Omaha daily bee., 1916-11-27

distribution in the outlying and most
needed residential sections.
This will give US instead of LAY
street lamps, lass lamps, without any
added expenditures. OF course, 2,4SS
lamps are not adequate to light the
city as it should be, nor to light it as
most of the cities OF its size in this
country are lighted; but it is all that
the available revenues will permit to
be installed and will vastly improve
the existing light conditions of the
city.
Excellent Type.
The type of lamp selected and pro-
vided for by the contract in question
seems very generally to be regarded
as excellent. very efficient and entirely
up to date. No provision OF the con-
tract has been allowed to be inserted
without careful attention. The carry
ing poles are to be ornamental and
in the downtown districts to have
placed thereon ornamental street
signs. Lamps outside the downtown
section are to be suspended or an
chored in the most convenient man
ner and so as to yield the highest and
best results.
The contract protects the city
against damages which might be oc-
casioncd to persons in connection
with either the installation of the fix
lures or their maintenance. 1t further
provides that, should the city elect
to acquire the companys plant, prof
its to result from the unexpired
period of the contract shall not be
taken into consideration as an item
Of value to be allowed the company
All Is Fine.
In brief, the undersigned feel that
everything has been done which it is
possible to do to procure the greatest
amount of light possible with the
money available for that purpose, and
to give such light the widest possible
distribution to the end that sections of
the city now without light, but paying
their part Of the tax, may have fair
share of the street lighting.
The objections urged against the
proposed contract, so far as such
have come to our attention, do not
relate to the prices per lamp fixed
in the contract, do not relate to the
number Of lamps which will be avail
able for wider distribution, and do
not relate to the failure on the part
of the city to take all required steps
fully to protect the city's interest in
every contingency which apparently
might arise; but relate to the claim
or contention that the effect of such
contract might be to postpone, for
time, the possibility Of certain pre-
liminary desired steps and proceed
ings, having for their purpose ulti-
mately either the construction or pur-
chase OF an electric light plant by the
city. The city is asked to forego
certain definite, much desired, and
tangible results offered by the con-
tract in question, out of fear merely
that the acceptance thereof might re-
suit in postponement of an indef-
mite and underlined program now ap-
parently incubating in the minds Of
a few. Whether this is or is not re-
ward sufficient, you are to say.
won't interfere.
However, it has not been made to
appear that the proposed contract
would in any wise interfere with or
postpone any legitimate program,
having for its end either the acquisi-
ton or the construction of a munic-
ipal plant If the existing plant is to be
acquired, then the contract does not
stand in the way, nor will it burden
the acquisition, because it is so pro-
vided plainly in the contract. II a
plant is to be constructed by the city,
then all dependable experience and
advice unite in assuring that the pro-
posed contract will have run its full
course and expired by its own limita-
tons Give years. before such plant
would be ready for successful! opera
ton and service.
The foregoing are submitted as full
justification for our official course In
enacting the ordinance into law and
in the full belief that honest consid-
GRAFTON of the best interests of the
city would neither approve nor justify
any other course OF action on our
part. Respectfully submitted,
JAMES c. DAHLMAN,
w. S. JARDINE,
c. H. WITHNELL,
GEORGE PARKS,
A. c. KUGEL.
J. B. HUMMEL