the policy of Mayor Farley to so
embarrass the lighting plant as to work
an advantage to a private lighting cor
poration.
The need of a bond issue. as claimed by
Mayor Farley, has not been fully inn
pressed on large percentage of the
voters of Pasadena and he has not so far
advanced any convincing arguments in
favor of voting 200 in one lump.
There are those who believe they see
a deep laid scheme of the mayors in the
way the bond issue is to be presented
to the people.
They argue if it carries the plant will
be so heavily burdened with fixed charges
that it will be impossible to reduce the
rate for electricity so the city can sue
cessfully compete with the Edison com
pany. On the other hand if the two
amounts are combined instead of being
voted as separate propositions and the
people do not vote the 100000, then the
plant will be embarrassed for the amount
that it should have for its completion,
and the mayor will try to shift the re-
sponsibllity on the shoulders of the
voters.
Future of Plant Uncertain
The future of the plant seems to be BE-
tween the deep sea and another alter
native as much feared.
70 hn or for Of
it appears the mayor followed the plan
laid down so far as it suited him to do
and then discarded 1t and shouldered the
blame for the entire affair on the shoul-
ders of the lighting superintendent
The statement of Mr.. Glass appears to
be frank and fair and is subject to con-
firmation. Just what answer the mayor
will make is matter of speculative in
terest.
The mayor has refused to allow any of
the general fund to be used, but admits
that it will be necessary if the bonds do
not carry.
In the meantime he is delaying the
completion of the commercial system
and every day he delays the people of
Pasadena are paying to the Edison com
pany about twice as much as they would
have to pay if the plant were in opera
tion, while the interest on the bonds now
issued is not being paid from the rev.
enue of the plant as was anticipated in
the original plans.
Tells of Letters
Following is Mr.. Glass statement:
May IL, 1907, | received the following
letter from Mayor Farley, which is self
explanatory:
Chas c. Glass, Municipal Electric Light
Plant.
My Dear Sir: For the purpose of es-
tablishing municipal electric plant there
was appropriated by direct tax the sum
of So, 1853. There was realized from thu
sale of the bonds voted by the people
S125,0O0 and accrued interest of $2675.i9
making a total of $3.50, 10 appropriated
by the city for the purpose.
On assuming office | find on inquiry
that there is still in the treasury accord
ing to the auditors report balance of
$l09,S51.sS with which to complete and
equip the lighting plant l am informed
that there are outstanding contracts for
equipment and material involving large
amounts. In order that l may assist In
telligently with the work will you kindly
give me the following information:
FirsI-What the city has purchased AMI
what has been accomplished with the
money already spent?
Second-What will be the condition of
the plant when all outstanding contracts
are fulfilled?
Taird-What balance will remain for
furnishing and completing the system,
after outstanding contracts are fulfilled?
Fourth-Whether, in your opinion as an
engineer and expert, such balance will he
sufficient to properly complete said sys-
tenn
Fifth-When, in your opinion, can ch,
current be turned on to the city lights?
Sixth-Are the two engines already fu:-
nished and now installed sufficient ~
your opinion to supply current for street
lighting and also supply all the need
of the city lights for domestic use?
Seventh-If additional power and wiring
are required please include these items
in your estimate of additional cost VITA
your reasons for same Yours truly,
7. EARLEY, Mayor.
Submits Reports
In reply to this 1 submitted the follow
ing letter:
To the Honorable Mayor, Thomas Farley.
Of the City of Pasadena
Dear Sir: Replying to your request 1
am herewith submitting a general repo.s
covering the cost of installing our muni-
cipal electric light plant as designed
heretofore aloug with it's cost to date and
probable cost to finish the same as lal1
out with suggestions for it's future de.
velopment and in fact all general data
covering the same and should you or the
city council wish l will gladly submit
you detailed statements covering any
feature of our plant that you request.
I will be glad to explain any feature Of
the inclosed report should it not be clear
to you Respectfully submitted,
CHAS. C. GLASS,
Manager Municipal Lighting Dept
Following this letter the report sta ed
there would be required to complete the
plant from the date, May IA, in addition
to the funds then on hand in the ac1Iti-
sition and construction fund, $23 072. In
the same letter, as an explanation, this
clause appeared:
It was our original intention to install
the street lighting equipment first, as by
so doing we should be able to take over
all of the street lighting on our ne,v
plant and by charging ourselves for this
light we would obtain revenue which
would show an income of considerable
profits.
II being my intention to use the profits
Of the business as we'll as the $2sO72, as