Omaha daily bee., 1915-08-29
BLAIR IN DARKNESS
AFTER LIGHT ROW
Blair City Council and Electric
Light Company Lock Horns and
the Town is in Darkness.
CANDLES IN GOOD DEMAND

BLAIR, Neb., Aug. 2S.-(Special
Telegram. Except where candles
and kerosene lamps are in use, Blair
is in total darkness tonight. Not an
electric light is glimmering at any
point within the corporate limits.
The town has gone back to the print
tive method OF lighting and the wis
est men here will not make a predic-
ton as to how long the present con-
ditions are to continue.
The present light, or rather lack of
light, conditions have been brought
on by the city council and the Blair
Light and Power company locking
horns
Some weeks ago at a special cleo
ton bonds in the sum of $35, 600
were voted, part of the proceeds to
be used in the purchase Of the plant
that has been in operation for years,
or for the installation of a municipal
plant.
Have the Cash Ready.
the bonds were marketed and the
81, 900 put in the bank Negotiations be-
tween the city council and the officers
of the old plant were began. The city
Offered $4,000 for the plant and the COM
pany demanded $4,000 None of the par
ties would make concessions and the
matter came to a showdown today. when
after a meeting OF the city council. the
lighting people were told that they would
have to accept $4,000 or move their plant
cut OF town They asserted that they
would move before they would accept
dollar less than $4,000 They were told
20 go.
This afternoon the moving process
commenced. Bulbs OF incandescent lights
and globes Of street lamps were taken
off and wires disconnected.
Tonight when darkness came there
were no lights, either on the streets, in
business houses or homes A hurried
trip was made by city officials TO the
plant Of the electric light company.
There they were told that the company
was preparing TO move out and that the
current would not be turned on again.
Old Lamps I'm Demand.
Kerosene lamps were dug up out of at
tics and out of Easements, the wicks
trimmed and lighted The stores were
raided for candles and in a short time the
supply was exhausted. Still, It is pretty
dark around town, for there is not a ray
of light except what is shed by the lamps
and the candles.
What Is going to be the outcome of the
controversy nobody will even venture to
guess. The members OF the council as
Fert that they will stand on the $4,000
proposition and on the other hand, the
electric light people are Just as firm In
asserting that the city VIII pay the sum
asked for the plant, or go without light
until new plant can be installed. which
will be at the shortest time, ninety days
60 six months.
There is talk OF legal proceedings, but
up to this time It has not been deter
mined what proceedings to secure light
must be instItut~d.
The light company has fought the is
suing OF the bonds even to obtaining an
Injunction to prevent 1t, but the suit was
decided in favor of the city.
Recently the city had an electrical en-
g1neer from lincoln appraise the old
plant and he fixed the value at about
$4,000. ii
Buying Temporary Plants.
Messrs. Robinson and Hopewell of the
Home theater are In Omaha tonight to
buy light plant for their moving pic
ture show. Tom osterman of the Blair
Democrat will run his auto up to the
ride of his building and attach It TO his
press for JobNwork tomorrow.
The service given by the present COM
pany IL the best the city has had for n
number OF years and public sentiment is
in favor Of buying the plant at a fair
price.
Cleveland. o.. capitalists own the local
plant.