Smyrna times., 1919-03-05
R0ND ISSUE FOR ELECTRIC
PLANT UP TO OUR CITIZENS
puL TO PASS LEGISLATURE RE-
pERRED TO PROPERTY OWNERS

puL TO PASS LEGISLATURE RE-
rERRED TO PROPERTY OWNERS
Suecial Election To Be Called Immed-
lately Upon Its Passage to Vote
"FOr" or against" the Project.
At the session of the Delaware Leg
stature Monday, Senator L. M.
Prices bill authorizing the Town of
Smvrna to borrow $4,000 for re-
modelling its electric light plant, pass
Cd the Senate but with a referendum
vote. It will have no trouble in pass
ing the House. With the referendum
amendment" it means that the citizens
of Smyrna will have to vote on the
bond issue before the money can be
borrowed. At the meeting of Town
Council, Friday evening, this turn in
the state of affairs was discussed and
while. regret was expressed that the
nroiect of a standardized electric
light plant and day current would
have to suffer a delay, Councilmen
generally expressed themselves favor
able to a vote of the people on the
issue. Councilman Jefferson moved
that as soon as the bill passed both
houses of the Legislature and was ap-
proved by the Governor, that Secre-
tary Porter at once advertise notice in
conformity with the town charter call
ing for a special election to vote "For"
and Against" the borrowing of
money for this much needed improve
ment. His motion was carried amin
Ously. Every citizen of Smyrna
will have as many votes as the num-
ber of dollars he pays in town taxes.
Those owning property will have
more say than the "head tax" citizen
and so after all, the property owners
will decide the issue. Members of
Town Council and all progressive cit
liens feel that Smyrna will not turn
down the opportunity to make it's
electric light plant up-to-date, add on
day current for power to increase the
revenues of the plant.
Smyrna Light Plant Needs Repairs.
That Smyrna's electric light plant
has seen it's day and needs rehabili-
tating, is an undisputed fact. Smyrna
is obliged to spend a considerable
amount of money on the plant and
water works, whether day current is
to be had or not. This is a forgOne
conclusion. Then such being the case
progressive citizens all over town ar
que that if money must be spent on
plant repairs, why not modernize it
and make it a revenue builder. To be
sure, taxes will have to be raised at
first, but when the electric plant be-
comes thoroughly self-sustaining and
brings in a revenue which it promises
under current for power and light and
power for the town of Clayton there
is no reason why taxes should not be
reduced and Smyrna given more funds
to met the needs of the municipality
Its progressive move in which every
Smyrna property owner and citizen
should take a pride. Smyrna is the
only town of any size on the Della
ware-Maryland Peninsula that does
not have and enjoy continuous electric
current. Day current besides helping
to promote and encourage home in
dustries, in affording them a much
needed power, will Tighten the bur-
dens of house-keepers in the many
electrical devices now employed fol
sweeping. cooking, running sewing
machines, electric fans &c. There is
no telling the revenue which in time
will be derived from the sale of day
current. In addition to this, electric
lights will always be available es-
pecially on dark days, and for dark
cellars and places where light is
more or less needed.
This Progressive Step up to Citizens
Every citizen and property owner
who has paid his taxes will have
chance to vote on this important ques
ton and as long as the town of Smyr
ma is in the business of furnishing
electric current for night lighting
why not do the thing right and ado
more funds to the town treasury by
adding on day current for power. A
modern, standardized 60-cycle power
plant will do this for Smyrna. Tow
Council is asking to borrow $4,000
1t may not cost any more than $4,000
frank Collins, Smyna's competen
consulting engineer, can be depended
upon to give advise in manner t.
give Smyrna an up-to-date plant a
Thn lon-4