The Baraboo news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1884-1911, 1911-08-31

~, to erect new city street lighting
plant, or (2), to purchase, acquire and
take over the electric works Of the
present company, having the railroad
commission separate the plants, and
determine the compensation. The first
method, that's to construct municipal
street lighting plant was not deemed
advisable for the reason that the right
to do so is challenged in decision of
the circuit court now in the supreme
court on appeal by the city OF Chiffon,
wherein it was held by the circuit
Judge that city has no authority TO
even build and maintain it's own street
lighting plant, as being in conflict with
the provisions of the public utilities
law in permitting but one utility in
any municipality in the state. Further
% re, the question arose wbetf er 1t
would be advisable and profitable to
the city, even if authorized, to build a
street lighting plant only, without The
right TO do commercial business.
Accordingly, the council, by ordin-
ance, have authorized the taking over
and purchase of the electric WORKS of
the existing company, and having the
same separated from the gas works, and
have ordered that the question of such
purchase and taking over of such elec-
trio works be submitted TO a vote of
the people on Sep. 5, as well as whether
bonds not to exceed $45, 900 shall be is
sued to first purchase and acquire such
electric plant, and after wards to extend
and improve the same when owned
and controlled by that city.
In submitting the bond issue ques-
tion to the people, the council realize
that an clement Of uncertainty exists
as to the amount of bonds necessary
for the purchase anI separatio OF the
plant, but upon the figures we have
from the ex peIS engineers employed to
appraise the electric plant,iL is felt that
the amount proposed will be suffi-
cient to cover both the purchase
price and compensation, and the later
extensions and improvements of the
same. Let it be understood, however,
that the amount of compensation the
present company will be entitled to is
to be determined by the railroad COM
mission, but either party-the city or
the utility-claiming TO be aggrieved
by the ruling of the rate commission
may appeal therefrom to the courts.
Il the people vote 10 acquire the exist
ing electric plant and authorize the
bond issue, before such bonds are in
fact issued, it will be necessary under
a recent amendment of the law for the
city to bring an action in the circuit
court to determine the necessity OF
such purchase and acquisition, and
such action may be brought to trial
upon ten days notice by either party.
A jury shall determine such necessity,
unless the jury be waived, and after
such determination of necessity is
found by the court or jury, the city
may petition the railroad commission,
setting forth in detail the relief sought,
and thereupon the commission, after a
hearing, reports its determination
within q reasonable time. AS above
stated, such determination is subject
to appeal. If the people vote against
the bond issue and the acquisition of
such existing electric works, the ex-
listing utility may still be regulated in
a measure through the operation of
the public utilities law, as we'll as by
local ordinance. [ have given brief
outline of the procedure required, so
that the public may be possessed of
what information is at my command,
and thus be enabled to vote intelli-
gently on this question.
Another question of vital Importance
to the people is that of more equit-
able equalization of the taxes as be-
tween the city of Baraboo and the
other towns and villages and assess
N ent districts.
Still another question of Importance
is the improvement of the fire depart
ment. Baraboo has been very fortu-
nate for some time in having practi-
cally no fires causing heavy losses, but
il is apparent that the department
should be made more efficient by in
stalling more alarm boxes, or by adopt.
ing tie telephone alarm system
changing the tone and striking of the
present alarm bell, and securing more
; prompt supply of teams to draw the