The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1923-07-06
Building Of Plant Means Hamilton S
independence In Way Of Electric
Power And No Skyward
Shooting Of Rate

Hamilton is to own its own electric
power plant. This was decided upon
at a meeting of the citizens advisory
committee held Monday night in the
Chamber of Commerce rooms. This
committee was named by Mayor
Harry j. Koehler, Jr., shortly after
assuming the duties Of his office, for
the purpose of advising him in all big
and important municipal matters. At
the meeting Monday night, after
much discussion lasting almost till
midnight, the committee advised
Mayor Koehler to go ahead with the
building Of the new plant for which
the people voted $65O,000 of bonds in
February, 1920, and which bonds
have been sold and the money is now
in the bank
The erection of a bic electric power
plant has been the subject Of much
discussion for many years by the
people of Hamilton, and when Mayor
Culla j. Smith called for a special
election for the issuance Of bonds for
building a new plant they were well
informed on the situation and voted.
At the time there were certain inter.
ests and-we might say certain indi-
viduals, who had their eyes glued on
Hamitons electric current situation
and its possibilities with hungry
looks 1t looked good, indeed. These
interests, and individuals, never
dreamed for a moment that the people
Of Hamilton would vote through the
huge sum asked for maintaining their
independence in the electric power
situation, and they simply sat back
and waited for, as they expected to
get their clutches on the whole works.
But 10, the people fooled them-for
when the votes were counted it was
found that the bonds carried, 1897
for the issue and 703 against.
The result of the election caused
many frowns and gnashing of teeth.
For didn't something big get away ?
But big Biz" doesn't stop at little
things like the voice of the people
when it starts out to get something
it wants. There was getting to-
gether and plans were Immediately
laid to overcome all obstacles. Many
meetings were held, several it is said
in the First ward at which several of
our prominent citizens took part and
which, so it is said, lasted till the
wee sma hours of the night. 1t is
also said that at these meetings one
Charles A. Munroe took active part
Mr.. Munroe is head of the company
which is now so anxious to furnish
electric power to this city, and if We
remember correctly it was this same
Mr.. Munroe who, at the time the city
was in dire need of current, said that
his company had none to spare fol
this city, the idea being at the time
to put the local plant out of business
and then step in and get the whole
| shebang.
If our readers remember correctly
the Press at that time voiced warn
ing to the people to watch Munroe'
if they didn't want their electric ligh
plant to get away from them, tha
there was a deep scheme to cop it.
Much palavering and pussyfootln}
has been done, many offers and pro
posals made for furnishing the cit!
current since the voting of the bonds
all of which has been given the deep
est consideration by Mayor koehlef
| However, Mayor Koehler, upon enter
ing office, promised that the peo
ple's interests in this instance woult
be carefully guarded and anyone de
! string to be fair and understanding
the situation thoroughly, must admi
that he has done SO, working earl.
and late in the matter. If the mayo
hadn't sat as tight as he did in thi
matter the Press believes Hamilton
would now be tied up in contrac