The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1907-06-11
THE LIGHTING
CONDITIONS
Report Of the Committee on
Street Lighting Makes an
Extended Report.
NEW FRANCHISE RECOMMENDED

4 u6 lucGUHlS USlu W lIcdI Cllc IepOIb
of the committee on lighting appoint
ed at the public meeting on December
26, in Y. M. G. A. Hall last Thursday
evening was attended by over a hundred
men. Ex- Mayor Reed called the meet
ing to order and was elected chairman
of the meeting with G. f. Wilson, as
secretary. The latter read the report
of the committee, going into detail into
the condition Of the gas and electric
plants.
The reading was followed by de-
scription of what the committee had \
found in the electric plants by Rev.
F. L. Humphreys, which caused great
laughter. He explained that while
he had been away for two months, he
had kept his interest in the move
ment, The present machinery. he de-
elared, should be sent to jamestown
to exhibit along with Fulton's steam
boat and other relics of antiquity
He was glad to see an awakening of
the people as they are to blame for
neglecting to look after their duties
in the past, Now that another COM
pany in a measure co operative COM
pany, is being formed. all can have
chance to help, and he urged progress
to make the town more attractive in
every way.
f. r. Kellogg said he was glad to
note the change that had come over
the gas conditions. but, unfortunately,
it has not been manifested in electric
conditions. The reason for the change
is public opinion coherent which has
learnedswhat it should look for and
how to make itself felt. The chance
is now at hand to help in the electric
work and he advised that the citizens
subscribe to the stock if offered, even
in small blocks. that they support the
board of aldermen, standing solidly be-
hind them even though the applica-
ton is bitterly opposed by the same
men who wanted to dictate terms to-
the town. The time has gone by, he
declared, when corporations can die
tate as they have and portion of
the blame for those conditions rests
on each one of US. Lastly, he urged
that citizens take service from the
new company.
Eney Grupelliaske if the new COM
pany meant competition, and when he
was told that it did, said that is what
we want.
r. W. Cauldwell offered a resolution
accepting the report of the committee,
and it was so ordered.
Mr.. Reed stated that the gas com
pany had let contracts for new re-
tortS year ago and their expert made
many suggestions to the committee.
Mr.. Cauldwell thought that the
lighting committee of the aldermen
should be the gas commission suggest
ed by the report and introduced a
resolution to that effect. There no
State commission in this line and he
thought the official body the better
one to bring conditions to the atten-
tion of the people.
r.. D. Foote thought the committee
too liable to change in membership,
and more permanent body of men,
who could gain information on the
subject preferable.
Alderman Twining took the same
ground as Mr.. Foote, while Mr.. Kellogg
thought that the association might be
taking too much Of the management
of the town upon themselves, and
questioned if it is wise for unofficial
bodies to govern the town.
Alderman Twining offered a substi-
tute resolution, providing for COM
mission along the lines suggested by
the committee, which Admiral Cooper
seconded, stating that the president
is already established in the sewerage
and shade tree commissions. The
amendment or substitute resolution
was adopted.
John Bonsal introduced a resolution
affirming that the price of gas is still.
too high and requesting the company
to reduce the price. to $l.25 net for
lighting purposes, leaving the fuel
rate as at present Sl.15 net. The reso-
luton was adopted.
On motion of e. Hurtzig, the recon-
mendations of the committee were
concurred in and the report ordered
presented to the board of aldermen
E. S. Burke said some action should
be taken on the franchise to come up
Friday night and on his motion the
men voted that it was the sense OF
the meeting that the board Of alder
men should grant franchise to the
company now applying. There was
no opposition to the motion.
The thanks of the committee were
extended to the Y M. Q. A. for the
use of the hall on two occasions.
The report cited the resolution un-
der which it was appointed and stated
that it made no investigation of the
advisability of municipal ownership
plant, because under the law plant
could not be acquired or operated by
Morristown.
Because of the reductions in the
price of gas and electricity, the COM