South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-11-22
MUNICIPAL LIGHT
PLANT FAVORED
Mayor Keller Back From Fort
Wayne Says City Could
Save Money.

Following the inspection Of the mu-
nicipal electric lighting plant at Fort
Wayne made Saturday afternoon by a
delegation OF city officials. including
Mayor Keller and members OF the
council, Mayor Keller Monday issued
a statement in which he favors
strongly the agitation of movement
for municipal lighting plant for South
Bend. The mayor Is very enthusiastic
over the project and although several
years would be necessary before such
plan could be put in operation he
advocates discussion Of the project by
the people and a thorough investiga-
ton.
This administration is strongly in
favor of municipal lighting for the
city," declared the mayor, land the
officials believe it to be a practical
step. The administration and cOun-
Gil believe that as an investment
municipal lighting plant would be a
real asset to the city and the means
OF saving a great deal of money.
Doubtless it would be as big a saw
ing TO South Bend as ii is TO Fort
Wayne.
FavOrs Discussion.
Before making a start for secur-
ing such a plant the question should
be thoroughly discussed by the tax
payers" continued the mayor. I'm
less we get a substantial reduction in
rates now in effect in South Bend
through the petition before the state
psblic service commission the admin
istration would be Favorable TO an
electrical plant providing the tax
payers were in sympathy.
Before starting such a plant ii
would be necessary to get the consent
of the public service commission or
get our public service commission
makes a substantial reduction in
rates. BY having the law changed 1t
would be unnecessary for the city TO
secure the privilege from the commits
sion. 1t would also be necessary for
the people to vote on the question"
The mayor explained many of the
facts that had been learned by the
trip to Fort Wayne where a municipal
lighting plant has been in operation
for the past six years, running in
competition to a private concern, and
supplying about half of the power
used in the city. The plan, accord
ing to the figures in the hands Of the
mayor, called for an investment Of
$3.50. 600, the money being raised by
a small levy. Mayor Keller said that
Fort Wayne officials produce figures
showing an annual saving of $780,
600. The gross income of the plant
amounts TO $250,000.
Prices Are Compared.
Charges as made by the Indiana &
Michigan Electric Co. to South Bend
patrons were compared by Mayor
Keller TO those made by the Fort
Wayne municipal plant. He said that
the maximum rate per kilowatt hour
at Fort Wayne was seven cents COM
pared with To- cents in South Bend.
The minimum charge here is S1.00
pAr month Jybila a Fort WaUpQ II iC
but SO cents
Before the municipal plant was
started in Fort Wayne" declared
Mayor Keller" the city paid $1S5 per
year for arc lights. Since the new
plant is in operation the arc lights
cost but s56 annually. This is $40
to $50 per light lower than the
charges made by the Indiana & Mich
igan to the city of South Bend"
The special levy for the Fort Wayne
plant amounted to % per year. one
fourth OF the South Bend track eleva-
ton levy. The mayor believes that a
municipal plant can be erected here
at a cost slightly less than that at
Fort Wayne.
Before a municipal plant could be
erected here it would be necessary to
hold an election. Mayor Keller said
that unless the public service COM
mission granted South Bend a sub
stantial decrease I'm rates that a move
ment would be started for the erection
of plant. When asked whether such
a step would be an immediate one
ne explained that the city still has
an eight-year contract with the In
diana & Michigan Electric Co, which
must be cOnSummated before a plant
could be built. thus giving plenty Of
time for making plans.