The Mena weekly star., 1913-12-04
M unicipal Lights
 Again Considered
Continued From First Page.)

sition for an individual, why not for the city?" asked A. L. Kirby. Lights can be produced cheaper ten years from now. ard I am not in favor of T long contract. am in favor of municipal ownership, and the council should submit it to the peo- pie"
 Jackson for Individual Ownership.
 Councilman Jackson said he would act in favor of the city, but person. ally was not in favor of the city owning the plant and believed in individual ownership with favor able contract.
 Dr. R. c. Maxwell considered the present price of lights too high and was of the opinion that if anyone could make money out of a plant the city could also. He had never regretted the city owning the water system and favored the city estab- fishing it's own plant and putting on a day current.
 Views Changed by Experience.
 R. R. St. John said that when he was connected with The Star, and during the lifetime of his father, they were in favor of munlclpally owned water and sewer systems and light plant, but since in Mena, under municipal ownership, the citizens were compelled to pay more for water than in other towns where they had to pump their water, he had weakened on municipal own ership. Personally he wanted lights and was in favor of ten-year con- tract if necessary to get them. A municipal light plant was the last resort.
 Here it was suggested that the re- port of the audit of the books of the waterworks commission should he published. -1.5- --ts-'tn' 1
 How Wealth Was Wasted.
 'I thought it might be published as a matter of news" said the mayor. There has been enough valuable space wasted that, if paid for, would have made someone moderately rich"
 Councilman Davis said he would have to hear an expression from the citizens before he would vote. That he would favor what the people de- sired.
 Would Listen to People.
 Councilman Harrison thought it better 10 hear an expression from the people before voting. "I am in favor of what the people want, whether it suits me or not"
 Fiarbanks-M Morse Proposition.
 "A representative of the Fair banks-Mors Company, a concern rated at over a million dollars, called on me several weeks ago. said MT Scoggin, ''and made a proposition that his company would install a single unit plant, using a direct-comeeted distiilate engine, put up the poles and string the wires, build house for the plant and have it in perfect condition for turning on the current for $7,5G0- and the cost of producing current would be less than one cent per kilowatt, this to be backed by the guarantee of the company. A two unit, or plant sufficient for night and day service, would not cost twice as much, as the poles and wires would already be erected. Fayetteville has. recently installed a direct-connected plant. The elec- trical department of the state uni- versity says that direct-connected engines are success. As to the kind of plant to install and amount of bond issue, I would be willing to leave that to a commission"
 City Attorneys Suggestion.
 City Attorney prickett suggested the advisability of waiting until the Supreme court renders a decision In the case appealed as to the va lldlty Of the present contract with the light company.
 The mayor was of the opinion that the decision would not be ef- fectlve either way the case was de- clded. The contract stipulated that the light company was to re- duce the rate for commercial ser vice to i5 cents per kilowatt. and they have not done so. This alone would inValidate their contract. The people do not care to have a | contract with the present company. They have paid an exorbitant price lor using current and have never had day service. I do not think we are under obligation to the Tom llnson brothers in any form or | fashion whatever"
 Adjourned Meeting December f6
 It was decided to hold an ad- lourned session of the council on tuesday night November i6.
 The salary of Dr. Bizzell, as city health officer, was fixed at Sl5 Der month for period of six months. | The doctor was authorized to em- ploy labor in making drainage dltches. The mayor instructed inc heaith officer to notify property | owners within the first district be- | tween Fourth and Seventh streets to | connect with the sewer system within thirty days or the out houses were to be torn down.
 on motion of Councilman Nose ley, w. J. Dunman was placed in nomination to fill the vacancy on the water commission. The motion carried. o''on