Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-11-26
HANSCOM PARKERS
IN LIGHT DEBATE
Howell Again Unable to Make
Definite Statements of the
Policy He Will Pursue.
VALUATION BIG QUESTION

more begged the question when asked
to state even approximately how long
it would take to bring to pass some OF
the electric light plant probabilities he
offered in his attack upon the five
year lighting contract which he is OPP
posing. Only thirty-hve persons OF
total membership Of $40 responded to
written invitations to attend the meet
ing, explanation having been made in
advance that Mr.. Howell would dis
cuss the street light situation. Sew
eral of those present were either in
the personal service OF Mr. Howell or
were there at his personal solicita-
ton.
Would Take Years.
"Mr. Howell tells you how he can
do certain things, but he does not tell
you when they will be done. We know
he failed in his purpose before the
legislature two years ago and it is
likely he will have just as hard a
proposition before the legislature this
winter. Even il he should get the
legislation he seeks, it would take a
period OF years to get municipal
plant in operation" interposcd +. w.
Sinnett, president OF the United I'm
provement clubs, Of which the Hans
com Park Improvement club is affili-
ated.
Continuing, he said: 1T would take
four or FIVE years at the least before
he could carry out his plans. Should
Omaha wait that long to get street
1ights' 1t is quite generally UNDER
stood that the light company will
agree to the 6-cent rate ordinance
without controversy II the fve-year
contract is allowed. Is it good policy
to forego the positive proposition OF
getting an adequate street lighting
system at once and at the same time
take the chance of losing the 6-cent
rate, al least for timer
Would Accept Rate.
''Inasmuch as Mr.. Howell cannot
guarantee us anything definite, 1t
would be good business policy for
Omaha to endorse the hve-year con-
4 tract on December and thereby get
the benefit Of better street lighting
and the 6-cent rate"
I'VE have the power now to build a
competing plant" remarked Mr..
Howell.
Then why don't you use that
powerf" asked Mr.. Sinnett.
Becausc that power rests within
The city council and not the Water
board" was the reply.
Haven't you the same privilege OF
gefiE to the legislature this winter II
the contract should be approved by
the votcrsl" was the next query.
Yes, but we should keep one OF
our hands free replied Mr., Howell.
Keeping One Hand Free.
Mr.. Howell's explanation Of keeping
one hand free is that he assumes he
will get what he wants from the legis-
lature, namely, to give the Water
board power to build competing
light plant, and he further assumes
that he will then be able to light the
streets from this plant and the money
which the city might otherwise pay to
the light company for street lighting
would be paid to the Water board for
the service of its light plant. He also
explained that he wanted this power
vested in himself and the Water board
so that he might hold il as club over
the light company to compel il to sell
its plant at such figure as the Water
board might dictate, or meet the alter
native of competing plant.
viii you guarantee Omaha s.
cent rate as shown in your Cleveland
outlinef' was asked.
As Low IS Lowest.
II won't take that seriously, but
] will say that never told you any
thing that did not come true. Just
behave what | say; no city will have
lower rate, all things being equal
II ] have anything to do with an
Omaha electric light plant" was the
reply 81 Mr. Howell.
The water plant manager placed
much stress upon the Cleveland light
plant, which he said represented an
investment OF 100000, and he went
upon the assumption that Omaha
could build competing plant of that
size for the same cost, failing to ex-
plain that machinery and other ap.
purtenances Of an. electric light plant
and system have nearly doubled in
cost in the last year and will remain
at such high cost for several years
hence. He based his Cleveland COM
parsons on the assumption thai
Omaha could build plant as cheap
~ as that OF the Ohio city.
Another question from the presi.
dent of the United Improvement
clubs: "You admit, Mr.. Howell, thai
you may be defeated at the legislature
this winter, and you won't guarantee
Scent rate-then, wouldn't it be
wise to accept the 2-cent reduction
offered by the present company and
get the immediate benefits OF more
and better street lights at oncei"
The company has not said they
would not give US the Decent rate i
the street lighting contract is not ap,
proved" Mr.. Howell replied.
Taxes and Rates.
George Kleffner asked Mr.. How
ell If 1t would not be better for tht
water board to furnish water free fol
fire hydrant and public building pur
poses and maintain water rate pro
portionately higher, than to coilec
from the city $l48,o00 a year in til,
form Of taxation and then make /;
slight reduction in the water rat,
10 offset that tax.
The water plant managers repl,
was, The equalization Of taxation i.
oftre,neudoue ftuesfinn II IL ra.as