The Calumet news., 1912-08-22
CLAIMS RATES
ARE EXCESSIVE
Council Wants Electric Light
Prices Looked Into

Two important matters occupied The
attention of the Hancock city council
last evening.
A resolution was passed charging
the Houghton County Electric Light
company with excessive rates for the
electric current furnished local con-
sumers and asking that the railroad
commission come here and make an
investigation.
Information was furnished the cour
ell by George l.. Christensen that Ger
tain saloons in Hancock are fGgrantly
violating the liquor laws by keeping
open on Sunday, condition he alleges
he has discovered through personal
visits TO the saloons on DAYS when thcS
should be closed. The cCurcil determ
lned TO have the laws enforced.
The resolution on electric light rates
says in part
That it is the belief Of this council
that the rates charged 10y the Hough-
ton County Electric Light company for
electricity to the city Of Hancock and
and unreasonable, that the maximCn
rate is excessive and burdensome 20
the small consumer and out Of all pro-
portion and reason 70 the low rate
charged the heavy consumers of cleo
tricity; that the said company discrim.
mates in its charges and rates 10 its
patrons; that low and special rates are
given 10 some patrons and denied TO
others that the rates charged by said
company are excessive and beyond
al reason when considered with ref
erence TO the actual cost OF making
and delivcrne electricity:
he it further resolved that the
Michigan Railroad Commission be .e-
spectfully requested 20 Investigate this
complaint and. by its agents. eXamin-
ers and inspectors, inspect the system
used in Transmitting and supplying
electricity. ana examine or cause 20
lac examined the books and papers OF
said Houghton County Electric Light
company, and after such investigation
and hearing shall determine the max
imum price 20 be charged for its cleo
tricitv, which rates. when fixed. shall
be uniform and alike 10 al, customers
simultah ahoously using the came under
like conditions"
The alleged violation of the liquor
laws was discussed by the council and
reference made to the fact that saloon
lists last spring circulated a petition
voluntarily among themselves agreeing
to live up To the law, and promising
their support i'm the prosecution of any
violator. The matter was referred TO
Mayor Dodge. with a recommendation
that he Investigate and if necessary
make new appointments To the police
force to see that the law is enforced.
General Manager Stockly made "a
report of work now being done ana,
work which has been completed since
the last meeting of the council lie
recommended that a hose tower be
erected TO the rear of the city hall
where fire hose might be dried. and
that a curb. gutter and sidewalk be
constructed on Front street as far as
the present retaining wall. The FRS
matter was laid over until the next
meeting when MIR. Stockly viii present
an estimate of the cost Of a hose
tower. while no action was taken Oh
tile second recommendation.
The council arranged for the pri
mary election to be held next week by
making the following e~appointments
Election inspectors NJ. r. Colds
worthy John Lees. J. c. Markle and
V. A. Fredd.
Election commissioner ]. Eich-
kern, NJ. l.. Fuukey and A. r. Mac
Gonald.