Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1920-04-08
The Two Light Bills.

In this issue we are publishing por.
ton of the two Bills in the Legisla-
ture, which concern our Electric
Light Plant. Inasmuch as our Town
Commissioners were elected by the
pubic, and therefore are public SER
wants, we are somewhat at a loss to
know why these bills were not pub
lished in the paper at the time they
were introduced, or sent to Annapo-
lis. There was no necessity, what
ever. in being 80 secretive about the
matter, and if there was anything
radically wrong, the people would
have a right to know and to protest
if they desired. If they were proper
bills, c, rtainly there could be no OBJ
lection in letting the public in on the
information. However, the Com
missiu,rrs saw fit to do otherwise,
and we have nothing further to com
ment on this end of it.
AS to the bills themselves, on the
face of them they are more or less in
nocent looking, except that one bill
seems to have for its purpose the ex-
tending of the town lines out into
the country, after lighting business.
Personally, we do not think much OF
this. The town has no business US.
ing taxpayers money in extending
its lines out in the sparcely settled
sections adjoining Thurmont, for the
small amount of revenue that it would
get for this business, entailing as it
does, considerable original cost and
expense, not to say anything about
the cost and expense OF the up-keep
and repair, for it is to be doubted
whether or not these lines have in
any way been built and paid for by
the consumer, and even il they were
built and paid for by them, the nat
ural wear and tear and upkeep would
necessarily fall upon the town au-
thoritics, with a very small amount
of revenue to compensate.
As to the other Bill, it asked for
the issuance of SIS, 900 worth of bonds
for the purpose of Improving" the
present Electric Light Plant. The
"improving' is susceptible of a great
many, meanings, and we believe that
this is only another name for an aux
iliary plant, which has been SO much
talked about for a number of years
past. 1t also provides for the levy
ing of taxes to pay for these bonds
and the final redemption. 1t sets no
limit on the amount of taxes that
may he raised Tor this purpose, and
the Board could very easily, if they
want to, add as much as fifty cents
on every hundred dollars. We are
alread. paying ten cents extra on the
hundred dollars. to help the present
Electric Light Plant, which in round
numbers means, figuring that our tax
able basis is half million dollars,
the taxpayers are contributing $500
per annum for this purpose. The
bill, it is true, provides for refer
endum, referring this matter to the
taxpayers, who will vote upon same
at any regular or special election, and
we assume that irasmuch as the
emergency clause is attached to this
bill that it effects the health of the
community, and that the same
will be presented at the CON-
ing election. Everything now ID
becoming an emergency measure. it
seems; even the racetrack people had
this emergency clause placed on one
of their bills.
1t will finally be up to the people
of the Town TO pass upon this ques-
ton, and if the y want to pay more
taxes, why it certainly will be their
privilege to do so, if they vote for the
Bond issue.