Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-03-16
And Still The Rates Are T 90 High

fair and remunerative and while Cedar
Rapids is larger city it is no denser
in, population than Marshalltown. II
consumes no more gas per- mile OF
street mains and its cost Of producing
gas must be very nearly the same. If
we are to make fight for low rates
on gas let's make one for the lowest
Let's have 90-cent gas and have the
| fight over with for the next ten years
For Piercs's Benefit.
Mr.. F. G. Pierce, of municipal owner
| ship fame, wants to know whether the
Times-Republican has an alternative
to propose for~t1e plans that have been
presented. He can find it in the above
Skin the Darling Rates.
Messrs. Hull and Herman and Nc
Carten and Gregory have this in their
favor and it is freely conceded to them
by the Times-Republican. Their rates
are lower than the Darling rates, the
lowest yet proposed. Their 81 gas
comes in nine months instead of five
years. Their maximum light rate is
10 per cent better than Darling's and
their medium light rate would apply
to many more consumers than would
the same rate on the Darling schedule.
Their power rate, too is a better rate
for the average Marshalhown con-
sumner while, perhaps. not so good as
his to some large factories. And when
they are backing into a law suit they
can not be blamed for playing safe. The
T.-R. WOULD not have anybody criticise
or censure these men but the T.-R.
wants lower rates still.
The Mayor Disclosed.
The mayor, however and his city
attorney, have shown their hands
plainly If the mayor was making a
sincere effort to get concession Of
low rates out of Jones & Hovey he
would welcome the cooperation Of the
council. He could then go to Jones &
Hovey and say. See what sticks the
council has cut for your back. You bet
ter come across now and be good" But
no. He Sneers at the councilmen, three
of whom went on to the council as his
friends, on his ticket. and who have
been driven away from him because he
is determined that no member of his
city council shall start any legislation
without his consent, or even have
mind of his own. He wants men to sac
rifice their self respect and sit before
this community is wooden men while
he votes their votes or dictates what
measures shall come to vote.
Likewise his, city attorney, who
ought to be helping the city council
to regulate rates, sits in council meet
ing and tells them that this city coun-
ell is barred from fixing a rate on
electric lighting because some other
city council ten years ago agreed to
rate He knows that this is not law but
he would trip the councilmen whom he
ought to serve.
1t is the same with other council
men who are sworn to save money for
the city where they can. They have
agreed to pay $500 to one lawyer and
$500 to another and s25 per day for all
work out of town and yet when
majority of the council obtains con-
sent of two good lawyers to do this
same work free of charge a minority
objects They are content to hire the
gas company's attorney to fight the
gas company and they see no harm in
one year and a half Of wasted time
with nothing done.
Do they want lower rates?
Does the mayor want lower rates:
Or does he simply want to run the
council?
If they do want lower rates they
take an awful long time going about
il.