The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-05-29

Fence company, the latter the largest
power consumer in the city, do the
same on Superintendent kleinknecht's
assurance that a further rate reduc-
ton was to be made.
Superintendent kleinknecht denied
today that he had informed Mr.. LontZ
that if the city got all the power bust
ness. the state commission would be
justified in authorizing Il further Ne
duction of such rates for this city.
He also said that he contracted with
the Ollie, Mcclure company and the
fence company without ever discuss
Ing with their representatives the
question Of rate reductions.
Robbins is Surprised.
Mayor Robbins only comment on
this question was that he was sur
prised when he found the meeting yes
terday was not for the purpose Of
discussing the proposed minimum rate
and double throw charge reductions
and he expressed the opinion that
there was no city in the state which
had a lower or more equita BILE power
rate schedule. He said that he doubt
ed very much If private plant could
produce current at cost of three
quarters Of a cent per k W, which was
an assertion made by Mr.. Lontz, but
said he had no objections to make if
Mr.. LontZ and the other manufacture
ers who are demanding a rate reduc-
ton attempted to make their own cur
rent with gasoline engines.
President Bavis of the board said
the board had no koWledge of any rate
reduction offer as bait for the pa
tronage of the manufacturing interests
and he further stated that he had
shown Mr.. LOntz that with the rate
his company now has it is obtaining
fits power $500 less than what it did
last year.
Bond to Investigate.
City Attorney Bond said that he had
not had time to thoroughly consider
the charges made by the manufacture
ers yesterday that there should be
futher reduction in power rates. but
said he intended to make an investi-
cation of this question and if there
We're any Inequalities or injustices in
these rates he would advise altera-
tons. superintendent \. II. Johnson
Of the Light, Heat & Power company
attended the meeting yesterday but
took no part in the discussion. He
heard the electrical plant of his com
pany referred to, however, as a "col-
lection of junk" by Mr.. Reid, and he
commission would have no legal right
to forbid further rate reductions in
Richmond to protect the interests of
the Light, Heat & Power company
which refused to meet the city's COM
petition by providing modern equip
ment for its electrical plant
He said If the l.. H., & p. continued
its non-prOgressive policy it should be
ignored by the commission and the
city plant permitted to reduce it's
rates as low as possible.
President Bavis of the board made
the statement that the municipal plant
must be conducted for the best in
terests Of all the taxpayers and that
the plants success was concurrent
with that of the manufacturing in
terests Of the city. and that it was
the boards desire to provide as low
rates for all classes Of patrons as pos
sible, but, he said. he believed that
some of the manufacturers had lost
sight of the fact that the state COM
mission law protected the city plants
competitor and prevented the estab-
lishment Of rates the city plant could
afford to offer but which would be