Tonopah bonanza. [volume] (Butler City [i.e. Butler], Nev.) 1901-1909, 1907-11-23
EDITORIAL COMMENT
THE LIGHT THAT FAILED.

The Nevada Light and Power company failed to make a reply last
night to the array of facts presented in yesterdays Bonanza, and the
Evening Moon. which reflected the views of the gouging monopoly re-
tired into eclipse. The Moon was eclpsed, passing into total shadow
behind Incorporation The mails were crowded with copies OF the letter
which appeared and which was paid for in the Evening Moon, sent out
800 p% poDar oomnonr Tocntres In $3.50 IL to l"4s " ~ M aa
value of the Bonanzas editorial was thoroughly appreciated.
The wall Of the electric lighting company that they are losing
money by the change from a fiat rate to the meter system does not fool
and Just 1t may be right and just to put in meters, and if it stopped
at that there would be n Q remonstrance from this paper What we, as
well as every other customer Of the company, object to, is the exorbi-
tant charges for light and power. If these charges result from the in
stalaton Of the meters, then we say, out with the meters, for then we
know that the meters cannot be right.
The claim is made that the meter system is generally in Isl in the
big cities. AS we remarked yesterday, that is true, and the meters ar
regulated so that the fearful charges cannot be made possible. We ar
aware also. that the Nevada Light and Power company may be forced
70 give lower rates, and then with the meters, give us the worst Of il, and
We re going to look out for that, toe. When the gas and electric COM
pany Of San Francisco was forced to reduce its rates, they simply man
lpuaed tn meters Sc that the bills were s big a $ ever. and the service
The monopoly down there went a bit too strong. and the newspap-
es, or a least some OF them took up the peoples fight, and laid bare
their Juggling with the meters The subject was kept adtated until the
lighting company was compelled to do the proper thing by their consul
metH. me mployes OF te Sh francisco corporation were most auto
cratic and impertinent. The people who were paying their salaries
through the meters. received no more consideration than if they were
so much dirt When the lighting company went down to defeat, they
had to get new employees There is some Of that spirit manifest among
Hobbs. that the meter were mi IN - nrotect ~ $500 ,o ~ nag 4seea
who puroin their power in irons, heaters and the like; and they pro-
coed to treat the majority Of their customers as if they were common
thieves.
In an intermountain town recently, there W a al outcry raised
against the exorbtant charges OF the electric lighting company. The re-
salt was a test in court, and the meters were thrown out. Now, the
town has a fiat rate, an excellent service, and there is NJ more painful
ho"ls on the part of the company about loss of money through fat rates
or meters. The people arose in their might and made them satisfied
with the good thing they had without going further to gouge. They put
it out Of the power of the company to gouge. There will be a better
understanding bye and bye between the Nevada Light and Power com
pany and the people of 'Tonopah.
The Evening Moon avs edtoriary, last night. that it must confess
that It does not feel altogether sorry for the people who were 81 short
sighted We know that without the Moon going into paroxysms of joy
IN ne telling Of it. We know that the Moon has never been oil the right
sade Of anything to help the people, and that it has taken the electric
lighting companys money on this occasion to throw the harpoon into the
people. But luckily the roped circulation is short, and the harpoon
doesn't go far. That is why the Nevada Light and Power company sent
so many copies of their inane letter through the postomee.
me grand jury has a abstract of the franchise under which the
electric company is operating, and 1t is a most interesting document. IT
would do credit to a kindergarten school. 1t is so simple, and vet avs
SO little.