St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1921-04-16
COOPERATIVE
SPIRIT IN NEW
CONTRACT

The town Of Covington and the
st. Tammany Ice & Manufacturing
Company have just signed up new
fve-year contract While this may
have "a very simple sound, it means
much to the people Of Covington as
we'll as to the lighting company.
During the war public utility COM
panies all over the United States had
hard time Of it. High cost of
labor and material fixed a price on
profitable service that made the pub
lie dollar look like fifty cents. Then
came the thrift campaign and the
Hsave-the-penny" slogan that made
lights go out early and brought shoe
leather into competition with street
railways. The public could econo-
mize, but some Of the public utilities
had reached the bottom Of economy
and there was loud cry for assist
ance from the Government.
The St. Tammany Ice & Manufac-
turing Company held franchise
from Covington and under its con-
tract could not raise the rates to the
town On the other hand, it did not
raise its rates TO the general public
because it had mapped out recon-
structie palms for a service that
would place Covington in the front
ranks of the up-tc-date towns Of the
state. But to accomplish this object
required the installation of new ma
chinery and equipment at cost that
was almost prohibitive in view of the
returns for service, unless the field
could be extended. In the face Of
this came the question of the ex-
tension Of the franchise with the
town. 1t is right here that dspl plomacy
and consistent cooperation between
the town and company worked out
"a plan that viii! conserve public in
terests and at the same time enable
the company to develop a profitable
service.
The committee appointed by the
town council to work out this prob
lem is to be commended for its en-
ergy, for its broad and liberal policy
and for the thoroughness with which
it entered into all the details asso-
ciated with contract of this kind.
It was composed of G. 'E. Schonber.,,
chairman; Chas H. Sheffield, A. r.
Smith It's Investigations included a
compilation Of statistics realtiye TO
franchises in various towns of the
state and a personal visit to Ham
mond.>' All facts in the case were
traced and sifted out in their bear
ings upon the cost, conditions and
field here, and in working out their
adaptation to Covington, Mr.. Fred
erick and Mr. Pianche laid all the
cards face up on the table and played
the game fair and squarely. The re-
suit is a contract that will give the
public electricity at from 16 to rs
per cent cheaper than under the old
franchise, with a decreased. minimum
rate for business places and the call-
ceiling of the moonlight schedule.
Mr.. c. e. Schonberg, chairman Of
the committee, is especially entitled
to credit and thanks for the time
and hard work he has devoted to ac-
compl;shing these results, and the
public will ne doubt appreciate the
and fairness with which Mr..
Frederick and Mr. Planche met the
suggestions Of the committee. It is
also worthy of comment to note that |
the st. Tammany Ice &, Manufacture
ing Company is widening it's field by !
taking in the towns of Vaudeville, i
Mad:sonyiH eand Abita Springs, and |
that by improvement in it's equi2- !
ment and extension of its service /
will soon be in a position to make |
the use Of electricity profitable in !
the domestic service Of the house |
hold as we'll as for power for the |
It has so many uses, /,
from running the sewing machine to !!
cooking the dinner, that cost Of pro- i
duction is the only thing that stands !
between it and general use.
The town council has accomplish !
ed many things for Covnigton not !
visible to the uninformed. On a !
much reduced revenue, it is clear
ing away old debts, meeting current /
expenses and keeping the town mo.- .
ally clean as Tar as possible. Tie
mayor has impartially enforced the |
law in his court and is using what