The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1914-02-12
GROWERS PLAN
A MUNICIPALITY
MANY ATTEND SATURDAY MEETING
Plan Suggested for the Purpose Of Re-
ducing Light Rate r. Campaign for Pub
lie Utilities Initiative Bill Outlined

urday afternoon, with but single dis
sentlng voice, a motion calling for the
circulation of petition TO form a mu-
niclpality in the valley, in order that
municipal lighting, heating and
power plsnt may be constructed. was
passed. If the county court passes
favorably on the petition and other
provisions of the motion are carried to
successful completion, the county will
have two Incorporated towns. The
action of the rural citizens comes as
the result of an agitation that was be-
gun here the first of January by men,
bers of the Odell Development League,
who started negotiations with the local
power companies in an effort to secure
lower rates for country consumers.
The two power companies of the
valley, said Mark Cameron, chairman
of the meeting and member of the
Odell club, have told US that it will
be impossible for them to make any
reduction"
II is proposed by the members of the
proposed municipality to have its
bounds extend to Booth Hill, the divid-
ing line between the Upper and Lower
Hood River Valleys and to take in all
that territory. excepting the city of
Hood River. from that point to the Co.
lumbla river on the north. This will
comprise the entire portion of the set
tied area of the apple district in the
Lower Valley. The orchardists plan
to provide for a charter that will call
for a commission form of government.
Il have property in the limits of the
proposed new municipality, said j. +.
Batchelder, the only man to raise his
voice against the measure adopted at
the mass meeting, land unless | can
sell the same before the Inauguration
of such campaign, shall oppose 1t to
the utmost. | think the orchardists
are making a mistake that will lead
them to heavy expense.
The plan of campaign of the rural
residents is even more radical, how
ever. in their efforts to secure a mu-
nicipal light plant than the mere form
alton Of municipal government. On
motion of A. !. Mason, which was Sec
onded and passed unanimously, the
orchardists expressed themselves in
favor of circulating petitions to initiate
bill at the next general election to
make it possible for any community in
the state to establish distiict and
vote bonds for the construction and
maintenance of any public utilities
plant or institution.
by establishing our municipality"
said Mr.. Mason, 1--WE can hold our
water rights, and if the citizens of the
state pass the new bill, we can trans
fer our bond obligations and eliminate
the municipality. going ahead under
the new form of utility district"
W. W. Rodwell made a report for the
investigating committee, pointing out
the success that certain municipality |
owned power and light plants had met |
with on the coast. He named the |
plants at the cities of Milton and Eu- |
gene in this state, Palo Alto in Cali
fornia and Tacoma in Washington. |
The Eugene plant, on account of the |
strong privately owned corporation
there, Mr.. Rodwell said. has had
hard time.
Prof. Gibson made an address that
impressed the audience. He corrobor-
ated the statements of Mr.. Rodwell as
to the municipal plants named. 81
used to live in Palo Alto." he said,"
and on account of my interest in the
matter. visited their municipal plant
there, where they burn crude Gil and
sell the light and power at maximum
rate of seven cents kilowatt."
Prof. Gibson made a strong plea for
preparations to build a plant that
would care for the future. He played
upon the possibilities of accomplish
ment by cooperation.
Attorney Hsrtwig was called to the
floor and explained the details of the
foramtion of municipal government. |
The fact that municipality would |
have to exercise other functions of |
government threw scare into a num- |
ber of the orchardists. 1t was feared |
that if new town were formed its |
council might go to work and vote con-
crete sidewalks and streets in front of |
every home. Frank p. Friday raised |
an objection on these scores. But |
leaders in the matter explained that |
the council would do what the people |
wanted them to do, since the voting |
power would be left with them.
when | was mayor urged in my |
message to the council three years ago |
the consideration of a municipal plant |
in the west portion of this city near |
the railway track" said the former |
mayor, "but there we're many.important |
matters before the body at that time |
and my message was unheeded. If it |
had been we would now have munic- |
ipal plant in the city,"
The motion to circulate a petition |
for the election on the proposed new
was made by Roy G. |
Brock. II was seconded by d. II.
Thorn.
Friends of the proposed new plant
have filed on the water rights in differ |
ent parts of the Hood River valley.
Whether anything comes of the plans |
as proposed Saturday or not, August
Guignard, one of the members of the
board of directors of the Farmers Ir- |
rigating Co.. declares that his COM
pany is going to follow up its filings
and project them. Mr.. Guignard SAYS
1--WE are going to make it a matter |
of record as TO what water power we
have. for one know that we are
paying too much for light and COVER"
He then went on to explain how cheap
ly he manufactured his ewn lights by |
use of gasoline enigne at his hone. !
A. |. Mason declares that he will !
circulate the petitions to initiate the
public utilities district bill, offering to
secure free of charge 800 names.
Judge A. J. Derby" Mr.. Mason said
at Saturdays meeting, will draw the
bill for the orchardists free