The Wahpeton times., 1918-08-15

Simonsen, Peschel, Frazier, and Har-
ris, Absent, Wolfe and Early.
c. B. Kidder, general manager of
said Otter Tail Co., appeared before
the council and explained the diff
culties of his company, due to the
fact that the drought for a number
of years had compelled it to operate
a considerable of the time by steam
power instead of water power; and
that, owing to the war conditions the
price of coal and other materials re-
quired to operate its plant, labor and
taxes had all increased greatly, and
that 1t was unable to operate its plant
and supply current at the present
rates charged to the consumers of
the City of Wahpeton; and that un.
less permission to increase its rates
were granted, it would be obliged to
either shut down or apply for the
fixing of new schedule of rates bv
arbitration as provided for in its
franchise with the city.
The Finance Committee reported
that it had given the matter as much
consideration as possible and that
they were of the opinion that the re-
quest of said Otter Tail Power Com
pany was fair and reasonable and
recommended that the application for
increase of rates be granted; and
Alderman Frazier offered the follow
ing resolution and moved it's passage
and adoption:
WHEREAS, On the 10th day of No
vember, 1908, an ordinance was duly
passed by the City of Wahpeton, which
was accepted by the Northern Light
Electric company, wherein and where
by said electric company undertook
and agreed to supply said city and its
inhabitants with electric current for
lighting and power purposes upon
the terms and conditions and at the
rates therein specified and agreed
upon, to which ordinance reference
is hereby made; and,
WHEREAS, The Otter Tail Power
company, corporation, has succeed
ed to the rights of said electric COM
pany under said ordinance, neither of
the parties had in contemplation war
conditions and results which would
naturally follow from the existence
Of state of war, but contracted sole
ly with reference to pea ce conditions
And,
WHEREAS, AS a result of the war
the prices of all materials, supplies
and labor have increased to a point
far In excess of what they were and
would be under peace conditions. and
that in consequence thereof the Otter
Tail Power Company is unable to
continue to furnish electric energy
under its said contract at the rates
therein specified. and said Otter Tail
Power Company has applied to the
City Council Of the City Of wahpeton
for permission to increase its rates
for electric servicessO as to authorize
said company to make surcharge Of
Is per cent in addition to the rates
provided in said contract. Therefore.
BE 1T RESOLVED BY THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF wAH.
PETON, NORTH DAKOTA:
That, from and after the date Of
the passage Of this resolution and
during the continuance of the war
and for period Of two years after
the war is concluded, the Otter Tail
Power Company is hereby authorized
to charge for electric energy supplied
by it under its said ordinance and
contract, the maximum rates now in
effect and in addition thereto sur
charge not to exceed Is per cent of
the said rates now in effect.
That this resolution shall become
null and void and all the rights and
privileges hereby granted shall cease
and terminate two years after the
time that war is concluded.
1t is provided, however, that this
resolution shall not in any manner
waive the right of arbitration on the
part of the City as provided for in
the aforesaid franchise, now in effect.
either during the period of the war
or thereafter; And.
Provided further, that the City re-
serves the right to investigate the
cost of the production of elecric cur
rent from time to time and to review
and revise this resolution at the end
OF every six months during said per-
|od for which increase of rates are
herein granted.
Motion for the adoption and pas.
sage Of said resolution was second
ed by Alderman Harris, and a roll