The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1909-01-12

HINDERS IT
MorristOwn'S Lack Of Public
Spirit Has Influence On
New Company.
MOI TOO LATE YET 10 AID

DR.. H. LandOD. Humphreys has sent
us the following communication re-
garding the inception and present con-
dition of the Morris & Somerset EIec-
trio Co. which should prove interest
ing to our readers:
TO THE JERsEYMAN -:
In face of the criticisms excited BY
the raising of the electric light rates,
it is only fair to remind the critics of
few facts.
Tie new company was organized by
advice of a special committee appoint
ed at public meeting presided over
by the mayor, and the committee
made this recommendation only after
every other means had failed to pre-
vail upon the Public Service Corpora
tion to remodel their plant and give
the city better light The promises
Of the Public Service Corporation and
denials that they had made any prom
ises; were published in parallel in the
report of the committee.
AS by the charter Of the city Of Nor
ristown, no municipal plant could be
owned by the city, it was suggested
that a company be organized BY the
citizens to be owned by the citizenss
it being understood that no one should
own controlling interest-but that
the stock should be owned in small
lots and the ownership spread as much
as possible through the community.
This idea seemed to have the popu-
lar support Of large number of people
and everything pointed to the success
of the undertaking.
1t was OF course further understood
that the rates were to be as low as
possible. Ten cents per kilowatt was
mentioned as the highest rate prob0-
Bile. All profits over actual expense
and safe margin for deterioration OF
plant was to go to lowering the rates.
Now what has really occurred seems
to have been this. After a few in
dividuals had subscribed to enough
stock to start the new company, the
new company met first, the financial
depression, then the incomprehensi-
BILE, but nevertheless very active an
tagonism OF limited few, and then
most absolute apathy and indifference
on the part Of the majority. Those
who did come forward and subscribe
should deserve the thanks of the COM
munity. And it should be noted that
the women had a much higher concep-
tion of civic pride and duty, as they
always have, than the men.
The fact that the streets of the
town from being the worst lighted of
any, city in the state have become bet
ter lighted than any community of its
size in the state, seems to pass with
out notice.
The remarkable lack of public spirit
for which the city is rapidly becoming
known could not but have its influence
on this new effort. Funds did not come
in as looked for because stock could not
be sold except to the few. Money had
to be borrowed and high rates Of in
terest were charged. Two plants had
to be run at a loss instead of one at a
profit.
The whole situation could bechanged
even nov if enongh were subscribed to
put the new plant in condition TO
light the whole city. 1t is still neces-
sary to operate the old worn out plant
of the Public Service Corporation,
which lights large part of the city,
and while giving poor light it is very
extravagant to run, and is now being
maintained at a daily loss to the COM
pany.
To express it vulgarly-it is up to
the citizens of Morristown whether the
rates are to be higher or lower. And
it should further be remembered that
the new rates criticised are not so
high as those of few years ago which
were paid without question.
The gentlemen who have given their
time and money to this project pro
bono publico without recompense of
any kind cannot but feel little sore
at some of the criticisms which might
be called thoughtless.
But some reward comes from time
to time-as when the wife Of a most
bitter former opponent, who cut down
poles ruthlessly, writes to the COM
pany most enthusiastically thanking
it for the neao lights =. that lights
the family safely home at night r.
f. IIANDoN HUMPHREYS.