The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1913-12-19
City Council and Electric Company
Lock Horns Over New Con-
iract-Dads Decline to
Pay Increased Rate
CORP. COM. MAY
DECIDE DISPUTE
Representative Of Company Insists
Present Price Too Low Bond
Issue for Fire Depart
ment Discussed

Il was just about "horse about" al
the council meeting last night. in 2
friendly bout between the city dads
and the chickasha Gas and Electric
company as to an ultimate contract
for street lighting with that company
and though the council scored the last
wallop, before the bout was ended,
Messrs. shaeifer aud Johnson. repre-.
senting the light people. retired in
good order and the encounter may YET
be settled BY the comporation commits
sion.
Some monthe ago the contract be-
tween the Chickasha Gas ana Electric
company and the city Of Chickasha for
loo street lights at s. each, expired and
in view Of the fact that a consolids,
tion Of the two light companies was
probable, which would mean the max
ing Of new contract, the old contract
was never renewed with that company.
but the street lights were paid for BY
the city on the basis Of the old con
tract The contract with the chicka-
sha Light. Heat and Power company
calling for 40 lights at IS each is stln
IN force.
The idea at the melting last night
was to make new contract for street
lights. and while the light committee
OF the council ana representatives OF
the light company have been in con-
ference from time to time for several
days, no satisfactory result was
reached, and hence the discussion Of
the matter before the council.
Mr.. shaeffer. manager Of the light
company. held that the contract price
OF s. per light was not sufficient and
asked for a slight increase in that rate,
while the light committee was up
against the proposition, that for the
fiscal year. ending June 80. an appro-
priation OF S. per light had been made
and it was impossible at this time to
raise that appropriation, there being
just enough money in the light fund for
the payment OF street lights at the
former contract price. In view OF this
fact. Mr.. Shaeffer said; "If the city
will make a contract at $3.50 per light
for five years, we viii. considering the
limited light fund now IN the city
treasury, continue the service for the
remainder OF the fiscal year at the old
contract price Of IS per light Real
izing that the gas and electric com
panys contract with the city has ex.
pired. we feel that we should in some
way strike a happy medium Of the
two rates. While we will agree to
continue service at SIS for the remain
der Of the fiscal year at s5 per light,
providing that we get contract for
$3.50 for term Of five years. We don't
feet that we can make price Of So.
per light for term OF years. We also
don't feel tina. you should ask that we
cut down the revenue Of the company
at this time. The company has just
spent $4,000 on new plant to give
you more efficient service, not going
to spend It. but have already done so,
and we feel that we are sort of going
the limit. Chickasha now is enjoying.
! believe. the lowest rate of any city
in Oklahoma"
Would you say that the company is
not receiving more money for its ser.
vice here tsan in any city of its size in
Oklahoma?" asked 7. J. Driggers.
NO" replied Mr.. shaeffer, Chick
asha spends a great amount of money
for lights considering the size OF the
town. However, am inclined to think
that the price we have made is about
as low as we can go and make a fair
profit and you will realize that Grip
pied public service corporation is a
mighty poor asset to city"
Clarence G. johnson then gave a
short synopsis Of the light situation in
Chickasha, declaring that the venture
has been thoroughly tested by two
companies and that both have lost
money. He stated that the price OF