The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1911-03-02

the present administration of govern
nent by commission, is plain and car
not be evaded.
1t is self-evident that the great bod.
of the people, especially the consumers
are restive and are seeking some relief
from the domination of unreasonable
corporations
In the past, whenever a corporation
has sought privileges, there was the
ready giving away of the peoples sub
stance for, in comparative sense, :
song.
1t may be recalled that about five
years ago, when Andrew Queries was
Mayor of Shreveport, the rates for
lighting, then exorbitant, were reduced
to the schedule which is in force today
This reduction was not secured until
after a lively contest, in which the Cau-
casian, alone Of the local press, con-
tributed full share of its influence to
the obtaining of the lower rates.
We repeat what has been said fire.
quently, that corporation is not. blame
able in its endeavors to get and to hold
the highest rates possible for its serv-
ices, but it is no less the duty of the
representatives of the people to protect
the city and the people from rates which
are unreasonable or exorbitant
There are influential citizens in
Shreveport, for the present limited in
number, who have been making a study
of electric lighting with the view Of
having operated a municipal electric
light plant, whose estimates are subject
to verihcation, but when verified will
prove to be approximately correct. From
these estimates and the information at
hand a municipal lighting plant can be
operated to the greatest advantage to
the city and the consumers who could
secure good service at about the cost of
production, from 7 to 8 cents per XIV.
In opposition is the electric light COM
pany, whose representatives assert that
it is not possible to produce light for
less than it has been offered the city and
the consumers.
For instance: On Tuesday, February
IA, in answer to invitations for bids by
the city, the Shreveport Electric Light
Conpany's bid was for street lighting
for one or four years SIS per year per
lamp; the rate for consumers being I'M
changed
At this meeting Commissioner Full
love moved that the Commissioner of
Public Utilities, John Mccullough, be
requested to have prepared an ordinance
providing for an election at which to
vote an issue of bonds for the purpose
of the city acquiring an electric light
plant to be operated by the city.
There was no second to this motion,
and therefore it failed fiat
It has been explained that the COM
1nissioners did not wish to become en-
tangled in such an issue for the reason
resources for the requirement of the
waterworks at the expiration of its
charter about FIVE years hence, when
possibly not one of the commission now
in authority may be in the public serv-
ice.
Following the motion of Commission
er Fullilove, which failed of considera-
ton, Commissioner Mccullough moved
that bids for lighting be invited for a
term of six and ten years. Accordingly,
on the date fixed which was Tuesday,
the Shreveport Gas, Electric Light and
Power Company submitted their bids
in substance as follows:
Street lights, 10 years, S63 per light
per annum.
Street lights, 6 years, $68 per light
per annum.
The rate for consumers is practically
as now, the basis of reduction being
about IS cents on an account of $40 for
electric. service, and yet the Journal and
the Times are praiseful of the profered
generosity of this corporation.
It has been explained to the Caucas-
| ian. by one of the commissioners, that
the representative of the Electric Light
Company has declared that It is not pos
sible to offer better rates, and that such
rates are in force in other towns and
cities besides Shreveport.
| This, however. is subject for tllt
Mayor and the Commissioners who can
iif they will, obtain the same inforna-
/ ton as to rates and as TO costs that is
within the reach of the Caucasian anc
other citizens having no personal or dI
rect interest in the electric light plant
/ We would suggest that if we were thu
i Electric Light Company we would Ger
Itainiy strive to get all we could from tht
CITY and the consumers, especially wi1eI
| there is no opposition plant to compete
| but if we were the Mayor and tn
i Council. we would stand squarely AM
i unfalteringIy for the city and the con
II sinners and would say to the Electrl
ii Light Company that we could not enter
, 49,. aT1t