Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-09-16

year $4,000. And when dollar gas was
reached it would cost them only S4,
400 out of their $4,000 profits provided
the consumption of gas did not in
crease. If it increased, as it surely
would, the margin of profit would grow
enough to more than make up the rate
reduction. Then 1t was shown to the
mayor that the Jones e Hovey plant
invoiced approximately 100000, that it
was qnortgaged for $4,000 on which
the interest charge was $4,000 per an
mum. Paying interest out of $4,000
profits left $4,000 per annum net
profit on $4,000 equity or "A per cent
dividends. The mayor was advised that
81 gas with its small possible reduction
in earnings would stand fire the mo-
ment Jones & Hovey's books were pro-
duced in court and the ordinance was
passed If the mayor would now stick
to his present ordinance the people of
| this town would pay $4,000 less this
year, $4,000 less next year and in the
next five years anywhere from $4,000
to 100000 less for gas than the mayor
proposes TO let the Pratt Darling crowd
collect according as the consumption Of
gas remains the same as it now is or
increases a little as rates come down.
This is the kind of reduced rates we
are promised on gas in return for
twenty-five year franchise.
Electric Rates Only Average.
But the rates on electricity are low
er. Sure. Jones & Hovey's rates have
been terrific and it was agreed last
fall between the mayor and the T.-R
that as soon as the gas ordinance had
stuck, electric light and power rates
would be revised Grinnell and other
towns had been getting a fiat rate CT
10 cents per k W. for lights for years.
The PARTICIPATING offer now is for al
most II cents net on everybody whose
bills are running between 50 per month
in the summer and 81 in the winter
under the present Jones & HoveN rates
| This includes the majority of consum-
ers and sticks them for 10 per cant
more than the Grinnen rates. To those
whose bills for electric lights are rum
ming from 1925 per month summer TO
IS winter the Pratt Darling rate is
within one tenth of / cent per X. w.
the same as the Grinnell rate. To very
large consumers only do the big reduc
tons apply and they are immaterial
because such consumers are factories
and stores using light in the early
evening or day time when the plant
is comparatively idle. Engineer Scllott.
| who got the MAYOR and Mr.. Denmaad
/ to organize a tentative company, show
ed them that the actual operating cost
of putting current on the wires in the
day time was 11a cents per k. W. and
if no one can use enough to get much
better than a cent rate there is still
profit in it.
Power Equals Other Terms.
1t is the same with the power rate.
/ While the reductions are marked as
compared with Jones & Hovey's rates
they are only average as compared
with other towns. For instance, the
Iowa Falls city council Monday night
when offered 10 cent electric light de-
handed 20 per cent reduction and
When offered Pratt-Darling's same
maximum Scent rate on power de-
manded reduction to cents. These
power rates are fixed so the little fell
low Will get Just what he is entitled
to and same as in other towns while
the big fellow will get rates low enough
to compete with his own cost of power
from mis- own steam plants. Present
electric power comes from the street
car circuit When rebuilt power will
be furnished from the lighting circui!
in day time while this plant is other
wise idle and at cost OF 1is cents PEI
K. w. 1t is cunningly provided thai
motors get power rate only between
hours of a. m. and Z p. M, after
which the rate jumps back up to light
rate schedule
Rebuilding Indefinite.
IL she matter of rebuilding the plant
nothing specific is promised at all
They merely agree to rebuild adequate
70 the needs of the community or some
thing like that. and the people are te
cot twenty-five year franchise in re-
turn FOR rates much higher than the
council can now establish by ordinance
unde- the law In this franchise WE
are u grant exclusive rights for stree
cars 50 as TO permit the local company
10 hold up any interurban that ma,
ever want to come in My real OPP.
!; position is the NJ. L. P. & Ry. c. ugh!
People Build Their Own Railroads.
Don't you want street car exten-
sions? Sure. 50 it is proposed to built
10 the city park in eighteen months
The excess in the laboring mans ga
rates above the mayors present ordi
nance viii build the line with som.
profit left but the law of Iowa prevent
giving free passes to iaboring men. TIL
. next year the county fair line can b.
built out of these same excess ga
charges. And by then waiting for tw,
, years more enough can be gathere
from the excess gas charges to built
the line west and around somewher
near the Ingledue farm. Here the lab
oring men who have built the line on
! of their gas bills can buy cheap homes
The Fifth ward line which laborin
men should build first as many liv
. over there is put off until 1915 blu
as there is no velvet in the ga
rates after that it is provided tina
this line will be built whe
THE steam roads provide viaduct
These roads would be valuable publ
i, Improvements, all of them, but the ga
consumers are to build them and W
!, are not promised improvement in tn
;. street car service. There is a provisio
that cars must run at intervals of nc
, TO exceed thirty minutes but when TIL
: line from Third street to the depots
: mentioned the interval is made eigf
minutes when traffic will warrant c
, something to that effect. If HERNIA
would let up on the water which is no
, shut off and hire a lawyer to examin
: this contract for him he could make
hero of himself.