The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-06

two times" declared MT. Long, and we do not want them there now. The pub lie service commission represents the people of this state and l urge you now not to permit this company to come into Jasper. Of course, we are willing for 1t to come if 1t is willing to give us the proper rates, but 1t is not, and we be- iieve the interests of Jasper and it's peo- pie will be best served by Keeping this company out
 MT. Long charged that the Alabama Power company is attempting to gooble up'' everything in Alabama. Why, the very name is a fraud. he declared Tt is no Alabama company. It's 1orepart IS in London Its hindpart in New York and Montreal and its gobble part IS In Alabama. It is attempting to gopoie up everything forever. It's franchises pro- vide that it's grant shall pc continued forever. It's original franchise in Jasper provided that it should operate forever. The city authorities voted against it. But the paper was resurrected the next day and eternity was changed to 90 years and permission was granted to the com pany.'
 cbise to the company which operated the
 electric plant provided that the city at
 the expiration of five-year periods
 would have the right to purchase the
 property, and that the rates charged for
 electric current in Jasper should be the
 same as charged by the electric com
 panies in Birmingham.
 Both of these provisions were elim-
 mated from the franchise which the
 Alabama Power company is seeking to
 use in Jasper" charged MT. Long.
 ..They make no mention of the right of
 the city to take over the property later, although the city is pledged to the idea of municipal ownership. They seek to force upon Jasper long franchise, a
 perpetual one if possible.
 Many towns in Alabama already are hog<tied by perpetual franchises granted to this company. 'Tis said that the earth will cease to exist, and that the sometime. But two things are per petual-the soul of man and a franchise Of the Alabama Power company" MT. Long urged the commission to issue an order forbidding the use of the fran chise in Jasper and the transfer of the property to the company. He also charged that the Alabama Power com pany had offered to furnish electricity to Jasper at one time at cents per kllo- eatt hour, although now 1t attempts to levy a higher rate This charge was de- ned in toto by Thomas w. Martin.
 general counsel and vice president of the
 company.
 Another representative or the Jasper
 delegation said he understood this prop
 osition was made by R. A. Mitchell, rep resentative of the company. MT. Mitch ell denied that he ever made such propo- sition.
 It was also stated that the Alabama Power company Is furnishing current to the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company at mills per klowatt hour Yes" said N-s Martin, 'and we will be willing to furnish it at this rate to any other person or corporation which will consume between S0,00O,0o0 and 90,0o0.- GOO kilowatt hours.'
 Mir Martin and other attorneys for the company defended the request for per- mission to take over the Jasper property, contending that it is purely business proposition and one which will benefit the citizens of Jasper. He said the city had granted the company the privilege of operating in Jasper and was willing for it to take over the property.