The Marshall republican., 1913-12-12

was ciosinB MS ueal anu olIer me u
horse just as good; would It not tend
TO reduce the price7
Under our present conditions we
have only n electric light and gas
plant in Marshall. when this COM
pany made its first offer It thought
1t had us by our throats. Its officers
felt reasonably sure that by their
political methods the company was
safe from competition-they felt safe
IA holp-up seemed e~asy--but these
people came so near losing In the last
election, they are scared. We certain
ly have Them on the run This COM
pany sees a real. not an imaginary
rival In a municipal plant. They have
loosened their hands from III throats
a little. and want us to reason with
them. They have forgotten, that this
Is a fight and not a picnic.
But we have had experience before
we once had q private water mono
poly. q gentle, home grown variety.
At the expiration OF their franchise
they offered TO sell their plant and
settle all claims for $4,000. The
city council. many OF whom are now
present called an election for s70,-
900 bonds. The campaign got warm.
The company Just like our light com
pany now, got scared. They began In
the same manner to decker and make
better offers. They offered 10 cut
everything in half. They threatened
cajoled and prayed; but the citizens
voted the bonds. Afterwards with all
meekness this water company, who
demanded si2G,0O0 took the real
value OF the plant. $4,000 and threw
in several years hydrant rentals be-
sides just as fruits meet for repent
ance.
Vote these electric light bonds and
you will take the %stiffening out o.
this company. Out OF fear they have
made US a better offer. We choerfulty
admit the offer TO be better; but the
c.tizons OF Marshall do not want a
better offer. we want the best offer.
aud we do not intend TO take any
other.
Vote these bonds and this company
will be ready TO sell not In 90 Year,
or 8 years, but In 9 minutes. Vote
these bonds and instead OF $t.20 gas
they will beg and plead for the pr
vileee OF furnishing 90 cent gas. Vote
these bonds and instead OF 10 cent
electricity. they will implorc us q
allow them TO sell II at G cents. But
whatever you do. vote these bonds, SC
that the city eau have an alternative,
can be independent. II you vote down
the bonds. expect q hold-up. n you
vote the bonds. you will then be in o
place to make n good contract. Then
if we desire. we can build a plant, a.
any rate the prospect for cheaper
lights and gas will be brighter than
ever before.
Hon James A. Gable. member OF the
Utilities Commission OF Kansas waf
introduced and described the opera
ton OF municipal industries In Kan.
sas CITY. Kas. Mr.. Cable said.
In the past four years Kansas City
Kas., has acquired both It's water ant
lts light plants. Notwithstanding the
remarkable growth. which our city
was having In population from 1906
to 1907, our water company made NJ
improvements or extensions OF any
consequence on account OF the explr
Ing OF It's franchise and the apathy %
the people toward n renewal OF tn
same. Its pumping machinery IA I
mass OF junk, its equipment for clnri
fyinng and purifying the water wal
wholly Inadequate and its pipe line
covered less than one-half the city
The water II was furnishing 10 les
than one-half the people Therefore
was exceedingly muddy, very impur
and wholly unfit for use for any nur
pose. II became so bad in 1908 an'
1909 that It actually stopped tn
growth OF the city. During thes'
years people did not locate in Kansa
City, Kas., after having seen the cit,
water, II was so exceedingly bad,
In order to avoid granting anothe
long term franchise 10 a company
which had proved unfaithful in tina
} it had pocketed the proceeds OF III
business and refused year after yeart
, make improvements. while forcin
/. our people to use water so impure q
/ to cause much sickness, much distres
: and many deaths, We decided to nc
: quire the water plant. We starte
out TO acquire the plant by condem
lnstion proceedings and very 500
5 found ourselves hampered by litiga
y ion on the part of the company whic
3 looked All though II might delay mat
, tiers tindefinitely. So urgent was tn