The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1913-01-16
Despite the Brisk Agitation for Lower
Rates for Electricity, the eyIlesby
Co. VII, Hardly Aecede to Wishes
Of our Citizens.


Of Our Citizens.
There has been considerable aEi.
tation of late for lower rates for light
heat and power furnished hy the Con-
sumers Power Co. Of this city, this
being part Of the H. NJ. Byllosby Co.
Of Chicago.
When the Byllesby Co. took over
the electric light plant from the MI
not Light & Telephone Co. about two
years ago, the rate for lighting was
reduced from 16 cents per X. to Is
cents. The company stated at the
time that while the reduction was
considerable, it hoped that II the vol
ume Of business could be increased.
It might be able to reduce the rates
still lower at some future time AS
the company has not seemed inclined
to do anything along this line. many
have grown impatient and are now
urging the company to lower the rate.
Will Fight In the Courts.
An Independent representative call
ed on H. e. Brandt, manager OF the
Consumers Power Co., Tuesday after
noon, and he was told that the people
OF Minot need not look for any reduc-
ton in the rates at this time, as he
had but recently taken the matter up
with the Chicago manager, Mr. Hunt,
who declared that the local company
was not at this time making even a
fair rate on the investment.
"No one would be more willing to
see the rates lowered than myself"
said Mr.. Brandli, "and should GER.
tainly like to see the citizens of MI
not get what they want, but I hon
estly think that the present rate Is
the best that you can look for at this
time. I took the matter up recently
with Mr.. Hunt and he declared that
tho Minot proposition was not paying
even a fair rate considering the In
yestment. He said that when the Nj
not business increases 30 that this
city uses az much electricity az Grand
Forks or Fargo, either Of which cities
uses about four times as much cur.
rent az Minot, we might look for a
reduction. We have made many thou
sands of dollars worth Of improve.
ments In Minot and these Of course
must be considered in our rates.
I'VE allow discount Of 10 per cent
providing the bills are paid by the
tenth Of the month. and this reduces
j the maximum rate to Ill por X.
Many people do not take advantage
s'if az this offer. Some are inclined to be
I 4 little extravagant in the use Of cleo.
tricity, using the old fashioned lamps
when the Tungstens would use only
about half a. much electricity and
give better light Then. too there are
about thousand electrical appli'
ances OF all kinds used in the city
and these all take current.
'I have read the Burns-McDonald
report on file with the city auditor.
but this report omits many items.
For instance, no provision is made
/. for the cost Of site, taxes. liability In
surance for employees, the salary OF
bookkecpers and many other items
.I VIII leave for Chicago Sunday
TO attend the annual convention OF
the company and will take the mat
ter up with the company. Nothing
would suit me better than to see the
rates reduced, but fear that this can
mot be done. Mr.. Hunt declares that
the fact that there Is Ignite coal
close to Minot should not make any
particular difference In the cost OF
producing electricity, because there
are not more than half the heat units
In Ignite that there are in other coal.
II may mean a legal fight and It
such ID the case. I am sure that It
can be shown that this company Is
not making . high rate on the in
vestment.s
Considered BY City Commissioners.
Ten petitions were circulated IN