The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-04-07
NEWPORT NEWS CONSIDERING
MATTER OFF MUNICIPAL
OWNERSHIP.
BAD SERVICE CA
COMMON COUNCIL VOTES UNANI-
MOusLY TO SUBMIT bond IS
SUE TO VOTE OF THE
PEOPLE.

NEWPORT NEWS. VA. April -
Municipal ownership of electric light
plants is the principal topic for dis
cussion In Newport News following
the action of the common council in
unanimously adopting an ordinance
directing Judge Barham I'd order an
election on q bond Issue of $4,000 for
the erection and installation OF mu-
niclpel electric light plant in this city
Many arguments pre- and con are
to be heard on street corners and
elsewher and the proposition had its
advocates and it's opponents Taken
as whole the sentiment OF the busi-
ness people on Washington avenue
seems to be against the bond issue
some of the merchants arguing that
the city Is not now in position TO
attempt a fight against the Citizens
Railway Light & Power Company.
The municipal electric light matter
probably will be taken up by the COM
mercial and business organizations of
the city within the next few days and
acted upon by them. 1t Is under stood
that the Retail Merchants Association
will take action at a meeting to be
held within the next few days and 1t
was reported last night that the propo-
sition also will be brought up at the
regular meeting Of the Chamber of
Commerce.
Some of the councilnen who voted
FOR the submission OF the question to
the people are not In favor of NUM-
cipai electric lighting plant because
they do not believe the citys finances
Justify embarkation on any such en-
terpfise. President Jones announced
Tuesday night that ne was opposed to
the bond Issue and will vote agains,
1t. Others of the councilmen have
made the same statements privately
har .ft In op1n fpxf
the plant and believe that the city
can operate 1t and make money on the
business
Consider Offer of Company.
| Many OF tho business men and some
OF the councilman believe that tho city
should consider the offer OF concas-
| sions by the Citizens Railway, Light
and Power Company before the bond
| Issue election is heidi The coma
| pany offers to a lower rate and arc
lighting and to install an up-to-date
system OF street lighting. 1t la under
| stood that the system contemplated liz
| of cluster post lights like that In
front of the office Of the company at
Washington Avenue and Thirty-first
street.
Besides these concessions the com
pany offers to consider the matter of
selling six tickets for Is cents, the
tickets to be sold by conductor and
TO be good anywhere on the cars of
eight the Citizens or Newport News
and Old Point companies,
Election Long Time on.
Should the board of aldermen pass
the municipal electric light measure
next Tuesday night. and present indi-
cations are that Il will, the election
probably will not he held under sixty
days from the time the measure Is
signed by Mayor Jones. Under the
act OF the last Legislature. only a ma
iortty Of the qualified voters OF the
city IL necessary To pass the bond is-
sue and only qualified voters can par
Gcipate in the election.
Councilman Christie said that even
IL the bond issue is voted tho city
does not have tc sell all Of the bonds
and does not have to spend AL of the
, money In plant. Experts will be
employed to come here and look over
the fed and make a tharnugh invest.
= CATION before the council authorizes
tho sale Of any Of the bonds, he said
And should the experts recommend
against tho establishment Of the plan
the city does not have to install o
plant according to Mr.. Christie.