The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1916-03-28
PLANT NOT FEASIBLE
Continued from Page one.j

questions involved with the utmost
fairness to each contracting party. 1t
should be borne in mind on the one
hand that the city is entitled to serv-
ice at a reasonable rate, which would
be the cost OF production plus living
profit to the company; and on the
other hand that the company is an i'm
p0ftant industrial enterprise Of the
city, and should be encouraged. ana
It's hands upheld 50 long as it is will
ing TO cooperate with the city. ard
furnish the service ut such reasonable
rate.
The utilities operated by the com
paGy are not only important items
upon the tax assessment rolls OF the
city, but standing advertisements Of
the city's stability ana progressive
ness, and lend dignity to the commun-
ity.
is Old Contract.
The former street lighting contract
was made with the city by the old
Hattiesburg Light & Power Company
in April, 1905, and therefore. will ex-
pire April 1917. Many developments
have occurred in the electrical field
since the date OF that contract, and
conditions have materially changed in
the city of Ilatticsburg The present
management of the Traction Company,
having iii view its own interest, as
well as the good of the community,
and better lighting OF the community.
about a year ago took up with the
City Commissioners Il proposal look
ing to the making OF d new lighting
contract A proposition was then sub
mitted, which would not only have
saved the city 81, 230 a year on the
contract, over the cost under the old
contract. but also have provided sixty
more lights upon the streets OF the
city. thus increasing materially the
lighted area Of the city.
This proposition Oh the part OF the
company was made by the develop
mcnt Of the tungsten lamp, which was
to be substituted for the heavy and
expensive are lights called for by the
old contract. This proposal was
pressed upon the attention of the com
mission, but though the matter has
been discussed from time to time, no
agreement was ever reached The
company has stood ready. frankly 10
discuss the provisions Of the proposed
contract at any time, and has suggest
ed from time to time that DISTINGUISHED
and competent engineers be consulted
and called in to advise as to the rea-
Of the proposed terms o.
the company
The company now stands ready to
discuss the terms in entire frankness,
and has advanced the suggestion,
which we note has also appeared in
The IIattiesburg News, that the bust
ness men OF the community be called
in by the commission to advise with
them, and to assist in evolving a rea-
sOnablc contract.
Regrets Anderson Bill.
Naturally the management Of the
regretted to note the intro
duction Of the bill in the Legislature.
which, it is frankly admitted, Origi-
mated with one of our commissioners,
was introduced III the Legislature ut
is designed for the purpose Of aiding
in the establishment OF a municipal
street lightingplant. No proposal had
ever been submitted by the commits
sion to the company, and terms sug
gcstcd by the commission for consid
GRAFTON by the company, and the com
pany had the right to assume that the
would submit Il PROPOSE
ton before considering other means
OF lighting the streets. Noting that
the bill as introduced, provided by
its express terms, tina! r should not
be necessary to submit the question Of
building municipal plant and issuing
notes therefor, TO a vote of the people,
the Traction Company management
and other citizens, and The News very
properly protested, and the bill in the
of the House was amended
TO require an election.
As taxpayers, the officers of the
have, and as substantial
taxpayer itself, has a right to and does
object to other features Of the pro-
posed statute. These objections are
first:
Why Bill Is Faulty.
The phraseology to section one.
When the income or saving, or both.
to the municipality. arising rc0m The
operation of such plants, will in ten
years, equal the investment in the
PLANT" is ambiguous. 1t is not stated