Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1915-11-12
GARD FROM FOUNTAIN BROS.
To the Taxpayers and Citizens of

Al the last regular meeting OF the
City Council. October Sih. the under
signed. representing foreign capital
that We are DESTROYS OF securing for
this community. and without hope OF
personal reward more than our mem.
bership as taxpayers and citizens Of
Bryan. presented petition to that
body for n fifey-year franchise for
electric lights and power.
The petition above referred to was
not acted upon by your representatives
In the council, except that II was
placed In the hands OF committee Of
the council whose report is due at the
meeting OF the council Friday night
November 18th.
The franchise which we propose. as
will he seen by careful reading OF
the minutes on the records OF the city.
provides for very material reduction
In the expense OF living for all persons
hho use lights. water and power In the
city OF Bryan.
DO the merchants and business men.
the mechanics. planters and profession.
al men. who own business and resi-.
dental property In Bryan ever expect
to get any material reduction In the fire
insurance rates whilst our citizens, as
a measure OF economy. are Obliged to
use kerosense oil and ascetylene for
lights. and gasoline engines for power
In Bryan? We think not.
DO you. as present citizens OF Bryan
ever expect to secure new enterprises
and industries from other communi.
ties, whose business may necessitate
the use OF water or power at the rates
now obtaining here? We think not.
The argument has been advanced
that we are trying not only to run the
present plant out OF Bryan. but more
over to deprive the city OF Bryan of
profit which the corporation is now
making. Let the people pause to con.
slider these matters from business
standpoint. keeping In mind the fact
that the corporation OF Bryan Is its
membership. its citizens. its consumers
OF water and electricity. Is II not
true that whatever profit is made by
the city OF Bryan. as a city. is derived
from It's citizens. who are paying this
tribute in the form of excessive rates
for the necessities OF life? Does the
city of Bryan. which is owned by the
citizens. secure the full benefits Oh
these high rates for water and cleo.
tricity?
The argument is made that the city
OF Bryan has very low tax rate on ac.
count Of the PROFITS from its sale
of electricity and water. Have the
thinking citizens taken the trorLle to
ascertain how much. IL any lower. the
taxes are by reason OF this arrange.
ment. and II they are lower. is I, no,
a fact hat the pc ,ple themselves are
paying the taxes indirectly. plus the
profit. 20 private persons. in the form
OF water and electric rentals?
II is not cur aim to deprive the city
OF Bryan Of its revenues: on the con.
trary. we propose to save the citizens
Of Bryan $500 each in electricity for
every 80 cents now saved In taxes. II
II is shown there are any savings In
taxes. The poor people who own very
little taxable property are entitled to
the same consideration as the large
property owners: to save the wealthy
$4,000 In taxes at the expense of 100000
to be borne by the small consumer is
neither just nor equitable.
The argument Is sometimes heard
that the city. at a future date. expects
to lower the present rates. How is
this possible. when the city fails to
set aside a sinking fund to take care
OF renewals OF Its present property?
Thinking people know that In the
course OF three or four years water
pipes. meters. wires. poles. etc. will
have to be replaced with new ones.
To accomplish this. when the time ar.
rives and II Is imperative to purchase
thousands of dollars worth of mate.
rails, some OF which is now needed.
will this not be an added burden 10 the
citizens OF Bryan? II the city of
Bryan believes. through It's councilmen.
that the city's property 1. e.. the cleo.
trio lines. will be rendered valueless
by the granting OF a franchise. we are
prepared to purchase said property at
Its true value in order to remove such
an objection. or we are willing to sell
the city electricity at less than It Is
now paying for the same. and at the
same time give much improved service
by extension of the system.
The argument is advanced that the
city has contract to purchase its
electricity and power. and therefore is
morally bound to continue charging
the citizens these higher prices. Our
lawmakers. so we are told. have on |