The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1911-03-21

ing--A Protest by Citizens Committee.
Next to wholesome water light is one
Of the necessities which contribute to
the welfare of the community. 1t may
be of gas and of electricity OF both, but
in obtaining light the cost is the prob
lem
As a rule. with no known exceptions,
lighting companies have contended that
it was not possible for them to furnish
lights at lower rates than have been
fixed by their schedule. which on being
disputed has led hundreds of municipal
tiles to own and operate their own light
ing plant with satisfaction and profit.
The lighting question has been more
or less active in Shreveport for years,
but when the city requested bids for
lighting, citizens as consumers being in
terested in light, got together and dis
russed the issue,
At one time there had been named
from the Chamber of Commerce a COM
mittee to ascertain the cost and opera
ton of Il municipal plant, as we'll as to
secure il possible more favorable rates
from the lighting plant. but after sew
eral sittings this committee developed
practically no results, at least satisfae-
tory, either to themselves OF the people
However. when number of Fight
consumers met IL was determined to i'm
press OH the City Council that no con
tract should be let except on lower rates
being obtained, and that the contract
should not exceed more than one year,
al il was the purpose of these citizens to
obtain from reliable sources all infor-
nation on the cost of a municipal plant,
As representatives of the citizens
there appeared at a meeting of the City
Council called by request on March 3,
A. Qierbes, Leon r. Smith. James
Noel w w Wafing, W X. Hender-
son, Y tsrosjean, l. M Howard, c. +.
Perroneel. II. Eiunsicker and Paul Low
enthal. besides others, all consumers Of
light
!, AT this Council meeting were Mayor
Eastman, Commissioners Atkins, Full
love, Mccullough and Rives.
The side Of the people was presented
by MIR. Queries, Mr.. Smith and Mr..
Grosiean. On the motion of Commits
sioner Rives there was named a COM
mittec comprising Mayor Eastman and
Commissioners Mccullough and Fulli
love and A. Querbes, Leon r. Smith and
". Grosjean, who were authorized to sit
| in conference with the representatives
of the lighting company
At their first meeting the issue was
submitted without evasion by the elti-
zens committee, who presented facts to
sustain theif contentious, to which, how
evcrfi the representatives of the lighting
company did not agree.
After parley Of two hours and thirty
minutes. during which the subject ol
lighting and its cost, including the cost
was threshed out to a fraazle, the
conference was adjourned to trreet
on March IS, which the lighting com
panys representatives declined to at.
ltend, stating in substance in a letter te
the Mayor that The company had already
Submitted bids to the properly consti.
ltuted authority of the city, and that they
believed nothing could be accomplished
by such conference.
However and notwithstanding tht
citizens committee kept their appoint.
lment, and ut 4 pm Wednesday, Marcf
LIS. were in conference with Mayor East
Mccullough.
The subject Of lighting, of municipal
ownership Of an electric light plant
Its cost and operation was dis
cussed, and all matters having a bear
ing on the issue, when the conference
Iagreed unanimously TO report, a cop,
Iof which is presented in the protest o
IIile NpiIIltllAtSNi
| With the adpotion Of this report, j
! was conjectufed that the lighting issu
would be permitted to assume con
! servative course, but great was the sur
lprise when the action Of the Council, il
one of its every morning sittings, ol
| Marcll 40 reached compromise witt
1.-THE lighting company which as give
publicity Is as follows;
THE COMMISSIONERS PROPOSE
TION.
Shreveport Gas, Electric Light an
!, Power Company. Shreveport-Gentle
linen. In view of the disturbed eonditio
Of the citizens over the lighting ques
, lion. We think Ii to the best interest 9
, Ian concerned that this matter be speed
lily disposed of.
Therefore we make you the followin
proposition. That you furnish to privai
: consumers light at SI-2e net and stret
| lights at S6a.so per lamp per year, an
Ia f.4.4.s3t, lo4tv.1st.t a., f4tt.t hall free