Devils Lake weekly world., 1911-09-22

on record Tuesday night in taking it's
first step toward mctropolitanism which
has as its goal the establishment of a
municipal light plant in Devils Lake.
While it has been the clamor Of the
people Of Devils Lake for some time to
have the light rates regulated SO that
light could be secured on a reasonable
basis, tho city council has deemed it
advisable to show all fairness in the
matter and have extended an invcstiga-
tion by special committees for the past
two months, the result being that the
step taken last night was only after
due consideration, the failure Of A. B.
Kcrln of the Devils Lake Improvement
company and his refusal to meet the
rates prescribed by the special commit
tee, making the recommendation for the
establishment of a municipal plant in
this city the paramount issue on which
the citizens will be privileged to vote.
The closcncss of the vote on the prop
osition, which made it necessary for
Mayor McClory to cast the deciding
ballot, gives the people, the consumers
Of light, an opportunity to say whether
they shall have cheaper light, and May
or McClory's decision in behalf of the
people, who will be given an opportun-
ity to say yes or no at a special elec-
ton which is not far distant, has been
the subject of much comment today
and nothing but praise is in store for
the Devils Lake mayor for his frM
stand in behalf of the people,
| Was Well Posted.
Mayor McClory did not enter into
the matter which was decided by his
vote without due deliberation, as was
shown by several remarks which he
made during the progress of the dis
cussion, his figures and facts with ref
crence to the operation of electric
light plants showing that he had thor
oughly investigated and knew what he
was talking about, and there was little
chance for argument after he had con-
cludcd his remarks. the head of the
Devils Lake plant himself being stun.
ned by the thoroughncss which was cx.
hibitcd by Mayor McClory.
Competent Engineer.
TO he better informed on the. step ii
was taking, the city council used
every possible means that could be put
at its disposal to know what it was
doing and engaged Engineer Sykes OF
Minneapolis who came highly recon-
mended to Devils Lake, and despite
the fact that Mr. Kerlin, who feared
the truth, produced letter that was
little short of the anonymous sort ir
that Mr. Kerlin failed to tell who
wrote it, Mr.. Sykes before he concluded
his talk, which had in it every iota OF
fairness, showed Mr.. Kerlin that wha>
the Devils Lake Improvement mar
termed "hot air. was only secured af
Mr.. Sykes willingly answered all ques
tions in complimentary manner, de
spite the constant interruptions of Mr.
Kerlin, which Interruptions for time
looked as though they were made fo
the purpose of keeping the council ou
of hearing distance of the facts, ant
as one alderman said, "the fellow VIII,
knows the truth and talks about it il
usually termed hot air artist, - MI
Keri;;s's term, with reference to MI
Sykes.
How It Started.
The evenings excitement, which wa
wholly unexpected, started when mo
tion was made referring to forme
report made by the special investigat
ing committee. The motion came afte
the council had disposed of numbe
of routine matters. The attendance il
the visitor s room of the council cham
bcrs was large and citizens generall
interested in the securing of cheape
lights were on hand to learn if actio
was to be taken in their behalf. It
needless to say that those in attend
ance stuck it out until the late hou
for adjourning arrived, for it was NJ
parent that the committees in charg
had left no stone unturned in securin
a knowledge of electricity.
The Report.
With the withdrawal of the repo1
of the first committee Alderman Ohr
stad fathercd the new report, which h
submitted to the effect that the con
mittee had agreed on rates, in sui
stancc-that the maximum rate for tn
first iftytwo hour service was to b
!, 10 cents per kilowat hour, all afte
! fifty-two hours FIVE cents per kilows
! hour Powre for the first 200 kilowa,
hours was submitted at 6 cents pt
kilowat hour and all over 200 hours
e cents. The street lighting was regula
S ed at $500 per mont per arc light {
). its equivalent, and one dollar for eae
thirty.two candle power incandescel