The Pascagoula chronicle. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1905-1920, 1919-11-22
new FRANCHISE
IS ENDORSED
Representative Gathering of Citizens
and Taxpayers Hear Discussion
and Unanimously Approve
Ordinance.

AT the call of the city council a
meeting was held at the courthouse on
tuesday night, which was attended
by about one hundred representative
citizens and taxpayers. The franchise
ordinance granted A. B. Patterson and
associates for the operation of the wa.
terworks and electric lighting plant
was considered section by section and
each feature thereof fully discussed.
AT the conclusion of the reading and
discussion motion was carried by
rising vote approving the franchise as
read and pledging the support of those
present at the election to be held
later. Only one citizen voted against
the adoption of the motion and he ex.
planned his opposition on the ground
that the franchise did not provide for
the operation of the street railway.
The meeting was called to order by
the mayor, who introduced Mr.. Pat
| terson.
Mr.. Patterson read the ordinance
and answered fully and courteously
every question asked. He made a
splendid impression on the crowd by
the clear cut and convincing manner
in which he replied to every query.
The chief discussion centered on the
new water and light rates. These,
taken as whole, represent about
fifty or sixty per cent advance on the
old before the war rates. Inasmuch as
all costs in every other line have ad.
vanced from one hundred to three hun.
dred per cent, those present considered
the rates moderate and reasonable.
Mr.. Patterson presented figures to
show that the earnings at these rates
would barely exceed operating ex-
penses on the present volume of bust
ness, but candidly explained that his
company expected to increase their
earning capacity by very material ex-
tensions of both the water and light
systems and keep down operating
costs by the installation of the most
up-to-date machinery.
Fire protection and pure water
supply was the item of paramount i'm
portance to all present. The franchise
provides that in case of fire pressure
of 125 pounds is to be supplied on the
mains. This pressure is to be deter
mined by a meter established at such
a place as the council may direct.
Failure to provide such pressure up
to this point as the fire chief shall di-
rect, subjects the company to fine
of 800 dollars for each such failure,
and further renders them liable to
cancellation of their franchise. Sew
eral citizens held that the fine was
not heavy enough, but when Mr. Pat.
terson explained that the company's
investment under the frachise would
represent several hundred thousand
dollars, which they would not care to
jeopardise by the loss of the franchise
through failure to live up to their con.
tract, the suggestion to raise the mon
etary penalty was withdrawn, especi-
ally as any change in the ordinance at
this time would further delay the com
pany in getting to work.
Mr.. Patterson stated that the old
shallow wells and pumps OF the old
company would be Abandoned, that an
additional artesian well or wells would
be put down at the standpipe to supply
pure water at all times, fire or other
wise. Also that high pressure cen
trifugal pump would pump the water
direct from the standpipe in case OF
fire (while the pumps from the artes-
ian wells kept the standpipe full),
thus providing unlimited water and
the required pressure, regardless OF
the number of hose leads used.
Mr.. Patterson has accepted in good
faith the pledge of the citizens to vote
the franchise and has already ordered
machinery and equipment for the
plant. A force is to be put on at the
power house at once getting the boil
ers in condition and installing oil burn
ers. Line work and work on the wa
Ter mains will also be pushed so that
the company can begin operation early
in January.
The council will place the franchise
ordinance on final passage next week
and an election called for thirty days
thereafter.
The Chronicle believes that the city
has been exceedingly fortunate in in
teresting men of the calibre of MIR.
Patterson and his associates in the
water and light franchise. Their repu-
tation in Meridian, where they own
he light and power plant, is OF the
verv highest In coming among us
tbev become one of us, our interests
ire theirs and the growth and devel-
,nment of the city a matter in which
bey will have a personal as well as
. financial interest