The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1916-12-06

Continued from page one.)
expires in July. 1918. and the matter
is brought UP at this time. in con-
temptation Of the renewal of such
franchise.
Preliminaries Already Taken.
Fargo already has taken some action
toward the establishment of NUM-
cipal plant, having an authorized bond
issue of $4,000, as we'll as having ex-
pended some money at the city filtra-
ton plant in the way of foundation
for a prospective power plant.
These facts are cited by the Fargo
Trades and Labor assembly in the
resolution, which resolution also con-
tends that present rates as maintain
ed by the Union Light, Heat & Power
company, are too high. The resolution
follows:
On July 6, 1918 the franchise of the
Union Light, Heat & Power Co., ex-
pires and mo doubt new franchise
will be asked from your honorable
body.
We emphatically protest the grant,
ing of a new franchise to the Union
Light, Heat & Power Co., at the
exorbitant rate charged consumers of
and power by this Company, when the
cost OF producing electric current has
been reduced to a minimum by the
installation OF modern electric ma
chinery.
We most earnestly request that your
honorable body proceed to fulfill the
| request of the citizens OF this city as
registered by their votes on the es-
tablishnent of a municipal electric
light plant and for which a bond issue
OF $4,000 was provided and of which
$4,000 has already been expended for
fittings, ct cetera, at the new filtration
plant, the balance Of the above fund
now being in the hands of the city
treasurer and unexpended.
Now therefore, we request that steps
be taken toward the establishment oi
IA municipal electric light plant for
the benefit Of the city and taxpayers
as provided for in the bond issue cleo
| tion.
We would only concede the granting
| of a franchise to the Union Light
Heat & Power Co., for such time as
| the city would require for the building
OF its own electric plant.
! We would only favor a franchise
which would protect the consumer,
and give them a satisfactory rate and
also give the city an adequate rat,
for street and ornamental lighting, a
a rate as stated below. ef9
The company to furnish arc light,
4 for the city streets at a rate of 81!
| per light per year, and punches o.
incandescent lights for the same pur.
/ pose at rate of SIS per bunch pei
year: also to charge for ordinary com
mercial lighting at rate not to ex.
ceed 6 cents per kilowatt hour. or ir
| case OF contracts not more than
cents per kilowatt hour where from 2O(
to 500 kilowatts are used or over Az
cents when more than 500 are used pei
month; also to give rates on power
| current on the following basis
|. On mo%ors l horse power and les.
4.5 cents per klowatt hour, minimum
| charge 80 cents per month; on motors
| / to horse power cents, minimum
charge so cents per horse power per
| month; on motors, 5 to Is horse power.
80 cents, minimum charge so cents per
horse power per month; on motors
over Is horse power. "a cents, mini
mum charge 80 cents per horse power
per month. For heating purposes. a
rate Of "a cents per kilowatt hour.
minimum charge 81 per month. In
lighting and motor contracts the load
factor is considered in making
individual rates.
We would also ask that before the
granting Of any electric franchise
public hearings be held at which citf-
zens and the electric company can
be heard as to the adequacy of the
above rates.