Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1918-01-31
TO THE CITIZENS OF
MANSFIELD

| Mansfield Light Il Power Co.,
took it upon N! self 10 personal
make some inves igation of tn
matter ana | feel that | shouI,
say something which l hope vii
beneficial to the citizens as vel
! as TO the light plant.
The Mansfield Light & Powel
Co. was grapted a franchise tt
manufacture and sell current
and p"wer to our citizens in Ap
riI, 1912. This franchise given
was for 10 years.
Until LIST June, think all will
agree with me that the company
has served US we'll and given US
good lights, both for street and
commercial purposes.
The company seeing the nee,
essity of adding the ice. plant to
make the money invested q pay
ing prOpositiun, installed the ice
machine at an additional cost and
Sacrifice. During the summer
season, the ice business has ina.
t"rially relieved the Mansfield
Light & Power Co., but the ma.
chinery ins, allied for lights alone
is inadequate to carry the load
necessary tt manufacture both,.
which now neccssitates a com.
plete change in machinery. The
company is wi ling to make this
change and expects to do so, if
the citizens a'e willing to be len,
lent until such "a time as the
change can be made. The ex.
treme increase in the prices of
machinery, fuel and materials
necessary for the operation of
the plant makes it hard for the
comoany to operate on a pay ing
basis and it is proposition Of
live and. let live.
In on interview with DR.. F B.
Fnsnn OF Springfield, president
of the conrauy, suggested that
the company turn on the lights
at 4:3O a. IL. instead of at 5 on
accounted the early trains, gar
ages. hotels. L staurants and
postntlire, which have to be open
early. To this he readily con
seut~d and also said that if any
lodge function, or gathering of
any sort, during t l.; EN- barge
W 'uld hold later hours, he would
instruct the engineers to contin
ue the lights, If the n ed Of such
service is te'ephoned to the plan,
in advance. consider this a
faiE proposition on the part o4
bhe company.
Both the president and the
secretary of the company are
we'll known to our cltizeDs. Dr.
Fuson is doing all he IN in thu
matter; although he is a non res
Gent, he owns proper ty here and
s interested in Mansfield the I
same as if dc lived h re Walter
). Coday, secretary and mana
ger, bls al Says put his shoulder
% the wheel but, b' ing called to
he colors, leaves the plant with
'ut head and with not single =
'tockholder Lying in Mansfield.
AS understand it, the com
'any is willing that the plant :
hopld be turned over to munici
'al ownership, through the pro.
'er channels, or is willing that
he merchants and citizens &C.
Iuire number Of shares, givi' g =
hem controlling interest.
The present management of
he plaht,in obedience to orders,
eturned to the early evening and
lorning service, which was not v
matter for either the company q
+ the management of the plant
decide, but to comply with b
he Federal and State order to c
onserve fuel. l believe that the q
ltiz ms should be lehient in help. !,
" the company carry out this "
rdtr.
l understand the Mountain q
rove light plant closes down N
'om midnight until 5 a. m., and o
le S ymour plant from 10 p. IN.
ga IN. d
l feel in a measure that l was ii
esponsible for the light plants Ec'
eing located here. for you will tt
a few years ago or
anized the Young Mems Busi. "
ess Club, and the night of the W
49,. L