Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1911-10-21
LAST nights
MASS Meeting
ENTHUSIASTIC
MANY SPEAKERS we're HEARD.
Harris Is Sixth Entrant In
AldGFmdniC Race

With an even larger attendance than
that present en- Wednesday night the
mass meeting at the Armory Hall last
night brought out another representa-
tive number of citizens, who discussed
the issues involved in the coming city
primary. Much enthusiasm was man.
ifested, and many speakers were heard
during the evening.
Among those who addressed the
meeting were Messrs. J. E. Sheppard,
j. e. D. shipp, Hollis Fort, Frank Shelf
field, Lee Allen and Mayor Mathis. The
excellent attention and frequent ap-
plause given the speakers showed the
interest felt by those who made up the
audience.
4 believe the fight has already been
won" said Mr. J. E. Sheppard, but it
is necessary for every citizen who ia
yors the principles Of city control and
self government to vote his convictions
at the primary next Thursday. If this
is done, victory is ours and all will 3e
we'll"
After paying tribute to City Engi-
neer Ansley and Alderman Lee Allen
for their uniform fairness and open
ness in the advocacy of the best inter
ests Of the city, Mayor Mathis said:
The city Engineer is authority for the
statement that the rate offered in the
proposed contract is not cheaper than
the city can pump its own water with
the new equipment it is now installing.
Even if it We're | had rather do busi-
ness with people | know rather than
those you can never put your finger on,
and | don't believe the people of Amer
icus are going to do business with
them any more"
II have always been in favor of mu-
nicipal ownership, said Mr.. Frank
Sheffield. "If 1 can help in the fight
that believe must surely win, | think
| can feel that l have done some good
in my life. AS to the plant which Mr..
Frank Lanier and myself have plan
ded. hope the building of it won't be
l hope the city will build
it's own plant. Whatever 1 should do
toward the building of an electric
light plant would be toward the end
that the city should own it, and |
would rather in that case that every
citizen in Americus owned some stock
in it, even if it were necessary to make
the shares only a dollar each"
Not only has corporation taken
over our electric light plant" said Mr..
J. E. D. Shipp, "but they now want to
take over our waterworks system, al
so. l am opposed to the principle OF
ownership of municipal
property If a corporation can make
money out of it, the city can do it. And
l want to see the city of Americus own
both it's waterworks and its electric
light plant and make money out Of
them"
The questions We are considering
involve the simplest principles OF po-
litical economy, said Mr.. Hollis Fort
in which Mr.. Mathis, our mayor, IS
better versed than any man OF my ac-
Guaintance. 1t is cheaper and better
for the city to own and operate its
own public utilities. That's what
Americus needs to do. 1t cost Macon
$3.50, 900 to get back it's waterworks not
long ago. which it had given away 10
9 corporation"
Alderman Lee Allen said in his talk
"They tell us this electrical pump
will cost only $500, but our city en-
gineer tells us it will cost $4,000 70
install it. Then the matter won't De
settled, because there will be contln-
ual fight from year to year. What Ihe
people of Amcricus want is to own anu
operate cheaply and effectively thelI
own waterworks and other pubic utll'
tiles. This campaign is 10 ueclue
whether they will keep and MAINTAIN
their waterworks system. II you elec'
this ticket, we will see that your water
works are kept safe for you
The sixth entry in the aldermani'
race was announced last nlghI "no'
Mr. ]. w. Harris announced his can
didacy, subject to the democTatc pr
mary next Thursday. Mr. FialIiS
name will now be associated with thoS
of Messrs. Allen, Bell, Bolton, Brow
and Poole, who have already ehteie'
tn? race.