The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-01-27
CONSIDER FRANCHISE
SOUTHERN POWER CO.
CONTINUED from page one).

in the most minor particular. Council
ought also to take into consideration
the fact, he said, that We had a light
ing plant here OF our own. He Stress
cd the fact that in his opinion maxi
mum rate which the company could
snarge for power should be fixed, and
also called attention to the fact that,
although it was stated by the COM
panys representative that it was not
the purpose Of the company to COM
pete with the city lighting plant, that
under the franchise which was pro-
posed it could sell power to some
other corporation or persons who
could compete with the city plant.
There ought to be a provision in the
franchise, he thought stating definite
" that the Southern Power company
would be- subject to license to be fix
ed yearly by the council, so there
could be no question hereafter as to
the authority to fix such a license.
He further suggested to council that
before granting the franchise it ought
to inquire into the company's method
of doing business in the towns which
have granted franchises, and ought to
investigate the franchises OF other
towns and see if the franchise propos-
ed here was as favorable to the town
as that accepted from other towns.
Council also ought to inquire, he sug-
gested, into the reasons actuating the
city of Columbia in refusing to grant a
similar franchise, and if it was true
that some of the towns which had al
lowed the Southern Power company to
come in we're dissatisfied, as he had
understood they we're, and if so what
was the cause therefor.
Mr.. Blease said the power company
had proposed a contract with the city
for five years only, and yet wanted a
franchise for the town for sixty years.
At the end of five years, he said, the
company could refuse to renew the
contract which it proposed with the
city.
Mr.. M;llmore stated that he would
make this proposed contract ten years.
if it was desired.
City Attorney Blease concluded by
recommending to council that it ap-
point q committee to examine careful
~ into the matter and to report back
to council if it was advisable to allow
the Southern Power company to enter
here at all, and if so if the terms OF
the franchise proposed we're feasible.
The franchise had been drawn by the
Southern Power company, he said, to
protect the company, Of course, by at
torneys thoroughly familiar with mat
ters cf that kind, and be thought it
would be wrong for council in a few
hours to adopt an ordinance for q
large corporation, drawn especially
for its Interests.
Alderman Summer favored protect
ing the city in the matter of competi-
ton, but seemed very favorably dis
posed towards the franchise:
To Investigate Natter.
Alderman Jno W. Earhardt moved
that a committee consisting of the
mayor and two aldermen be appoint
ed to consider the matter with the
town attorney and to report to coun-
Gil at a meeting to be held two weeks
later.
The motion was adopted, the vote
being as follows:
Aye-Aldermen Earhardt, Lomin-
ack, Rodelsperger, Goroe.
Nay-Alderman Summer.
The mayor being named as mem
Der of the committee by the motion, he
appointed Aldermen Earhardt and
Summer as the two other members.
Proposed Franchise,
An ordinance and resolution grant
ing permission unto the Southern
Power company to construct and
maintain it's lines for the transmission
of electricity along, over and under
the highways of the town Of NeWberry
county of Newberry, State of South
Carolina, and to construct and carry
on within said town Of Newberry the
business authorized by and under the
terms Of the charter Of said Southern
Power company.
Section !. pe it ordained and resoiv-
ed by the mayor and the board Of aid
erMen Of the town Of NeWberrE, in
the comfy OF New5crry, State CT South
Carolina, that assent and permission
be, and the same is hereb: given and