Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-03-11

ed as an assent by it, its success
sors and assigns, to all the terms
and provisions of this ordinance. y;
and, in connection Herewith also
filed in writing the following reasons
for such proposed amendments:
with reference to suggestion go
wish to say briefly that it is the
opinion Of good many good people
that when municipalities purchase
public utilities they should pay the
cost and loses of experiment as
part of the purchase price. In any
event the value Of the plant must
be determined on evidence. Such
evidence in large measure comes from
engineers. 1t is a general rule amons
them that when the municipality
elects to buy it must take the plant
as it finds it, reckoning as one e'e
ment of value the cost of replacing
less depreciation on the different
parts caused by wear aud use-and
this although in the interest of econo-
my and good service, an entire new
construction of the plant may be
necessary. Other elements of value
by them considered are franchise
value" and going value" Under
our present statute, as l understand
it, the Commission is proceeding on
that basis. Sec 1797m-5.
The common understanding of pub
lie utilities includes waterwCrks.
street lighting, local telephon;ng and
street car service proper. 1t does
not include the transmission of cleo
trical power and current from a mani
facturer of such power and current,
operating without a public utility fran
chise, to one engaged in some private
manufacturing business or industry.
Yet l find that exactly this con
struction of the statute is claimed
by those asking the grant CT the pres
ent proposed franchise.
Such claim by them may not be
without some warrant under the
existiro laws and in view of the sit
uation here in this city and about
the city, those who are so situated
as to be able to produce and deliv-
er power first hand to manufacturing
establishments for the purpose of run
ming the same should not be in any
way hampered in so doing, and such
purchasers and consumers ought not
to be required to take it through the
medium of this company or any other
at a necessarily enhanced cost.
The city also at all times ought
to have the power and authority to
purchase power and current directly
from the producer at the best figures
it can obtain, for the operation of
its waterworks and other public
utilities.
An interurban or street railway
| system would be important to this
| city and other municipalities in this
valley. Such street railway ought to
have the power and privilege to make
the best contract it can from pro-
ducers of power and current for the
| operation of its railway system.
These points are intended to be
covered by Paragraphs and 4 of
said suggestions.
Suggestion speaks for ITSELF
Thereupon the matter was fully d s
cussed at length, orally by .Messrs. B.
X. Goggins, J. A, Gaynor, E. P. ArDin
| and L. NJ. Nash.
After such discussion Alderman
Briere moved that said proposed or
dinance and franchise be amended
as provided in said proposed amend
ment filed by B. r. Goggins Motion
duly seconded and on roll call the
vote resulted as follows: AYES
Steib, Sampson, Briere, Lukaseski,
| Gilmaster, Jackson and Ristow, 7.
NAYES:-A. D. Hill, Ellis, Painter.
Roenius, Rossier, Lyon and Payne, 7.
The motion was carried and the pro-
posed amendments duly adopted by
the Mayor voting, Aye.
Motion made and seconded that the
proposed franchise and ordinance as
amended be adopted.
On roll cali, the vote resulted as
follows: AYES:-Steib, Sampson,
Briere, Lukeseski, iGlmaster, Jackson
and RistOW, 7. NAYES:-A D. Hill,
Ellis, Painter, Roenius, Rossier, Lyon
and Payne, 7. The ordinance and
franchise, as amended, was adopted
by the Mayor voting Aye.
| franchise and Ordinance as A.
dopted may be seen in legal form.)
On motion, by unanimous vote, the
Clerk calling the roll, the Grand
Rapids Improvement Association was
given authority to expend for improve
ment of the parks the sums of money
accrueing from the rent of the laundry
property and sale of buildings on the
property purchased by the Associa-
| ton.
The Committee on General Business
to whom had been referred the petit
ton of D. D. Conway, ct. al, request
ing that three lights be placed on
Second Street South of Vine Street,
reported recommending that two sma
arc lights be placed at the follow
ing corners to-wit: The BAPTIST
Church and Art Miller residence cor
ner and the William Johnson and
Grace House corner.
On motion the above report of the
Committee was adopted.
On motor by unanimous vote. the
Clerk calling the roll, the following
bills were allowed.
Labor for February EAST Sfde)
| j. b. PlnSonneau 1O5 hrs. a TIC SIS SO