The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1911-03-23
COMMISSIONER FuLLILONES
VERSION OF THE ELECTRIC
LIGHT. CONTRACT

"a
sioner Fullilove in which he presents his |
version Of the proposed electric light
contract controversy
In the expression Of their views,
which were unreserved, by the three
gentlemen named to represent the citi-
gems or the people il was assumed that
whatever was said was not necessarily
for publication in detail, and the con
clusions Of 4 lengthy deliberation were
embraced in the report which, as an
agreement, was signed by the three rep
resentatives of the city. j. II. Eastman
Mayor. and Commissioners Fullilose
and Mccullough, and the three citizens
already named, which has received the
widest publicity
Ii Is very true that Mr.. Queries did
state. ii conference, that he could not
criticise the light company Tor declir-
inn any further conference with the
committee, 70 which his two confrefes
agreed, and while regrettihg the absence
81 tile representatives of the lighting
company. the committee Of citizens sig-
gested that the conference could proceed
without them
ii ii also true that Mr.. Grosjean did
state, in conference Is his individual
opinion, that lie did not believe the
lighting company would recede from its
position. especially since il had been
advised TO stand firm on its original
rate. He emphasized that the Commits
sions duty was to stand BY the eonseni-
ers who needed protection, and while
being fair to the corporation, if there
Was ever d doubt, or If there was to be.
any leaning OF preference, all things be-
inp equal. the leaning should be towards
sIse consumers. Il was then that he adj
gisesl chat contract be made with The
lighting company Tor one year, At pres
estt rates that III expert engineer be
employed Is ascertain the exact cost OF
establishing and operating an electric
light plant, and that The city should pay
the engineer 10 employed, as the benefit
sought 10 Be obtained was for the gen
erai public interest
And Il vas also true that Mr.. Smith
did say III conference that all VIC want
"a from the lighting company was q far
rate for the city, and especially the con-
suiners fair rates being estimated at
500 per arc lamp. cents for users ct
light Of less Than 900 XIV. per month,
and y 81 go cents for users Of more
than soo XIV per month.
Ii was after d free discussion Of the
question, during which the comparative
roa of lighting, ii Tor instance Jack
sofyilIe, Fla, and other towns Of about
The size Of Shreveport, were eontrasted
viii lie statement Of the lighting com
parry that the report signed BY the joint
COMMITTEES, three couliciifneil and three
REPRESENTATIVES of the consumers, was
agreea III
III any contract could be binding, the
contract Or report as signed jointly by
Tie committee should have been binding
ind sustained.
ITS purpose was Il limit the contract
with he lighting company % one year,
instead III Xix BIZ ten years, and
First employ an expert to investigate
and report On the following PROPOSE
tien siz
The cost and operation Of q plant
capacity sufficient e light the city
streets
The cost and operation Of q plant
iii capacity sufficient to d. both the
eitg and commercial lighting
seond, Treat with the Shreveport
Cas- Electric Light aud Power Company
With view ia purchase their light
plant
There was t0 have been 10 haste "a
the matter, Is the present contract ex-
pifes h June. and f was understood
shak L. 81 tie report 81 the electrical
engineer. il was demonstrated that .
municipal plant would be utpfoffabls
and that the rates 81 tie lighting COM
pany uefe fir that there would Be Of.
fered no further opposition Il 4 con-
tract with the lighting company.
Il Judge Ftliiiioye individually, We
would say unrcservedls that We enter
tain Iof him the wa1nest friendship and
esteem hun IS good eitizsti and as
renslslnan ID tie fullest meaning 81 thy
term but ii this instance BE- If within
the scope al official criticism rs should
hass remembered tfislt the committee 9
Nllieh he is part has nei been DIS.
solved sinee jointly tiey are Card AsefsA
expected Il carry into effect g tar 8
possible the specifications iil thr feporl
anttac A contract Is I eoiltfaet
had been determined g 8