Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1915-11-13
FRANCHISE FOR LIGHTS
AND POWER REJECTED
Council Works Harmonipusly on All Questions
Coming Before Them-Contract for Side.
walks on Bryan Street Was Let

poratlon the city will pay $500 for
hydrants and about 2.iOO for lights.
II read Mr.. Fountains article to-
night, and he states that the council Is
making no provision for sinking
fund, but he must understand that the
revenues derived from the plant
monthly goes into the up-keep II the
new corporation established a plant
there would be ten per cent wear
and tear every year and on an invest.
ment of sl2s,00O which would be re-
Quired TO meet the demands OF this
town. they would have TO exact OF the
people at least si2.s0O TO provide
against depreciation. besides what
they would charge the people for wa
ter, light and sewerage.
I'VE believe that the people of this
town are interested In their water.
light and sewerage plant: that large
majority are In favor Of municipal
ownership We have municipal own
ership now. and don't believe this
council should take any action what.
ever that would cripple this plant In
any way.
THAT the city OF Bryan has the ex-
elusive right 10 this franchise In be-
half OF the people. don't think can be
questioned. and under the law. be-
lleve. they have a right not TO grant
a franchise to any private individual
or corporation In opposition TO the
plant owned by the city OF Bryan.
Il feel like encouraging all propo-
sitions. but that whenever You grant
n franchise TO corporation or private
person to carry on business in opposi-
ton to your water. light and sewerage
system. then your plant becomes worth
less. and for that reason believe this
franchise should not be granted"
A general discussion followed in
which MIR. Fountain said: The
proposition is. our rate Is nine ninety
against fifteen that you are now pay.
ing. and this question is-would II
pay the city to adopt THIS proposition
or continue to pay FROM thirty.fi,e tn
forty per cent more for their lights
than they can get from u.s.
This led to further discussion by the
council. whereupon Alderman Wilson
moved that the franchise not be grant.
ed. The motion was seconded by Al.
derman Haswell and the vote as re-
corded was unanimous in favor Of the
motion.
The next matter was presented by
J. L. Edge. who appeared before the
council rs committe from the Com
mercial Club In regard to establishing
hitching posts ON the side streets for
the convenience OF the community at
large. This matter was referred to
the street and finance committee.
J. J. Ray appeared before the coun.
ell and made application for the posi-.
ton OF city sexton. This matter was
referred to the cemetery committee
with power 10 act.
Sealed bids for city scavenger were
drought 20 the attention OF the coun-
cil. but action on this matter was de-
ferred until January LIST on account OF
the year being now near the close.
The grades for curbs and cutters
on Dallas street as made by the city
engineer were made permanent.
Bids were received for the building
OF sidewalks on both sides Of Bryan
street. the contract being let TO the
lowest bidder, T. u Hubbard. at Is "a
centsper square foot.
A claim from A. J. Wagner. brought
by his attorneys, for 5000 damages to
his property ON Bryan street by re-
cent excavations. etc. was presented
and refused by vote OF the council.
However. the council indicated a will.
ingness TO provide. at the city's expense.
proper means OF access TO and from
this property.
The chairman OF the finance com
mittee reported the retirement OF one
OF the deep-well notes amounting TO
81. 900. This was the means Of appar-
ent pleasure by the body. This amount
was reserved from utilities department
and pays the first borrowed obliga-
ton dating back only seven months.
Council adjourned TO meet Thurs
day night. November 18th. at
o'clock.