The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1936-06-19

the observation-disclosures company, for
a pump unit and diesel engine,
which he demonstrated could be in
stalled and operated at consid-
cradle saving over that of the
electrically driven pump at the
rate for electricity proposed by |
the power company. After con-
sidering the matter, the majority |
of the Council, reconsidered the
action of the previous special meet |
ing, cancelled the order for the
Ramona pump, and calmly and
consciously bought the deisel
equipment.
The fat was In the fire.
The power company was in the
air. The power company agents
were indignant and naughty. They
told the Council what was what
and more too. They said the Pa
mona pump ordered by the power
company fair and square had been
shipped on the original order of
the Council before the cancellation
notice had been received; and that
a great and grave injustice mad
been perpetrated on the poor inno-
cent, confiding power company, be-
sides the city was wronging itself.
Power company fixers flew into
town in flocks. They talked and
plead with the city dads, but to
no avail. They bluffed, threatened,
cajoled, and coaxed, in vain.
The Ramona pump arrived last
week, but when truckers attempted
to unload it at the new well,
Robert Rookie, the city water sup
erintendent and chief of police act
ing under orders of the City Coun-
Gil prevented them from doing so.
A full Council meeting was held
Monday night, when it was evil
dent that a majority of the Coun-
Gil was convinced of the superior
ity of the deisel equipment and it's
greater economy to the taxpayers
above what the Northumberland
Utilities company had offered I'M
der the guise of cut in rates,
fabulous before the cut, just half
as fabulous afterward, which in
the end effected no saving to the
city, nor any loss of revenue to the
company. A number of citizens
interested in the controversy pro
and con, some only as citizens, and
others as paid clackers for the
power company attended.
Y. NJ. cleveland, fixer perfecto-
mo for the company, handed out
favors In the form of the COM
pany's proposal, done in perfect
tipping on 25 per cent rag bond,
extemporizing eloquently on the
actual and mythical, direct and in
direct saving, mounting up to the
huge sums of two and maybe
three hundred dollars per year
which would be accomplished by
the Ramona pump over the desc
equipment, for the City of Plenty
wood generally, and for the com.
pany particularly. A high powered
salesman from the Ramona was
also present to extol the virtues
of his company's Ramona pump
for the information of the city
dads and the spectators.
However, no representative of
the Fairbanks-Morse company was
present, not feeling it was neces.
sary for an expert to harangue
upon the virtues of a proposition
so obviously visible as the deise
engine proposal. Local talent pre-
sented the arguments in the sup
port of the deisel equipment in 6
manner very diSconcerting to say
the least to the slick and suav'
agents of the power company
Then Councilmen Barner and Fish
beck, made detailed report of
!. their investigation of the perform
ance of deisel equipment at Circl,
and Fairview.
Mayor P. G.. Neville, presiding al
the meeting, reported that he haC
personally investigated equipment
in number of places where h,
found to his apparent satisfaction
that deiseL equipment was excep
tionally unsatisfactory for thu
smaller units. He urged that in
vestigation be made at Dickinson
N. D., and Harlowtown, Montana
where he recited that deisel power
engines had been replaced will
electrically driven equipment, bu
he gave no information as to VIVA
expense to the power company. 1
was evident that the mayors in
formation was largely limited t,
the information supplied him b,
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