Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1915-11-13

The city council met last night in
regular monthly session. all members
being present except Il. +. Cole. who
is not now active ON account OF his
removal from the city.
This was undoubtedly the busiest
meeting the council has held for sew.
eral months and matters were dis.
patched in businesslike manner,
without disoord, loss Of time or I'M
necessary quibbling. Il was team
work. pure and simple.
The mayor called the session to ar.
der promptly at s o'clock and the
usual routine OF business was deferred
owing to the many visitors present.
some OF whom wished to be heard.
The first called was e J. Fountain.
representing the firm Of Fountain
Brothers. lie stated that he was
merely following ~ an application for
n franchise for power and lights which
was presented at former meeting.
Mr.. Fountain believed the franchise
should be granted owing to the adj
vantages offered by him in the reduc-
ton OF rates TO the consumers, etc.
The mayor stated that this matter had
been gone into by the council and
asked that their findings be discussed.
wherein City Attorney J. W Doremus
addressed the meeting as follows;
Mayor and Gentlemen:
After the matter was turned over
to the ordinance committee they called
at my office for the purpose of finding
out what the rights OF the city were In
regard TO this matter, and as TO the
advisability OF granting a franchise in
view Of the fact that the city Of Bryan
owns its plant or owns its water, light
and swereage system.
The council has conferred to-
gether In regard TO this matter. and |
think the concensus OF opinion is that
Il would not be to the interest Of the
city. but would be detrimental and
would possibly put its plant ont 4
business II a franchise as requested
by Mr.. Fountain was granted.
In regard to the granting Of fran
chises between private individuals, we
might say that as between private in
tividuals that the right to grant all
individual exclusive franchises Is not
tolerated under our laws. but the rule
Is different regarding municipal owner
chip. The town owns the plant In be-
half OF the people: II is operated in the
interest Of the people; they all have
an interest In the plant. and by reason
OF such. the city has the right to an
exclusive franchise and can deny lac
cording TO my views) the granting OF
this franchise.
The city. as the council realizes, has
gone to a large expense. investing over
Sl2s.0 900. and has built up n system
that I believe. has given general sat.
isfaction. had my attention called
to the rates fixed throughout the State,
and find that this town is lower than
Ennis. Corsicana. Galveston: in fact.
think Il gives the people the lowest
minimum rate In Texas. We find that
where municipal plants have been
taken over by private individuals or
corporations they charge a much high.
er rate than is charged by our city au-
thorities.
Now. another thing in regard to the
plant-when the water light and sew.
erage plant was owned by private
corporation in this town we had about
fifty hydrants here. The city paid
from $40 TO SIS a hydrant per annum.
Since then we have installed one hun
bred and fifty.three hydrants. At SIS
would be $500. that is now free water
In case OF fire. In addition TO that we
have put In lights on Main street and
street lights that are furnished free
to property owners over the city, con.
sisting OF about two hundred outside
OF Main street. II you grant fran.
chise to a private individual or cor.
~S-st~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
have to come from somewhere. and II
now looks like any additional weight
laid on the peoples backs would
strain them to the breaking point.
The contract for the sidewalks on
either side Of Bryan street has been