Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-09-11
.a)-F(N)l power DAN.
PROJECT At IOWA FALLS WILL
INSURE CHEAPER LIGHT AND
POWER RATES. )
CALL FOR EXPENDITURE
OF HALF MILLION DOLLARS
Proposed to Develop From $500 TO
5000 Horse Power in Natural Res
ervoir - Company Has Options on
Lighting Plants at EIdora, Hampton
and Other Nearby Towns.
Special to Times-Republican.

Special to Times-Republican.
Iowa Fails, Sept 11.-Last might the
city council met to consider the pro-
posed electric light and street railway
franchises which the Interstate Power
Company are asking for period Of
twenty-five ars,\and if found ac-
ceptable in the ordinances submitted
by the company, to issue a call for a
special election for the people to vote
on the granting of the two franchises.
This brings to public notice the pre-
ed here for several weeks by M, G.
Albrook, of Delhi, Iowa, the represen-
.tative of the Interstate Power Com
pany, which claims its head offices in
Chicago and which is said to be in
corporated under the laws of Idaho.
Several weeks ago, Mr.. Albrook Sc
cured an option on the mill property
and water rights owned by Harp &
Roberts, the consideration being stated
as $12,500 Under the terms of this
agreement, the company is to pay $500
to bind the bargain and each party to
the contract Is to post a certified
check Of $4,000 in local bank as
guarantee that both will fulfill the
terms of the contract Of sale. Other
options have been taken by Mr.. AL
brook in the city on properties that
will be affected if his proposed water
power plant materializes.
Half Million Plant.
It Is stated the company proposes to
invest a half million dollars or more
in big water power plant here and
that among the details are a thirty foot
dam across the Iowa river a short dis
lance below the Oak street bridge.
This will create an immense reservoir
running back between the high banks
Of the Iowa river at this point, the dis
lance of mile or more. In addition,
supplementary reservoir is offered in
lake covering several acres in the
west part of the city. 1t is estimated
the plant will develop between $500
and 5000 horsepower and will grind
out electricity at such a low rate that
electric lighting and power rates will
be revolutionized in this part of the
state.
Lower Electric Rates.
It is proposed in the ordinances now
pending to place the maximum rate
for lightning at 10 cents per K. W.
hour and the power rate at 8 cents
er rates to large consumers. This is a
reduction Of one-third in the present
lighting rate The company also pro-
poses to light all the city buildings free
and to furnish forty 1000 c. p. street
lights at 50 each per month, or about
the same as now paid for eight lights
of like power.
Power for Other Cities.
It is reported that the company has
secured options on the Hampton, Ell
dora and other lighting plants and will
acquire them il the present PROPOSE
ton goes thru, thus giving surround
ing cities and towns the advantages of
water power electricity and much lower
lighting and power rates. 1T is esti-
mated that with the stringing of wires
to cities and towns within a radius Of
thirty miles, the rails for interurbans
will quickly follow, thus making this
city radia ting point for a SYSTEM of
interurbans as we'll as a. source of light
and power. The project is a big one but
is regarded by competent engineers as
feasible and its development now or in
the future means much to the citizens
of Iowa. Falls. It is proposed by the
company to commence work as soon as
the preliminaries can be arranged, it
is stated the plant will be making cleo
tricity by March 1, next, at the farth-
est. The community and the council
are favorable to the enterprise and
there is no question but that the fran
chises will be granted. 1t will then be
up to the Interstate Power Company
to go ahead with the proposition.