Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-08-26
Side
COMMITTEE TO
INVESTIGATE
REFUND CASE
Mass Meeting Held To Pro
test Against Action OF
Red River Power Co.

After discussing the matter Of the
alleged discrimination Of the Red Riv-
er Power company of Grand Forks in
not refunding the surcharges to the
East Grand Forks patrons Of the
company, at q meeting held
Thursday evening under the auspices
Of the Commercial club. q motion was
passed that Fred CRAIG, president Of
the council; F. G. Massee, city attor-
aey, and City Clerk "A. N. Briggs be
named as q committee to look up the
franchise under which the company
Ia operating and ASCERTAIN the legal
status of the matter and report to a
meeting to be held later.
]. G. Sherlock. president Of the
Commercial club, called the meeting
to order and gave q brief history Of
the case. He pointed out the purposes
OF the meeting, suggesting that If the
grievance OF the citizens was just
some definite action should be taken.
General Sentiment.
After several citizsns had spoken on
the matter, Thomas Pickett asked for
the floor. His remarks were greeted
with applause and seemed to express
the general sentiment OF the meeting.
Its no use chewing the rag" he
began. we IA talk about suing and
litigate until the city Golfers are emp
ty, and it will get US nowhere. The
quickest way and the only way to get
a square deal Is by direct action;
then we will get results"
Franchise Discussed.
Fred Metca!f brought up the mat
ter of the franchise, he having heard
that the power company had no valid
franchise to operate in the city. City
Clerk Briggs was called on in the mat
ter, and he informed the meeting that
the only franchise he knew Of was
n issued to ECONOMIC Gas company
in 1898, which gave the company a
right to eharge $2.25 per thousand
cubic feet, with a refund of rs cents
II paid before the end of the month.
Several thought there must be a fran
chise issued later to the Grand Forks
Power company. and this was one OF
the matters which the committee cho-
sen were to investigate.
Conferred With President Of Go.
T. A. Sullivan said that while he
the matter Up with the president of
the Red River company, Mr.. Peck.
Mr.. Peck's argument" it val said, was
that inasmuch, as the water and light
commission Of East Grand Forks had
not granted tho company relief during
the war in permitting a raise in the
electric light rates, the company did
not feel called upon to refund the
surcharge. as they were entirely with
in their rights.
On behalf of the water and light
commission, DR.. W. G. Courtney, who
is a member of the commission, ex-
planned the electric light contract, as
q persisted, it was said, that
the commission had granted this re.
lief. In his statement DR.. Courtney
said that no rclief had been granted
for the reason that the contract wa
entered into by the city council, ano
this body did not feel that they coulu
do this without the consent Of the
voters: He also pointed out that Min.
neapolis was buying gas at Is cents
per thousand feet and electricity fol
5 cents per lilowatt, while Easa
Grand Forks is paying $500 for ga:
and 3 $40 cents for electricity.
Mr.. Sullivan made the suggestion
that East Grand Forks citizens pur'
chase electric stoves and discontinue
the use of gas, as he thought the,
would find it much cheaper.
After the committee was chosen tn,
meeting was adjourned.