The Lamar register., 1919-03-12
City Wins Decision
Utilities Commission Decides Lamar Is
Entitled To Own Its Own
Light Plant

minimum charge of Sl25 as against
high rates charged to those who have
metcred service.
Evidence was produced that in the
town of Wiley, which is furnished cleo
tricity from the Lamar plant of the
lntermountain Company, during the
last three or four months the street
lights were out about half the time on
account of the poor service, and part
of the time lamps were not installed
after being burned out; that the Inter
mountain Company was unable to fur
nish adequate service to light resi-
dences and mills at Wiley, the lights
being dim and uncertain.
1t was shown that the street lighting
of the city of Lamar had been made
quate as to the quantity Of light, and
that although the Company had been
urged for considerable time to better
this condition nothing had been done
in that regard. 1t was further shown
that the street lighting in the city of
Lamar was inefficient; that several
times in December, 1918, and January,
1919, the street lights were out on
several occasions for an hour or more
at time in the evening; that for
power purposes in newspaper offices.
stores, mills and garages the current
was frequently shut off entirely, caus-
ing very unsatisfactory service and
loss to the proprietors of such bust
ness enterprises; that for lighting pur-
poses in stores, other business places
and residences the lighting service was
uncertain, fluctuating and very made
quate.
1t was shown that the service fur
nished the Kornman mill of the Denver
Alfalfa Milling & Products Company
was very unsatisfactory ;that although
the plant, since the fall of 1918, had
not operated later than $3.50 p. M, it
had been obliged to shut down many
times, at the suggestion of the Inter
mountain Company. as often as three
or four times in one day; that during
the entire season the milling company
had received insufficient power; that
this company had on several occasions
furnished coal to the Intermountain
Company on account of that company
being short of coal; that in the grind
ing of hay this mill had been serious
ly handicapped on account Of failure
to receive power.
Representatives of the city further
proved that they proposed to submit
to the voters thereof on April /, 1919,
the question of authorizing the city
council of said city to erect electric
light works for the purpose of sup
plying the city and the inhabitants
thereof with electric light and power,
the said works to be owned, managed
and operated by the said city, and
further to submit to the electors of
said city on said date the question of
authorizing the city council to contract
an Indebtedness on behalf Of the city
upon the credit thereof by issuing
DoHuS lHtitgi III tilt akEftBdtt diiouiib
of s45, 100000 for the purpose of con-
struction a plant to supply electric
light.
1t was further shown on behalf of
the city, that on September 81, 1918,
increased rates were granted the In
termountain Company by this Com
mission, consisting of surcharge of
20 per cent applied to the bills for
all commercial lighting, heating and
cooking consumption in the city of
Lamar, the town of Wiley and adjacen.
territory, together with certain other
rates mentioned in the Commissions
order of said date.
The evidence of the Intermountain
Company does not differ materially
from that produced by the city as to
the above. matters. The company.
sought 10 justify these conditions on
the ground that it was unable to Sc
cure efficient employees on account of
war conditions. 1t is true that all