The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-07-01
NEVER TOO LATE FOR CITY PLANT.

More than year ago The Press devoted considerable
time and space to the question of a municipal lighting
plant of relief from the monopoly of power
now held by private company in this city. 1t brings
some pleasure to note that the administration has caught
up with the idea
Comparisons with other cities that have tried the plan
under Tar more unfavorabe conditions than exist Spo
kane furnished proof of the argument that munc
pal lighting if properly conducted here would not only act
lever to break down the present scale of prices but
would afford the city source of actual revenue.
1t is perhaps true that the rate charged for street
lights by the w. W. P. CO. compare favorably with the
rate charged elsewhere, but in other locality in the
country electricity be generated so cheapy as in Spo
kane The local rate should be far below that charged
where steam plants depended upon in which event the
company would still reap reasonable profit.
Considering these advantages the Spokane commercial
rate exorbtant except in the of those close the
W. W. +. Co. management and who become thereby the
benecares of special rates for which the average
sumner has to suffer With the city in the field to sell cleo
trc current the immense advantage of city plant would
become Immediately apparent and permanent 1t could
pay the cost of the plant few years by the saving
street lighting alone.
In this connection it is just we'll to recall that the
attention OF the administration repeatedly called
the lapse OF the W. W. p Co. lighting contract in sufficient
time to have made preparations for city plant The mat
ter dragged along between the council and commissioners
until the contract actually did lapse. The company was
then IN position to dictate TERMS and did to the
OF naming the old price and inserting further provision
for the space Of five years from it's individual installation
form OF contract expansive response to the growth of
the city and continuing for indefinite term The admin
aton has that sort of sencted competition to meet
IN installing city light plant
This is burden that need not have been incurred but
1t not III any degree stay to the municipal scheme The
city has the power available the of securing and
installing machinery, pole righseverything except off
cal energy to proceed with the project successful
execution The city is we'll situated but better to
embark in municipal lighting
An opportunity is here offered Mayor Moore's admin
israton of comforting something of lasting benefit the
public that will be appreciated by business and private
interests alike The only objections will come from the
electric power interests They have been sufficient pre-
viously 1t remains to be which is the stronger
the public or the corporation.
Active and intelligent public interest will insure the
municipal plant in the face Of all corporation influence
that can be exered but constant and practical demon
stration of this interest will be absolutely necessary
In promoting its affairs the agents of a corpora
ton allowed to feel the necessity of support from
their directing force
The agents of the public rarely accorded this sup
port IN united and effective Without it they
accomplish little. With it they accomplish anything
the public desires.