The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1911-09-19
Official Journal of Caddo Parish.
COMMISSIONER FULLLOVE'S
STAND

AMI.
In communication published in
the Times Monday, the position of
Commissioner Fullilove on munich
pal ownership is made plain.
Without equivocation he declares:
1T seems to me that the time has
come for our people to undertake
this work which will go far towards
doing away with the hold that Spe-
cial Interest and Big Business has
on our people. | stand for munich
pal ownership Of both the electric
light and waterworks plants right
now, and believe the greatest enemy
to the propositions is the man who
would delay action, although he is
seldom conscious of the fact that he
can be SO classed.'
And since the time has come for
our people to undertake this work, !"
why is the opposition as ardent and
as persistent as it is? 1t would seem
that this opposition to the municipal
ownership and operation of an cleo
iris light plant is dictated by a
selfish interest, which is being en-
couraged by the friends of the light
ing company.
In his statement of his position, in
referring to the Times, Commission
er Fullilove says:
You made several statements in
your editorial which are not fair in
ferences from anything which has
been done by the councilmen. To
say that the election was 'arbitrar
lily called is absolutely wrong. When
the bid of the local company was
first opened, moved in council that
a bond issue be called for to acquire
our own plant. No one seconded the
motion, and it was therefore lost"
This is significant and is subject
to the Interpretation of every intel
ligent citizen. No one. seconded the
motion, and it was therefore lost
But as explains Commissioner.
Fullilove, from that time to this
have worked for the submission of
this measure. favored, and do
favor, the contract proposed, pro-
yided the city will not vote bonds to
acquire its own plant. But | believe
they will vote these bonds. believe
all sincere advocates of municipal
ownership should get together and
fight for this measure. and | believe
the record of the Times justifies me
in expecting its hearty support OF
the proposition. | wish to say right
low that the ordinance was drafted
and introduced by me and is the re-
suit of my earnest work of several
months. If II is untimely, or unwise,
or a piece of political strategy, it
should be charged to my zeal for
what believe would result in inn
proved conditions, and not be
charged to some covert motive Of
the other c0uncilmen."
Before Commissioner Fullilove had
proclaimed his position as he has,
the Caucasian was inclined to advo-
cate the defeat of the bond issue,
and had so informed the Municipal
Ownership League, not for the rea-
son that it is opposed TO the bond
issue, but it had been urging theI
policy of combining the contest for
the requirement Of the electric light
plant and the waterworks into sin
gle issue.
The reason for this attitude is OBJ
vi0us. II was to meet, If possible,
the flilnsy and nntenable simulations
Of the electric light interests who
would sidetrack, If they can, the
favorable consideration of the mu-
nieipal electric light plant with the
plea for water.
The water works issue is not now
before the people, but it is the cleo
tric light which is to be met as pre-
sented and as the electric light is the
issue, it is accepted by the Caucasian
who will and is now advocating the
endorsement Of the bond issue now
pending for approval by the taxpay-
els for the requirement of munich
pal electric light plant.
But this query may be pertinent,
at least ii is to be hoped it will not
be considered impertinent:
Where stand the Mayor and the
other commissioners? With COM
missioner Fnlliloye2 If not, why
not?