Omaha daily bee., 1916-02-22
LIGHT CONTRACT
PLACED ON FILE
Proposition Made at Request Of the
Council Turned Down-Would
Buy Equipment.
WOULD OPERATE JUST AS GAS

The city council committee of the
whole voted to place on file. at least
for the present, the contract pro-
peal received a week ago from the
Omaha Electric Light and Power
company for lighting of streets for
five years. II was proposed to re-
quest the light company to submit
a proposition for the sale of equip
ment to the city and a rate for cur
rent for the street lamps.
Representatives OF the Northwest
Federation OF Improvement clubs,
United Improvement clubs, Druid
Hill Improvement club, Fontenelle
Home Improvement club and the
Lincoln Heights Improvement club
protested against the city entering
II TO the proposed five-year contract.
One OF the propositions offered by the
Improvement clubs ives that the city own
its lighting equipment and buy current
from the light company until such time
as the city might have a municipal plant.
Il was proposed to submit a bond propo-
sition at the April primary election.
Requested by City.
Mayor Dahlman said: 1T want II TN
derstod that this proposition Of the light
company was made at the request of the
city council. I don't care whether the
contract Is let or not. but n It Is not let
! | want the people TO know the facts, and
to place the responsibility where It be-
/ longs. I know we need more lights.
Omaha Is not well lighted. II Will take
nearly five years to get municipal plant
| In operation. Under this contract pro-
| posal OF the light company we could get
nearly 500 more electric lamps at the
same yearly expense we are now pay
ing I am for municipal ownership, and ]
believe the way TO handle the electric
light situation would be TO acquire the
present plant through condemnation pro-
ceedings. / think we have some rights
also in the street railway company. and
] believe we are going to take that plant
/ too"
ButIer Wants Reduction.
Commissioner Butler disagreed with
the mayor by stating that a start should
be made now toward municipal street
lighting. He said it is not necessary
to wait for any action by the legislature.
He proposed the city should install some
lamps and use current from the Flor
ence water plant lie alleged that while
tho contract proposal of the light con-
tract appeared favorable on the face OF
H. the fact IL that the current 10 be
used under the proposed new system II
lamps would be about one-half OF the
current used for the old style OF lamps
I'm any event. l will not vote for this
contract until the light company offers
a reduction OF rates for householders. /"
said Mr.. Butler.
city 90 Bay Equipment.
Il Commissioner Jardine brought the dis
eussion TO a close by moving that the
contract be placed on file and the light
company asked TO present new propo-
sition. contemplating ownership OF equip.
ment by the city.
At the present time the city owns the
gas street lighting equipment. which IL
maintained by city employees, the ga
being bought from the company at tbs
regular rate.
During the discussion improvement
club representatives stated that they
would be willing to go another year OF
50 without adequate lights. pending the
installation OF a municipal system. Com.
missioner Jardlne remarked that trust.