The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-08-18
introduced by Judge Beers For
Purpose of Illuminating
Council Committee
SUBJECT MORE ILLUMINATING
THAN EXPERTS KNOWLEDGE
Lynn w. Wilson's Questions
Put Expert in Sorry Plight
Paid by Electric Monopoly
to Advise City Fathers of the
Dangers That Will Occur if
the People Own the Lighting
Plant

There was a lively time in City
Hall, last night, when Lynn w. Will
son and Judge A. B. Beers clashed
over the projected establishment of g
municipal lighting plant. The hearing
was before the committee on Miscel-
laneous affairs, which met in the Of
flee of the City Clerk, and Assistant
Clerk William F. Russell sat with the
members of the committee who were
Alderman GeErity, Farrell, Moran
Meyer and Stewart
The discussion hinged upon the res
olution that the city establish a
lighting plant. 1t was not a hearing
but the committee had invited Judge
Beers and Mr.. Wilson to be present
to advise the committee. An invita-
ton had also been extended to An
drew M. Cooper of the Howland Co..
but he was unable to be present be-
cause of an earlier engagement
Judge Beers. who is an officer of
the United Illuminating Co., which
enjoys the local monopoly, was ac-
eonpanied by an expert named Hill
man, who read long paper, and
concluded by advising that ''it would
be a great mistake for the people of
Bridgeport even to agitate the Ques-
ton Of municipal ownership of electric
light works.
He was promptly grilled by Mr..
Wilson, who asked him if he was a
resident of Bridgeport, where he liv-
ed, how long he had been an expert,
and if he was paid to advise the
people of Bridgeport that it would be
a mistaken to "even talk about muni-
cipal ownership
Mr.. Hilman replied that he had
been in business as an expert eight
months, that he lived in New Haven,
and that he was to receive compensa-
ton from the United Illuminating
Co.
For the purpose of testing Mr.. Hill
mans capacity as an expert Mr.. Will
dividend paid on the stock of an cleo
trio light company as profit.
Hilman hesitated a moment and re-
piled: Il should like to take time to
think over that question:"
Wilson remarked dryly, to the COM
mittee: Il think you have the measure
of this gentleman's value as an ad-
wiser to the committee. He says that
upon his advice the people of Bridge
port ought not even to talk about
municipal ownership, and when we
ask him if a dividende on the stock
of lighting company is a profit he
says he wants time to think it over
Its unfair of my friend Wilson to
ask such a question:" protested Judge
Beers. Mr.. Hilman is an electrical
expert, and Mr.. Wilson has asked him
a financial question"
Judge Beers. warming up to his
subject, removed his coat, and for
half an hour in his best style gave
the committee reasons why they
should not give the people of Bridge
port an opportunity to vote upon the
ownership of a lighting plant. He
declared that no reasons had been
offered to show how a lighting plant
would benefit the city.
Mr.. Wilson replied that the chief
reason all over the civilized world for
getting rid of private monopoly of
public utilities was that the owners
OF these utilities were constantly en-
ploy1ng men to tamper with the gov
ernment, that the people must get
rid of them or have a constant fight
For six years." he said, I'VE have
fought for an act to enable us to vote
whether We want to own a water
works. We haven't been able to get
an act that will work. Why? Because
the agents of public service have pre-
vented by interfering with the gov
ernment
There are men right in this city
concerned In these enterprises who
maintain stables of lobbyists, legisla-
1--WE agents ana corporation lawyers,
the same as they maintain stables for
horses and automobiles. They use
the capitol as a garage. Everybody
knows that these services maintain
men at the Capitol to fight legisla-
ton desired by the people, that their
fingers are in every part of the gov
ernmental pie and that their existence
in a Democratic community is dan
gerous to free government"
Municipal ownership of electric
light, Mr.. Wilson said would extend
the use into every home within a few
years, would increase manufactures
and bring to every family the advan-
tage Of this modern labor saving
agent at low cost
1t would also make competition
with gas, which generally did not ex-
lst where gas and electric light COM
panies were in private hands.
Alderman Farrell asked a number
of pertinent questions. to one of
which Mr.. Wilson responded that the
facing the committee is
not whether the city will own mum
icipale lighting plant, but whether they
want the city to embark in such an
Nothing can be done unless two
thirds of the council votes in favor of
the projects this year. Then two
thirds of the council must do the
same next year. And then the peo-
pie may vote.
Judge Beers remarked that the peo-
pie of Bridgeport once refused to vote
IL