The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1911-03-23
COMMISSIONER FULLILOVE
Gives His Version of the Electric Light
Issue.
(To the Caucasian.(

|
Smith, wish to give my version of the
lmatter.
AS everyone knows, favor a nunicl-
pal plant and do not hesitate to say that
| if such a proposition is brought before
the people, | will vote for it, although
do not believe such a plant will be able
to furnish cheaper light than is now
proposed by the local company, for
some four or FIVE years-not until the
plant is in good working order.
But the contract offered gives lis
cheaper street lights and cheaper lights
for the small consumer than Dallas and
Fort Worth has, Or any city in this sec
ton of the country--in fact, there are
very few places in the United States
more fortunate in this respect. This
fact, together with the fast approaching
water problem, and, to my mind, the abb
solute necessity of municipal ownership
of this utility, which will entail a debt
of at least 100000, made me conclude
that the prices offered should be accept
ed Our critics fail to mention the
very considerable saving made by the
commissioners.
Under date of March 2T, the Caucas-
ian says: in brief, not only did the
Council disregard the agreement ell
tered into on March IS, but it has failed
in the common courtesy due the COM
1nittee of citizens, etc.
Now, let us see: This committee
composed of Mr.. Querbes, Mr. Gros-
jean and Mr.. Smith, together with three
members Of the Council, met the repre-
sentatives Of the light company and, as
the Caucasian says, after parley of
two hours and thirty minutes, during
which the subject of lighting, including
the cost, was threshed out to a frazzle,
the conference was adjourned to meet
on March Is, which the lighting com
pany'ss representatives declined to at
Itend, etc.
The committee, however, kept the ap-
pointment and during the course OF the
discussion Mr. Querbes stated that he
could not critieise the light company for
refusing any further conference with
the committee (and [ call Messrs. Gros-
jean and Smith as witnesses to this
statement), Mr.. Grosjean stated that he
believed the company had already given
as low rates as they would (and | call
Messrs. Queries and Smith as wit
nesses to this statement), and Mr.
Smith stated that they only wanted the
| lighting company to give fair rate
land I call Messrs. Querbes and Gros-
| Jean as witnesses to this statement)
Therefore it was left to the Council
I to either make up their minds to a mu-
nicipal Plant or to make other efforts to
get lower lights. | considered the COM
rnittee, which was organized to get fair
rates (Mr Smith, dissolved, when it
was concluded that the company would
not treat with it and had already given
| its lowest rate Mr.. Grosjean) by right
fully refusing Mr. Querbes) to further
Iconfer with them Now, should the
Council stop trying because this COM
tnittee has failed The Council thought
lotherwise and made final effort and
succeeded in getting big reduction.
| The city has been paying SIS for street
lights, and we get them for $62. so. The
small consumer gets a reduction from
loss to $50 The man who uses more
| than 900 XIV. is III a position to make
a special contract We would have been
lpieased with a reduction in his rates
land made determined fight for him, as
we'll as for the small consumer, but
were unable to obtain lower rate in
This case.
In addition to above, the city viii not
Ihave to pay for lighting the city hall
thus saving nearly $500 per year.
I am sorry If any one thinks that we
failed III courtesy to these gentlemen,
land do not hesitate to apologize for
lsame, but | was under the impression
THAT the committee, organized as if was
to get a better contract, was dissolved
when it passed resolution recommend
Iiag that the Council make further ir1ves-
litigation into the matter Of a municipal
plant. Mr. Eastman and Mr. McGul-
IIough SO understood also. We certainly
INTENDED no discourtesy
The Caucasian constantly refers to
fthe matter as the proposition Of the
lighting company This viii create .
wrong impression, for the proposition
was made By the commissioners and not
lM the company and neither Mr. Nc
Cullough nor any other member Of the
Council knew whether Of not if would
be accepted In fact We thought ths
lcofnpany would not accept.
/ / wish 70 repeat that the report Of the
JOINT committee. as understood BY tbs
Ifhree. commissioners who signed it was
intended to eutlille d course Of actor
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