New Britain herald., 1915-12-13
Long Time Agreement Will Be
 Fought at Town Meeting
MAY ASK MORE CONCESSIONS
Company May Come In For Criti- cism-Scarcity Of Steel Worries nufacturers-Icemen Prenare For Harvest-Briefs.

year contract for street lighting with the Onlted Electric Light and Water company Is to be made at the spe- clal town meeting, it was said this morning, and while the voters will probably authorize. the selectmen to renew the agreement now in force. the company's monopoly giving them no alternative, 1t is expected that the lighting people will come in for some severe criticism for failing to give better rates than they have offered in the proposed contract
 Despite the inducements given for a ten year agreement, some of the vot- CTS believe that the town shouldn't tle itself up With any company for so long a period, especially in view of the progress that is being made in street lighting appliances
 During the past three years there have been some remarkable reductions in the prices charged for electric lights in stores and dwellings and the cut rates which the company offers for the privilege of continuing to provide illumination for the streets do not show anything like proportionate lessening in cost
 Competition between gas compan nies and electric light corporations ey, dent1y has been so keen that the pub lie has been given the benefit of price slashing. The concern with which the town is now doing business has the franchise for street lighting here. It has no competitor and conseuuent- ly is not forced to cut its rates p1a- terialy to keep the contract Some inducements have been offered for both five and ten year renewals and the town is of course to benefit to a certain extent no matter which proposition is accepted
 It was said this morning that an effort will be made at the meeting to have the selectmen instructed to sign a contract for not more than five years getting the best possible terms from the company. The se- lectmen appear to be in favor of talk 1 ing advantage of the reduction offered | In a ten year contract which can be terminated by the town at the end of hVe years, providing the company is paid the difference between the pro- posed rates and those charged under the agreement now in force.
 An additional appropriation for the
  probably be authorized by the meet lng It is the only subject other than that concerning street lighting that is to be considered. according to the call. The meeting will begin at o'clock in the Town Hall
 Scarcity Of Steel.
 Local manufacturers report that ,hey are experiencing considerable difficulty in filling orders owing to a scarcity of steel and their inability Q get shipments of that metal is caus- ng them some concern. $
 War orders from Europe have de- l uged the great steel plants of the country and business is so pressing I with them that they are unable to ( upply the demands made by the rade. Lack of steel is at present pre- \ 'enting some manufacturers in Plain file from filling orders on their books. )ne local concern had a steel con- - ract which expired early in the fall nn n nd consequently is having trouble |, 'etting its new orders filled even at l ', he advanced price. January ship nents are the best promises than can e secured, the manufacturers report, ' or steel ordered in November. Local concerns are busy although hey have been benefited but indi- D ectly by war orders, and lack of nna- V erial is worrying them. a.
 Prepare for Ice Harvest. Although the ice on ponds in this o, 'cality is not more than three inches VI llck, the 1cemen are making pre- arations for the harvesting of the rst crop of the season. They do SC ot intend to wait until midwinter to ci Il their repositories if they can tf void it and should the weather con- e' nue cold and the ice develop to a lickness of seven or eight inches ley plan to begin cutting. cl
 Masons to Elect. fl Frederick lodge, A. F. and A. H. B i'll hold its annual communication . morrow night in Masonic temple. lection of officers for the ensuing 'ar will be among the important alters to be considered. i. N. B. Clark's successor as worship a l master will be chosen at the z, eeting. u
 At the Hospitals. o Favorable reports have been re- V ived from Miss Mildred Olson who is d the Hartford hospital recovering II om an operation for appendicitis.
 Miss Arta Gilbert of Mountain View fr 10 recently underwent an operation Q r appendicitis, is reported to be get = lg along nicely. She is at the Char C Oak hospital Tn Ralph w. WarfieId, an employe of tn g Bristol& & Plainville Tramway com- hs ny, who is receiving treatment at Q Hartford hospital, was reported , Jay to be much improved. He may os able to return home next week. WI
 To Build Garage. tn