The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-02-10


Mr.. Taylor said:
Power Company's Position.
"It is unnecessary for me to argue
it, I take it, because you. gentlemen
have made up your minds. 1 do not
mean this Extensively, because I do
not think it necessary. In the first
place, We do a very large business,
as you know. We have our lines COW
ering a distance Of 1900 miles, driving
100000 spindles. We are furnish
ing power to light fifty towns and cl-
ties in North Carolina. The legisla-
ture Of South Carolina has recently
passed an act giving the public SER
vice commission of South Carolina the
right to regulate our rates. We are
perfectly willing to live under them,
but if We had masters in every town,
each one fixing different rates, we
could not do it. 1t is out of the ques-
ton. That disposes of that.
Would Put Stations in City.
sAs to locating our sub-stations in
side your limits, if we are granted our
standard form of franchise, I say to
you we will do it. I say that in the
presence of witnesses, and say that IN
order that it may be an inducement
for you to grant us a franchise, so II
We were not to do it the franchise
would be null and void On account OF
fraud. And we are not going around
making fraudulent representations.
IF YOU gentlemen think We are that
type you ought not to grant us a
franchise under any circumstances.
Would Agree to Resale Clause.
Gas to that last clause, that is ao-
solutely unnecessary, because that Lies
within your power. No man can dis
tribute power for light and heat IN
this city without the consent OF this
town council. Then why put 1t IN our
contract, when it is within your pow
er? It doesn't do any good. II you.
will pardon ne for saying so, it IS a
vain thing to put IN.
The mayor explained that there was
o franchise outstanding.
Mr.. Taylor said if council wanted to
provide that his company should not
sell to the OWNERS OF that trancnlse'
that would be satisfactory.
But, said the mayor, they could sell
the franchise to same one else.
So far as that was concerned, SAID
MIR. Taylor, if that was the only did
ference he would waive that and con-
sent for it to so in.
Mayor Uangford told Mr.. Taylor
that he thought the whole council
wanted the Southern Power company
to come in and be welcome.
Newberry Attractive, But
"What I say is not said in narrow
picayunish spirit" said MIR. Taylor
"We would like very much to do ;busl-
ness in Newberry. It is a town that
we feel has prospects. We feel that
there is a future in front OF 1t. Bu1'
AZ much as we would like to come H.
we can't disturb the equilibrium OF
system like We hTe just for the pur-
nose of doing business in NeWberry. II
is a business proposition with US Out
and -out. The business that We pro-
pose doing in Newberry is not such
business, it seems to me, that the cl1y
council would concern itself with Sc
riouslv. We are limited to contracts
above 100 horsepower. When you oe-
Gin to make power in 100 horse quan-
titles steam is a live and active COM
netitor. and the men who take II IN
100 horsepower quantities are usual
" men of affairs who can take care
of themselves. But, over and ABOVE
and beyond all that, you have pup
lie service commission of experts TO
fix the rates if they become exorol-
liant. They never can become eXorD1-
tant because of the constant compeCl-
tion of steam, which is continually IN
creasine in efficiency year by year.
and so stands as a check to US II We
we're disposed to put up our prize
And so it seems to me-not arguing
the question with you, or begging you
to do otherwise-it is a question the
city would not seriously concern IL
self with, when there are all these
checks. If you gentlemen do not want
rs in town there are no hard teellngs'
We would be delighted to come mere.
Rut As attractive as NewberTy is, II
is not sufficiently attractive TOR us u
disrupt the equilibrium OF system
we have spent years and millions IN
hui1dine uD, and that clause "oulu