The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-06-25
Light Competition

With the inevitable absorption Of all Of the Elec-
tnca patronage in Montgomery. friends sometimes
express apprehension that the monopoly OF all the cleo
tncal current sales by this company may tempt the
company to increase its rates for service
1t is not the desire Of the NJ L. & w. P. Co. to
rub it in on the estimabe gentlemen who were
misled to the scheme Of maintaining competing lighting
plants in Montgomery Other men in other cities have
made the same mistake and this company cannot afford
to add to the misfortune Of those whom it will serve,
but short history Of competing or what are called
raidng electric light plants may interest many. and
the pledge of this company will interest everybody
whose welfare is with that Of Montgomery.
Only few years since the Electrical patronage
Of any city was about one third in volume Of what it
today. In many cities throughout the country the
Electrical Central Stations were forced to charge what
would now appear to be exorbitant rates order to
maintain any kind Of servcabe plants yet the outlook
for future sales of electrical current was bright enough
to encourage in many instances the promotion OF
petng plants in the limited business districts. This
was in nearly every instance followed by failure to the
competing or 'raiding" company. In few instances
did the 'raiding concerns sell out to the original COM
panies at profit The cities thus experimented on,
however have all concluded thatit was "a bad thing
for the city" and il, no instance has the cOnlpef-
ton been the cause OF permanent reduction OF
rates. The only reduction in electrical rates has come,
and only can come from increased market Of the og-
nal stations product
The state departments of Wisconsin. Massachu-
sets and New York now absolutely prohibit charter
TO such companies. and IN few years this ruling will
prevail In every state
American cities now as a rule prevent the organ-
zaton of competing electrical central station companies
for they have proven "hoodoo to those Cities mas
much competing companies simply cut into the BUSH
districts supplied by the original company at the
expense of residence territories and service improve
ment The bill for the imaginary luxury Of competi-
ton has to be footed by somebody, usually the people
Mark you, no "raidng company will ever
attempt to its lines throug hout the entire city.
will they bear their just burdens Of city affairs. No
one has yet heard Of such companies ever resulting in
any good for city.
The Montgomery Light & Water Power Com
pany limited in its business to the city of Montgom-
cry and vicinity. 1t is and always will be limited in
its rates for service to the cheapest rates which light
heat and power can be supplied by other mediums
1t is to its interest bound to reduce the rates
for gas and electrical rapidly reduce
them. IT UiI abide by the decision of the Nation
al State or Civic Governments in regard to
taxation, rates for service and other regulations,
butt ,UiH not be held up by any Electrical
Competition If the Montgomery Light & Water
Power Company has surplus earnings to dispense, those
earnings will be devoted to the benefit of all the
people Of Montgomery and not to the profit OF or
two amateur "magnates
With the extinction Of Electrical competition will come
Cheap for Gas and Electrical service and force in