New Britain herald., 1915-04-21
MUNICIPAL LIGHTING
 PROPOSITION KILLED
Citizens Vote Against Il and Mayor
 Will Withhold Approval.

New Britain will not venture into ness. This was decided beyond any question of doubt last night in old Turner hall when Mayor George A. Quigley asked those who came there for the city meeting to express their opinions regarding the project. Not a good word was said for the propo- sition but there was plenty of criti- cism. As a result of the expressions of opinion Mayor Quigley announced that he would not approve q resolu- ton adopted by the last common council in favor of the step. This means the obsequies of the resolu- ton as the statutes require that it shall be passed by two consecutive common councils and approved by the mayor. It will die a natural death and, judging by the sentiment of the meeting, it will be necessary to hire mourners.
 Prominent among the opponents of the measure was ex-Senator Andrew !. Sloper, who is interested probably in more manufacturing concerns than any other man in New Britain. Mr. Sloper gave a clear explanation of why be objected to any such steps and II any argument had been necessary his words would have been sufficient.
 After the city meeting. Mayor Cuigley informed those present that he wanted an informal discussion of the lighting question and that he had seized the opportunity of getting in touch with the people and securing their opinions in this matter.
 Judge Cooper Explains Situation.
 Edward F. Hall asked Mayor Quig- ley to explain the present status of the project and the latter called on Corporation Counsel J. E. Cooper for the explanation. As has been printed in the Herald it would be necessary to have the approval of the people at the city election next spring and also their second endorsement after an ap- praisal of the plant of the United Electric Light and Water company has been made. Judge Cooper said the resolution had not been approved as yet by the mayor who wanted to learn first the sentiment of the tax payers.
 Councilman o. F. Curtis asked Judge Cooper what the cost would be or an appraisal after condemnation proceedings had been instituted. The reply was that the appraisal might cost the city $25,00O and that the cost of the plant might run as high IS $1,50O,0OO
 fooIsh Proposition" ex-Mayor Pease
 This is the most foolish proposition the city could go into,'' remarked ex- Mayor l.. Hoyt Pease Edward l.. Hannon asked for opinions of mem- oers or the common council who had investigated the project.
 EX-Representative Thomas H. Ke- hoe inquired whether the appraisal would include all the wind and water" in the company or just the physical plant. Judge Cooper replied that the appraisal would probably be estimat- ed on the earnings of the company as a going concern. He said it was question as to how high the ap- praisal experts would go.
 Councilman Curtis believed the ven- ture might cost the city s2,OOO.0OO be- fore all details were completed and a new plant erected for the manu- facture of electricity.
 A. J. Sloper Explains Defects.
 EX-Senator Sloper referred to a remark by Judge Cooper in which the latter said he believed the New Britain end of the United company paid $S5,000 year franchise rental 10 the Housatonic Power company. MT. Sloper believed those figures too low. The United" pays s1,OOO a day rental for all it's holdings and he believed Waterbury and New Britain contributed two-thirds of his. The net income of the concerns is estimated between $150,000 and $1SO,0O0 and this would have to come out of the city's pockets if local end of concern were seized by condemnation pro- ceedings.
 "New Haven" Wanted Over 2.OOO. .OOO
 Some years ago in the interests of the New Britain. Gas Light company, ] talked with President Me1len, who was then at the head of the New Ha- ven road with a view of buying the electric lighting business in this city" said MT. Sloper. ''I am not at liberty to state the price asked for the business but S2.000,000 was less than what the New Haven road thought it was worth.'