The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1909-02-18
THURSDAY. FEBRUARY Is. 100.
BETTER DAYS AHEAD

Council on Monday afternoon devel.
oped Information ia reference to the
franchises asked for by the Freder.
icksburg Power Co. and its associ-
ased and allied interests which
ought to enable she Council, acting
for the citizens OF Fredericksburg, to
act intelligently and for the best in.
terests OF the community.
The representatives of the city
with their counsel, Mr.. Fitzhugh, and
the representatives OF the Water
Power Co., seemed possessed with
the idea of earnest inspection OF each
and every word OF the franchises
proposed with the purpose OF a LID.
eral grant OF power to the company
and st the same time adequate pro-
lection OF the interests OF the CITY
aud the citizens OF fredericksburg.
The committee stated that Freder-
icksburg in the past had denied ap-
plication for franchises somewhat
similar 90 those proposed because
they had never been assured that the
franchises were asked for with an
idea OF real developments, but were
sought for speculative purposes, and
Is was not the purpose OF the Council
at any time TO grant franchises for
such purposes. Facts and figures
brought out showed that the good
faith OF those asking FIR the fran
chise had been evidenced by the large
expenditures already made in Fred
ericksburg.
In reply to a question as to wheth-
er or not fredericksburg would ad-
vantage by the local developments or
whether the power would be mark
eted elsewhere, Mr.. whitner replied
that he had been assured by Mr..
Gould that fredericksburg would
have first call on all she facilities a.
forded by the developments.
Apprehension was expressed by
the committee that should an cleo
trio road be built It's Requirements OF
power would be such as to leave lit
tie or no power for commercial and
factory purposes at fredericksburg,
In reply 30 which Mr.. Whitner stated
that the development was on too
large a scale for any such apprehen-
sion, and that while he could not see
In the future, not being able to state
definitely she growth of the trade
and traffic OF the electric road, yet he
thought wish a possible $4,000
horse power developed by the river
there would be ample power here to
run the electric road and to supply
the city for years to come.
Mr. Whitner expressed the opinion
that the electric road would surely
be bulls and shat the power house
generating company contemplated
a plan capable Of extension as the
need of the community required, and
said that Mr.. Van Dorm had the first
call on the power company up to
1900 horse power. All the present
supply OF the Water Power Co. con-
sumed only approximates GOO horse
power and shat Mr.. Van Dorn's con-
tract, therefore, would insure to the
city for commercial and domestic
purposes and power in addition to
that now running the mills for Fred
ericksburg twelve or more times as
great. In the reading OF the fran
chise proposed and the discussion OF
It's various fixtures, it was at once
made clear that the Fredericksburg
Power Co. sought no exclusive right
OF franchise, and Is would be within
the power of the city at any time to
grant other franchises, as well as 30
regulate rates charged for electric
power and lighting under she pro-
posed franchise.
The people OF fredericksburg are
conservative They have lacked def
mite Information upon the vital
points brought out in this meeting
until this time, but now that they
have reasonable assurances of the
good faith OF the applicants, the
franchise as asked for ought to be
granted. We need the developments
which will result, and which will not
and cannot come about until some
such franchises are granted to some
one. In our judgments there is enough
now In sight to make us look for
ward 30 wonderful advancement in
old Burg, and tremendous business
activity In the near future and in the
years to come.
The February number of the Vir-
gsnia Magazine, published at Lynch
burg, and edited by Edgar Syden-
stricken, who was formerly student
- fredericksburg College, contains
, good deal Of interesting matter
and she magazine should command
he support Of every virginian at
home and abroad. Not the least |
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