The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-02-10
Executive Session.

EAeCUllNc SeSSlOus
Council held an executive session,
and then the newspaper men were in
vited in Council then determined its
course, and then Commission Spear
man was called in, and the matter
discussed with him. After council had
finally agreed as to its course Messrs.
Taylor and Milmow, the representa-
tives Of the Power company, were in
y1ted in, and were told of councils S
action. President Hunt came in to
the meeting, but Presidents Summer
and Wright did not attend.
Full Council Present.
There were present at the meeting
Mayor Langford, Alderman Earhardt,
Alderman Lominack, Alderman Sum-
mer, Alderman Rodelsperger and AID
erman Goree-a full council.
The Maximum Rate.
Mr.. Earhardt moved that a maxi
mum rate be required in the fran
ehise, said rate to be agreed upon by
Representatives of the company and
council. The motion was seconded by
MIR. Rodelsperger. Mr.. Earhardt ex-
plained his position. He said he was
mot wanting to stand in the way of
progress, and his desire was to do
that which was best for the city, as
he saw it. He said the members Of
council were present to represent the
city and not their Individual prefer
ences. He wanted to see the Power
company in Mulberry, but at the same
dime council ought to see that the
citizens and taxpayers were protect
cd. If the Power company were al
lowed to come in without maximum
rate, it would be only question of
time until they would garble up the
city plant, and then if there was no
maximum rate the city would be at
the compan!y's mercy.
Mr.. Earhardt's motion was carried
without dissenting vote, Aldermen
Earhardt, Lonlinack, Summer, Rod
elsperger and Goree voting in the af-
frmative.
For Arbitration.
Alderman Summer moved that in
ease the company wouldn't accept the
maximum rate proviso that a PROPOSE
tion be submitted to them for arbi-
tration at any time they might see fit
10 raise the price above the present
price, council to select one member
of the arbitration board, the company
to select one, and the two selected to
select the third. Alderman Lominack
seconded Alderman Summers motion,
but after discussion, the motion rest
ed on the minutes without being put
to a vote.
Alderman Earhardt said that he
stood fat-footed for maximum rate.
Alderman Summer suggested then
that in case the maximum rate pro-
viso should be turned down THAT they
give the franchise with IL le proviso
that the rates should never be placed
any higher than are fixed in cities Of
like size and similarly situated
CITY Attorney Blease said the fact
that this provision was in the Green
Vile franchise, and possibly in others,
night be the reason the company so
strenuously opposed maximum rate
here.
Wanted Them Here.
Alderman Lominack thought some
means ought to be devised to let the
company in.
Alderman Summer said he was un-
decided whether the arbitration clause
or the Greenville franchise clause
would be better Under the Greenvi!le
franchise clause Newberry would have
the help of other cities and towns in
this State.
Alderman Earhardt said that be-
cause Union, Chester and Greenville
had throvn no safeguards around the
franchise was no reason Newberry
should put itself in the power Of the
company.
City Attorney Blease was asked if
he had heard anything from any other
towns. He said the city attorney Of
Greenville had written him that the
company had not been operating in
that city long enough to determine
how the franchise would work, and
the city attorney of Chester had writ
ten him there had been no COM
plants.
Commissioner Spearman.
Alderman Earhardt asked Mr..
Spearman if. the whole thing were
thrown nm him IN decide. "WOuld YOU