South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-11-19
CITY OWNERSHIP
RESOLUTION MAY
DELAY CONT RACT
Councilman RiCe'S Plan for Ex-
pert to Estimate Cost of Mu-
niCipaI Light Plant May Hold
Up Award Until New Off
CiaIS Come !r


No action was taken Wednesday
morning by the board of public works
on the municipal ownership resolution
Of the council in committee of the
whole authorizing the board to employ
an expert to undertake an investiga-
ton of the cost of installing a muni-
cipa lighting plant.
The board referred several matters
in connection with the proposed open
ing of William st. north of Colfax to
the city attorney.
Pres. Otto Bastian of the board said
the matter of employing an expert as
orderC " the council was not taken
up W -nesday. He said he didn't
know when it would be taken up.
1t is understood. however, that the
matter was informally discussed We'd
nesday.
Opinion was freely expressed Wed
nesday that the employment Of an ex-
pert TO make the investigation with
a view to establishment of a municipal
plant would result in the expenditure
of a large sum of money without re-
sut, as the city hasn't the funds to
build plant now.
The resolution was fathered by
to delay the lighting contract until the
new administration is in power,
"consummatiOn deVoutly to be wished"
by successful candidates and adher-
ents of the citizens party.
The expert was TO be employ
ed for the, purpose of ascertaining
what it will cost to install a munich
pal lighting plant in South Bend, or,
If not to generate the current, then to
learn what il will cost TO wire the
city, and provide the citys own light
ing equipment. purchasing the cur
rent.
The decision came after the coun-
cilmen and members of the board in
joint open session, had listened to
Fred A Bryan, general manager of
the Indiana & Michigan Electric
Co. and E. S. Bingham. agent for the
Welsbach Streer lighting CO. OF
Chicago, explain their bids recently
filed. soliciting a city lighting con-
tract and register pleas on the merits
of their respective styles of glimmer.
Magnates Fail To Agree
Several of the newly elected sue
cessors to the present councilmen and
a number of citizens. we're also in at
tendance.
Most of the talk by Mr. Bryan and
Mr.. Bingham was technical. Bing-
ham explained that at S24 per 60
10 one of the present electric lights,
he could save the people money, and
Mr.. Bryan explained with just as
much emphasis that he (Bingham)
couldn't do anything Of the kind.
Both of the men were we'll loaded
down with written and printed data
Of which they left enough with the
officials to keep them reading for sew
eral months.
Citizens Seek Iipht.
Sundry citizens took part in the
discussion. but mainly from the
standpoint of questiOners in search of
information. II was understood that
several men had come prepared to
spring something on the lighting"
that point peir thunder had been
we'll exploded by Councilman Rice in
a little tilt with Mr. Bryan, in which
the former almost challenged the lat
ters truthfulness.
Councilman Rice had confronted
Mr.. Bryan with the charge that Mish
awaka city is buying naked current
OF the Indiana & Michigan Electric
Co. at S4-10O of a cent per kilOwatt
hour, and reselling it to private con-
sumers at a profit of $4,000 a year,
aad getting its street lighting free.
Not at S4-100 of a cent, but that
plus a dollar service rate" said
Bryan.
Rice questioned the dollar charge
we are selling current to Misha
waka at the same rate that we sell
manufacturers and other large Gus
toners, who contract 20 use a large
amount" Bryap went on. that gen
eral rate being about cent and two
thirds"
Discussion Gets Pointed
"Is that the least you have ever
offered TO sell current for in South
Bend ?'' Rice inquired. Haven't you
offered TO sell ii for less than a cent?"
Never" was Bryan's answer.
Again the councilman suggested
that he knew better.
Here Bryan dropped the subject,
declaring the statement a little
strong"
And the outcome of it all was
change of the topic under discussion
from one of contracting for light, 10
a confab in favor of and against the
installation Of a municipal lighting
plant in South Bend. Councilman
Elect GOebel Of the seventh ward
wanted 10 know why it would not be
possible and led in the onslaught
Mr.. Bryan had explained that his
figures approXimated three cents per
kilow@tt hour to the city, but that il
incl y equipment. service, mainten-
ance deterioration. etc. Judge How
ard explained that one Of the reasons
that South Bend could not go into the
lighting business is because il lacks
the funds and the city is already
bonded near up 10 the limit
Developing as il finally did that no
one was getting anywhere. Council
man Mccullough, who presided. fin
ally asked the citizens and magnates
10 retire, and the council and board of
public works went into executive ses-
sion behind closed doors. the decisiOnl
20 employ an expert being the result.
HE WAS GOOD FELLOW.
BALTIMORE, Nd. NOV. IL
Charles Printzalu. amateur stamp
collector who died several months
o 90 ranLlastal that q monument haar-