The Wrangell sentinel., 1931-01-23
Council Holds
 Special Meeting On Light Matter
FAIRBANKS MORSE OFFERS TO INSTALL NEW UNIT ON THREE-YEAR TERM: CITY PLANT READY TO RUN

PLANT READY TO RUN
 A special meeting of the Wrangell Town Council was called at 7:3O o'clock last Monady evening to transact business pertaining to the city light plant, and to hear a re- port from Councilman F. G. Han ford, who was authorized to confer with the Fairbanks Morse Company while he was in Seattle regarding the financing of an additional pow CT unit in case the town of Wran- gell revoked the present franchise of the Wrangell Light & Power Co.
 Hanford reported that the Fair banks Morse people were willing to not only finance a new unit, but also to take over the obligation in- cured by the council on the new plant now in process of construc- tion at the head of the bay. provide men to run 1t, the arrangement be- ing in the form of a leaes in which certain percentage of the earnings would apply on the purchase price. The estimated cost of a new unit was $17,000. This unit would be mounted on one shaft and would operate more efficiently than the unit now being installed, at a cost of approximately $12OO a month, including labor and oil The unit now being installed would then be used in case of emergency.
 After some discussion by the council the clerk was instructed to fill out a questionnaire to be for warded to the Fairbanks Morse Co.
 Report on New Plant
 Campbell reported that the power unit now being installed would be ready for a trial run about Satur- day, and that it would probably be ready to take the load by the first of next week. He informed the council that this unit will be able to handle the present load except during emergencies, when the oiJ 75 h. D. diesel plant will have to be pressed into service.
 The question then arose as to whether favorable terms could be had from the Wrangell Lumber & Power Go. for leasing the old plant and the distributing system in case the town revoked the franchise. J, G. Grant, director of the company. was called (the other two directors. L. B. Chisholm and James Nolan, being present. and upon being ask aH hof 6o T give, replied that he could not an- swer at that time, nor until he could confer with the other two di- Irectors. Coulter then suggested that the power committee composed of Hanford, Sorset and Campbell, be instructed to negotiate with the directors.
 The Price of Oil
 A fuel bill from the Union oil Company ion $500 was presented and payment asked. An inquiry from Olsen revealed that there was. no money to pay this bill, and ol- sen asked Hanford (agent for the Union Oil Company if credit could be extended for time. Hanford replied that the credit of the Wran- gell Light & Power Co., had been exhausted, but that if the town guaranteed the bill he would let it run. The bill was then allowed for payment.
 Hanford also informed the coun- cil that he could not sell oil to the town for the same rate that the power company had been able to buy it, because the power company had contracted for oil at four and one-half cents per gallon, but that the present rate was six cents a gallon, delivered to the plant thru pipeline from the company's tanks. H. V. Callow, representing the Standard Oil Company, was present at the meeting and inform ed the council that his price for oil was also six cents, and that he could not make delivery for that price.
 Editors note: At a special meet ing of the council held January 15, the council agreed to allow the Wrangell Light & Power Company an additional 15 days in which to complete the deal for the sale of their property, this extension being requested by the firm with which negotiations are being carried on. The Sentinel did not hear of this meeting in time to report 1t in last weeks paper.