The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1937-12-07
D GU CL A S
NE W S
PUBLIC. UTILITY OWNERSHIP
AND ELECT RICITY RATES
DISCUSSED BEFORE COUNCIL

Providing a real diversion from
the routine of the usual ordinary
weekly session of the Council, the
city Dads had several visitors from
Juneau at their meeting last night
who were armed with arguments
and data on behalf of reduction
to the consumer in electricity rates
Albert White, Juneau attorney
who was first speaker, stated that he
represented the Progressive Citi-
zens League of Juneau, whose goa
was cheaper power rates. Stress was
laid on the light company's system
of varying meter deposits and fluc-
tuating rates. He urged that the
Council secure a report from the
Alaska Electric Light and Power
Company, covering their operations
in Douglas as the Juneau Council
had done, to the end that it might be
lascertained if the present rates are
excessive or not. The law as apply
ing to the situation was gone into
by Mr.. White and the rights of the
city set forth.
w. D. Gross addressed the Coun-
Gil on behalf of municipal owner
ship of public utilities urging nego-
tiations with L. H. Metzgar of the
Alaska Juneau for securing cleo
tricity from the 240-power plant.
He quoted statistics from the Ket-
chikan and Petersburg municipality
owned utility services to show the
profit possibilities in the town own
ing its own plant. 1t is the only hope
the town will have, he said, to keep
from going bankrupt, on account of
the present indebtedness of the city.
He offered his financial help to fur
Their the cause.
Henry Benson, the third speaker
on the subject explained the terri
torial law as it applied in the prem
Use. E. E. Engstrom, called upon for
remarks, stated that although any
public owned utility was a great
thing for community the Council
should wait for the light company's
report before taking any action
Mayor Kilburn told his visitors
that as far as he was concerned he
felt as though he had always re-
ceived his moneys worth from the
light company, and he pointed out
that there are probably a hundred
corporations in the territory that
do not file reports of their opera
tons with the territorial auditor,
due possibly to the oversight of the
legislature to provide penalty for
not SO doing. Mr. White said further
that there was no penalty clause in
the law to restrain further opera
lions until reports were made.
Will Investigate
Upon motion by Mr.. Riedi, the
Council voted to have the matter
looked into and the Public Prop
critics Committee composed of Bon
ner, Balog and Cashen were named
by Mayor Kilburn to make investi-
CATION.
Letters read to the Council at the
opening of the meeting contained
the resignation of H. B. Foss Com
pany from the inspecting job of the
school, and from Francis L. Biggs
applying for the job. The latter
stated his qualifications for the
work. The question had previously
been settled by the Council in favor
of Herb Redmond who was elected
as inspector to succeed the FoSs
company.
Committee Reports
Reports were rendered covering
the various committee activities. I'm
portant therein was one from the
street committee explaining the i'm
practicability of doing any work at
the present time on Thlinget ave-
nue. as recommended by the Fire De-
partment. In regard to proposed
heating of the Nat with the old city
hall boiler, it was stated to be i'm
practicable; that some type of dry
heat would be the only kind adap-
table there. Retire and water, the
of the reservoir at the
present time for cleaning it out is
not feasible at the present time. Mr..
reported having the city
water tested and that sample from
the Demytt system showed fine
water, while report on the water
in the main reservoir was no ready
yet. f
Regular tax deed was ordered
drawn up for Mrs. Carlson covering
lot No. 2 in block 20, which she pur-
chased in 1922.
Some $700 worth of small bills
and $685. balance due contractors on
the city hall building were ordered
paid. Adjustment was made in sal
airy of Marshal DuPree to IS per-
cent of his normal salary during his
indisposition.
During the course of the meeting