The Sun. [volume] (Price, Utah) 1915-1932, 1916-05-19
PRICE CITY COUNCIL WILL HAVE TO KEEP
ON WRESTLING WITH A LIABILITY.

Price voters have by their ballot expressed
themselves in favor of the city retaining and
operating its own electric light and power plant.
Most people voted on this proposition without
first acquainting themselves with the real facts,
and were inclined 10 listen more TO the appeal Of
designing politicians, who are anxious TO retain
the plant 10 be used as political football, than
10 look at the question from a purely business
point Of view.
The Sun does not think that any election
would have been held at this time had II not been
for the efforts of business men and some of the
members Of the former council (who had had
experience with the operation of the plant). go
ing TO the mayor after the council had practical
~ decided not 10 call an election and urging him
10 do so. Some of the very people who formerly
advocated the sale worked hard 10 defeat the
proposition and II Is hard TO understand the at
titude Of these persons.
IL Is up TO the present council TO do the very
best Il can with the operation of the plant cut
down expenses where II is possible to do 80 with
out interfering with its efficiency place meters
In all houses 80 that everybody will pay for just
what they consume instead Of giving n twenty
four hour service under flat rate. All should
be compelled TO pay their bills promptly or have
their service discontinued. as is customary in
other places. The idea Of allowing bills TO run
for months IL wrong. II makes II harder for the
consumer TO pay and the city eventually loses
the account. because the party cannot pay bill
Tor large amount where he could II paid as II
becomes due each month. This Is fair 10 ALL and
the council should not show any favorites. II II
falls on city official let II fall where IL belongs
This is the only way by which the city can get
the money for current consumed.
The Sun is not sufficiently conversant with the
situation TO say whether the expenses of opera
ting can be cut or not, but in order to make the
plant pay its own way the cost Of operation must
be reduced or the rates raised in order TO take
care of the deficiency. The people will not stand
for reduction In service, and since the lines and
transformers are too light TO carry load suffi.
cient TO furnish current for heating and cooking
whereby the revenues might be increased. and
as these revenues can be raised only by further
bonds, we see no way TO increase the service at
the present time.
However. the council no doubt will be able n
cope with the situation, and II the plant can be
run properly for less money. that body of bust
ness men will be able TO do il If anyone can
Therefore. all should get behind them and give
them moral support in trying TO accomplish this
end. II our lights are cut off because of failure
10 pay bills promptly, let us smile and take our
medicine. If il is necessary TO raise the rate in
order TO make the plant pay, let us stand by the
council and give them square deal They are
all business men Of ability; taxpayers on whom
the burden will fall well as ourselves. lnvesti-
gate the situation for yourself look over the
books Of the city and convince yourself that they
are not doing the square thing before condemn
ing them for things which YOU do not under
stand.