The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-02-09
UTILITY ASKS i
FOR RENEWAL
OF FRANCHISE.
Hughes Electric Company.
Files Application with
City Commission
PLANNING TO EXPAND
Investment to be Materially
Increased in Future. Says
Application
PLANNING TO EXPAND

AppllcatlOn Tor renewal OF 1ranch-
Use has been filed with the city
commission by the Hughes Electric
Company, and is expected to be act
ed upon soon by the commission.
"The franchise now held by the
Hughes Electric Company will expire
during the coming summer" says the
letter of transmittal accompanying
the application for franchise. "This
company has let contracts for eX-
tensive requirements and betterments
to it's present plant; and in view of
these facts, it has been deemed ad-
visable to make application for a
new franchise"
A proposed ordinance drafted by
O'Hare and Cox, attorneys, is sub
mitted to the commission, providing
the company shall have a franchise
to construct, operate and maintain,
under certain restrictions. an elec-
trio light and steam heating plant
in Bismarck, for a period of 20
years.
To Increase Investment
''In passing upon this matter the
Commission will doubtless desire to
consider the ability of the utility to
furnish satisfactory service at rea-
sonable rates to the consuming pub
lic,' the letter of transmittal further
says. As to this, we advice that the
deprecated value of the property of
the utility used for this purpose has
been. fined at figures ranging from
minimum of $499, 10000 to $685.
191.O0. This investment will be ma
terially increased during the com
ing months"
The recent statement of the board
of railroad commissioners in connec-
tion with publication of new rates
in the city is set out and the state
ment added that "the new rate sche-
dule now in effect gives to the city
Of Bismarck and private consumers
therein the most favorable rates for
like service in the state of North
Dakota"
The regular form of ordinance is
appended to the application, speci-
flying that the streets may be used
in placing of poles, etc. Section
requires the company, in case of any
change of grade of any street or
pavement, to replace the same at its
own cost and expense. 1t is provid-
ed that all poles and posts set in
the streets shall be placed in con-
formity with all ordinances and regu-
lations of the city.
Does Not Bind City
Nothing herein contained shall be
construed as the granting or at
tempting to grant of any exclusive
privilege to said first party, or to
bind said city at any time to be a
patron of said first party electric
company whether in the way of TAX
ing lights or otherwise"
There is some question, it is held
as to whether it is necessary for the
utility to ask for new franchise,
because of the railroad commission
law giving it supervision over rates
and regulations of public utilities,
oHu lue IISut " SIout IHuctcIHIiIalC
permits. The ordinance follows the
lines of. the one now in effect under
which the company first began to
operate.
There is, according to the state
ment of the railroad commission,
submitted to the Commission, little
chance of any litigation arising over
electric lights and service in the city.
The railroad commission is quoted
as saying: "The Commission is we'll
pleased with the action of the utility
(in settling the rate question: and
is of the opinion that the rates filed
will receive the general approval Of
the consumers in Bismarck. The
rates compare very favorably with
those of other utilities operating in
our larger cities and since it has
been universally conceded that the
utility renders excellent service,
we believe that rate litigation in Bis
marck has been ended for some time
to come"