Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1921-05-05

to the mayor and council, was read.
to the city officials be read for the
which was done It was not discussed
January !, 1921 to March 81, 1921,
and also in view Of the further fact
that the City Of Americus at the
present time owes as thousands OF
dollars that we nave not been able
TO collect, we are constrained to de-
mand that these bills be given i'm
mediate attention, and that they be
paid in full before May 20, 1921.
II the city does not pay these bills
by May 20, Wc will be forced to dis
continue the city street lighting SER
vice on this date and sue for the
account.
I'VE have been forced TO this ac.
tion by the attitude of your Honor
able Body in the past and at the
present time Largely due to your
failure to pay our just bills we have
been forced to go out and borrow
money with which to meet our ac-
tual operating expenses. On April
J., Of this year the city owed US
16,258.80, which amount includes
practically the entire street light
account for 1920.
Although we recognize that at
the present time money is hard to
collect, yet we cannot help but feel
that in the year 1929 the city of
Americus diverted funds that should
have been devoted to the hguidating
Of our just bills to the installation,
of new equipment for your pumping
station. If the spending Of this,
money had resulted in material
saving to the city you might have
been justified in using money due
us to fight US, but the results have
been that the city is now spending
more money to furnish pumping
service than we offered to do ii for
in 1920. The money you invested
in new pumping equipment probably
would have been SufIicient Ii iqui-
date our present bills against you.
1t is these facts that make Us
feel that the city cf Americus has
used US unfairly in the matter of
paying our bills, 1t is obviously un-
falr tor the city to use money due
US to purchase equipment to further
cmbarrass US by taking away 1.
large part Of our load, which was
done in the matter of the city
pumping The direct result Of this
action has been to increase our OPP
Grating expenses per K. w. II. of
output and IN addition causing the
city a direct monetary loss in the
operation Of it's own pumping sta
ton. In addition to the direct mo-
notary loss already mentioned, the
fire hazard Of every property own
er in this city has undoubtedly been
increased due to your present lack
of reserve equipment fer taking
care Cf the city water supply in the
event of an emergency. At your
cider we have physically served all
connections between our plant and
yours, and as things now stand it
would be impossible for us to render
any prompt aid to the city in the
event Of a disastrous fire and a
breaking down OF your own facili-
ties. This condition will undoubt-
edly be reflected in the future by
increased insurance rates in Ameri-
icus.
Owe have used every cndeayor TO
collect balance due in 1920. In
January Of this year We were as
Sured that a portion of this account
would be liquidated and vouchers
were given US in the amount of $5,-
929.16. Although we were assured
that all collections would be applied
to the retirement of these vouchers
and the account would be liquidat-
ed by April or at the latest June |,
no payments whatever have been
made on these. We have offered
these vouchers to several banks in
Americus, but could not get them
discounted.
We feel sure that your hqnor-
able Body will realize that we have
been as lenient in this matter as
possible. You must know that we
cannot continue to furnish service
without receiving payment for same,
as no body can stay in business
without being compensated A
continuance of this policy means
/ bankruptcy for us The matter has
now reached the point where imme-
. date action must be taken and un-
| less payment can be arranged by. the
| date specified. service will have TO
1 be discontinued. Please consider this
formal notice
"In order that the people Of
! Americus may be fully informed Of
our attitude in the matter and to
understand our reasons for discon~
! tinuiur your service il Is onF pres
ont intentions to publish this letter
| in the loeal newspaper and u send
| a copv cf same to the several civic
/ bodies an the city,
/ aTrustin~ that Your Honorable
Eody viii be able to avert any fur7-
! thef unpleasantress due TO theas
| bills. bys promptly paying same VIZ
ssAMERIcUs LIGHTING CO.