The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-05-07

Foulke and Mr.. Bernhardt were Sc
lected as a committee with authority
to act in the representation of their
respective organizations.
Declined to Attend.
The county commissioners had ex-
pected to attend this meeting, but were
advised by Wilfred Jessup whom they
met as they were leaving the court
house not to do SO. He said that the
place to transact and discuss the coun-
ty's business was at the court house
and not at appointed meeting places
of other organizations. The commits
sioners sent word. however, that if
the. committee wished to talk over the
matter with them. they would be at
the court house this afternoon and
would discuss the franchise in what
ever aspect it was broached.
Mr.. Jessup as representative of Mr.
Ashe spoke on the franchise which the
commissioners had granted. He said
that it was identically the same in its
essential points. as that granted last
year by the commissioners to Mr.
Ashe to construct line into Boston
and Arlington townships, because it
was copied from this franchise. He
spoke in defense of it and said that it
was not crowded through. he having
given the commissioners notice on
Monday. In the communities which
the franchise affected. the residents
had been in full possession of the facts
for three years, he said.
Can Rescind Franchise.
"The county commissioners have the
right to rescind the franchise" said
Mr.. eJssup. Celebrating on this he said
that II the county commissioners were
not satisfied with the provisions of the
franchise Mr.. Ashe would withdraw
from the field, allowing some other in
dividual or corporation to carry out
the scheme
In answer to the objection made that
the franchise does not exhibit rates
which are to be charged. the attorney
said, True. it does not and con-
Cured with the committee that the
rates might be raised to enormous
amounts without the consumer having
redress by reason of protection from
the franchise. But. he said further, the
rates charged to consumers on the
Liberty line were less than that paid
in municipalities. Again illustrating
from the Liberty line he said that at
the present time those benefited were
pleased with it. There was one kick
made by an affected property owner at
the time the line was constructed, but
he said that this trouble had been sat
isfactorily adjusted
Buy From l., II. q p. Co.
Attorney Jessup said the PROPOSE
ton of Mr. Ashe does not affect the
city Of Richmond in the least. Mr..
Ashe purchases his power from the
Light, Heat and Power Company at
the city limits, paying the same rate
which is charged to large factories.
the amount being measured by meter
at the point where Mr.. Ashes line be-
gins The city plant could not sell
power to Mr.. Ashe because it was
operating to full capacity.
In the event the municipal research
committee feels that.it should ask the
commissioners to rescind this fran
c.lise. Mr.. Jessup said it would have to
be done within the next ninety days
and before any money had been ex-
pended by Mr. Ashe in carrying out
the terms of the. franchise. Mr.. Ashes
attorney said that this was the tightest
franchise ever granted by board of
county commissioners. and was as
tight as any which will be granted in
the future because grantees will not
accept less restrictive franchise when
dealing with such hazardous risks as
Mr. Jessup said, was that of his client.
Again, in defense Of the perpetual fea-
ture Mr.. Jessup said it was well known
there was no such thing as per-
petual franchise.
The attorney was interrupted ire