The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1911-10-19
THE SIX YEARS CONTRACT
Some Reasons Why Ii Should BE
DisapprOved and Defeated.

At the election tomorrow, Friday
October 20, there will be submitted
TO the citizens Of Shreveport quail
lied to vote, as at a general election
the resolution adopted by the City
Council August II, 1911, authorizing
the Mayor to execute a six years
contract with the Shreveport Gas
Electric Light and Power Company
for street lighting.
This election is made possible un-
der the provisions Of the system Of
government by commission, which
gives authority to the people to ap-
Ipeal from the City Council through
the referendum.
II it We're not for the referendum,
the people would be pOwerless in
their remOnstrance and in checking
undesirable legislation.
1t may be recalled that under the
ole system corporations could and
did obtain with little exertion what
ever they wanted, but now the ref
erendum is the all powerful weapon
which may be applied successfully
in thWarting the unfair demands of
any corporation or of any individ-
ual who may be seeking special
privileges to the detrimenl of the
masses.
The election fixed for tomorrow
should have been held soon after
the protests Of the citizens had been
submitted to the Council, but it was
sidetracked for reasons too plain to-
be discussed or considered.
The six years contract as endorsed
by the Mayor and the commissioners
as being the best for. the people and
would have TO be accepted. but the
great majority of the qualified yot-
ers do not share in this view as viii
be demonstrated at the election to-
1t is not the purpose al this time
TO criticise the Council. but to indi-
cate why the six years contract
should be defeated.
In this contract which has been
approved by the Goun-
Gil, il is written that at the expira-
ton of this contract the city may,
il il sees fit, purchase at appraisal
value, this special street lighting
system, with the exception of the
poles and crossarms: this proyid- |
ing, however, the city has acquired |
its own waterworks.
Why this stipulation of water
works? Is it intended to Use the
Dretense of waterworks six years
hence as it was in Tuesdays cleo
ion to detract and to mislead from
he issue, which was and is and will
continue TO be a municipal lighting
1lant, until ii is settled by lis own
arship BY the city.
1t has been attempted to explain
hat this reference to water is of no
If this be true, why
vas it and why is it inserted in the
1t is stipulated that the city shall
ikewise have the right to use the
POLES and cross-arms of the COM
,any for street lighting only. on
payment of an annual rental to be
greed upon by the same experts as
The intent of the word only is
cry eyident-for slret lighting on
y. and not for any consumers of
light who would seek the service of
he municipal lighting plant.
To say the least, this part of the
ontract is a reflection of discredit
u the intelligence of this commun-
~, and it would seem Incredible
hat it has been entertained by the
,ouncil +
OF what use would be the gener- p
ting power or any part of the plant
Without the poles and The cross L
rms upon which the wires are
trung? II
The stipulation is that the city
lay purchase at its appraisal value
his special street lighting system,
ut there is not a word Of reference
$ to the electric lighting company
in business and supply
rs consumers indefinitely
What advantage or benefits would
nc city derive by acquiring a part
f the plant, already i'll use for
ears. exclusive of the poles and
rossafms. and which in six years :
lay>be out of date or worn out?
Whenever the city acquires All
lectrie light plant it must and
hould be one equipped with all the
p-to-date requirements covering I
very department Of the plant. And .
u the further reason that the city. #
'henever it be ready to acquire and
rerate its own electric plant II