Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-08-21
Local Comment

The trouble with Mr.. Niederhauser's
plant is that he, himself, Is resisting
the milk inspection ordinance. If he
would come in gladly and comply with
the ordinance, have all OF his COWS in
spected and guarantee to his patrons
a pure product he would then be in
position to complain about the INFESTED
milk and milk products sold contrary
to ordinance 1t is not necessary to
violate an ordinance in order to secure
Its enforcement upon others.
Inquiry among a few members of the
council today develops that there Is
still secrecy as to the gas and electric
light rates which the mayors favored
group of utility men will offer to ac-
cept in new franchise, and yet the
proposed ordinance is to come before
the council next Monday. The Times
Republican will venture the prediction
that the power rates will be low. for
the reason that If Jones & Hovey or
anyone else invests money in an en-
larged power plant they must get the
business. Factories in Marshalltown
are now producing their own power as
and the central plant would have to
beat this price in order to get business.
The necessity for an ordinance upon
power rates is not so very great pro-
cvided the company is forced to re-
build. Competition will regulate rates.
Street acr extension will also be
promised but not guaranteed. The
street car franchise will be voted by
the people at the same time but sep
arately from the franchises on gas and
| electricity and If the company does not
choose to keep its promises it can let
| the street car franchise lapse while re-
tanning the franchises for gas and
electric lights, which are the main
thing.
1t is also safe prediction that the
mayors group will accede to the two
per cent gross tax or else the mayor
would not have suggested 1t in his pub
lie Interview. Based on Jones &
Hovey's gross income last year this tax
would yield the city $3.50 per annum
A margin of 31s cents per 100 cubic feet
on their gas rate and a margin of less
than three per cent on their electric
light rates would have paid 1t last
year. Supposing that rehabilitated
plant should increase the gas, electric
light and power business as much as
Colonel Pratt estimated that It would
this gross earnings tax of two per cen
would then yield the city approximate
| ~ $1,000 per annum and would come
out of the citizen touse-holders who
buy gas and electric lights if the rate
on gas should be made 1-3 cents pei
1000 cubic feet higher and on electric
light rates 2-3 per cent higher thar
the next lowest offer on rates. If thu
program is to get cheap power thu
owners of the Times Republican will
profit immensely because they ar
among the largest users of power in tn,
l city and we are for It, If this cheal
power is to be obtained at the eMpens
of the householder who pays electri
! light and gas bills that is his look-ou
when he votes on franchise. If tn
game is to promise street car exten
sons whenever men OF influence cal
profit or wherever votes are neede'
there ought to be some guarantee tina
the street car lines would actually b.
built and not abandoned after the othe
franchises had been obtained or.
built that the cost would not be levie
upon the public in the form of rate
for gas and electricity higher thai
some lower bidders might offer.
The Times Republican is going t
favor and support street car extension
1t is in favor of extension west from
the solSiers home gate and around t
Main street, regardless Of any effec
upon the Ingledue farm. 1t is In favo
of low power rates for that is wher