The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1914-05-01
ocALA AND HER FUTURE ELEc.
TRIO LIGHTING

Ocala has outgrown her present cleo
trio lighting plant. Speaking with a :!
full knowledge of the subject we are
told that the plant is already carrying
a greater load than the capacity of
the plant justifies, and that sooner or
later il must give way under the
heavy and extraordinary strain.
The city council, of course, knows
that something must be done and
must be done as quickly and eXpedi-
tiously as possible.
We believe that the council is act
uated by motives that will constrain
IL to do what it considers is best for
the interest of the city in the face of
favorable or even unfavorable criti-
cism.
We do not believe that any mem
Der of the city council has any pri-
vate ak to grind or that he can be con-
trolled by sinister or sordid motives,
present or remote.
The gentlemen composing the city
council were elected to safeguard the
best interest sof the city, and we be-
lieve that each one is directing his
services with that end in view.
So believing, at the last session of
the council our belief was greatly
strengthened to hear the following
resolution read, and to witness it's
unanimous adoption.
The resolution was introduced by
Mr.. Emmett Robinson, AMI reads as
follows:
Whereas, It is deemed advisable
that the city of Ocala make adequate
preparation for furnishing its citizens
with electric light and power, and
Whereas, The ACCESSIBILITY of ex-
pending large sums of money by this
city in the erection and equipment of
new and adequate electric light and
power facilities, will soon be before
the council, and
Whereas, 1t is the part of wisdom
for this council, as representatives of
the people. to thoroughly investigate
all practical methods of supplying
electric light and power at the lowest
possible cost, in order that manufac-
turing enterprises may be induced to
locate here, therefore be it resolved:
First. That the light and water
committee of this council be instruct
ed to furnish this body with a com
plete report of the cost of producing
and furnishing electric light and pow
er with the present facilities, includ-
ing in such cost report interest, sink
ing fund and depreciation.
Second, That they thoroughly in
vestigate the cost of producing and
furnishing electric light and power by
municipality owned plant, with
steam turbine. oil engines and other
modern methods, including in such re-
port the cost of equipping and main
tanning such plants, including inter
est. sinking fund and depreciation.
Third, That they be empowered to
receive bids, after due advertisement,
from private parties, for furnishing
electric light and power tn this city.
to be furnished by the city to its citi-
zens; to prepare such specifications,
terms and conditions as will properly
safeguard the interest of the citizens
and the financial welfare of the city
and to require such bonds as will ade-
quately protect such bids and the in
terests of the city.
Fourth, That the sum of one hun
dred dollars be placed at the disposal
of the committee as expense money,
such parts as may be necessary to be
expended in securing competent ad
vice and information in connection
with carrying out the provisions of
this resolution"
At the same meeting of the council
the following protest" was read. The
protest" emanated from the board of
governors of the board of trade, and
reads as follows:
Whereas, AS per advertisement ap-
pearing in the Banner and Star invit-
ing bids to furnish the city of Ocala
with electric power; therefore be it
Resolved, That the board of gov
errors and several citizens in a meet
ing April 18th, 1914, desire to protest
against such action and to place them
selves squarely on paragraph one in
the mayors address to the city coun-
Gil, Januarq 18th, 1914, which reads
as follows: That the electric light
and water works plant be consolidat-
ed, and that each of said plants be so
enlarged and improved as to ade-
quately meet the needs and necessi-
ties of the city and citizens. The