The San Francisco call., 1910-09-22
MAYOR NOY ASKS
FOR REFERENDUM
AIameda's Executive Desires
Expression on Proposed Pur-
chase of Electric Current

ALAMEDA, Sept. 21.-Mayor William
Il. Noy is desirous of obtaining public
opinion as to the advisability of the
city purchasing electric power for use
Ia the daytime from the Great Western
power company, and in a statement is
sued today invited the fling of a petit
tion for a referendum vote on the sub
feet. Mayor Noy declared that # there
are any residents who oppose the con-
temPlated action of the council in en-
tering into a contract to purchase
power from an outside concern he
wants them TO draw UP and have signed
petition calling for a referendum
vote.
The city owns its own electric plant
but the electricity commission is of the
opinion that power for the daytime can
be purchased cheaper from an outside
company than it can be generated at
thel ocal plant the consumption in the
daytime being so small. The municipal
works viii be operated at night as
usual, il the power for the daytime is
purchased from the outside
Mayor Noy's statement is as follows:
With reference to the ordinance
which was passed last evening ap-
proving the Great Western power
contract with the city of Alameda.
for the delivery of electric current
I regard the subject as being of
great Importance to the people Of
proper that my views should be
given publicity at this time
This contract has been under con-
sideration by the board of cleo
trlcitY and the city attorney for
many months. In addition. the
hoard Of electricity has had care
rul report from a capable and dis
interested electrical engineer, which
supports the propriety Of such a
contract.
The only objection that 7 am
cognizant Of. to the contract, is that
II might tend TO SO limit the de-
velopment of our plant that il
would before long be absolutely
impossible 70 get along without
outside current However. the plan
which the board Of electricity con-
templates is such that the ouan-
tlty of energy to be furnished
under the contract is merely to be
used during such times as the
operation of the plant to its full
capacity would not be economical
ana under the circums noes con-
slder that this objection is not
weighty enough to turn down the
contract
However. I wish the public to
know that the charter of the city of
Alameda does not CONTEMPLATE, in
situation such as this that the
mayor or council should assume
entire responsibility There are no
doubt many citizens of this COM
munity whe have given this subject
much attention, as well as the Off
cials have mentioned. and If there
IS any difference of opinion on the
subject ii is not only the right. but
the duty of such citizen. to pro-
ceed under the provisions of the
cnarter which afford an opportunity
within 80 days to commence refer
enoum proceedings 10 submit the
entlre matter to the voters The
ordinance Of approval will not be-
come effective until the expiration
OF SO days from September 90. 1910
ano II a petition in due form comes
IN IN the meantime the matter can
pe very conveniently disposed of at
the next municipal election in April
so that II any there be who deem
e.ie contract unwise from the
standpoint of the city of Alameda
nope they will now come for
ward. give the people the benefit of
thelr opinions and if there is merit
ln their objections the voters will
then finally decide.