The Wrangell sentinel., 1941-12-19
getting from the Iieht plant.

getting from the light plant.
 At council meeting Sept. 1921, l 25 citizens called on the City Coun- cil and stated their views regarding the light situation and condemned in no uncertain terms the ten-year exclusive franchise No. 42, granted without the vote of the people.
 In March 1924, Harry ". Cart ley applied for a franchise for el- ectric light and power. This was de- bated at many meetings Of the Coun- cil until July 21, 1924. at which meeting the Council was notified that the Palmer franchise would ex- pire at midnight on July 9 and that the town would be without lights. However, arrangements were made with MT. Palmer to continue light services and a bonus would be paid him.
 4 special election was held Sept. l g, 1924, to vote on the Gartley Franchise. One-hundred and twen- ty six votes were cast to grant the franchise and 91 against The town was again without lights while the Gartley-Palmer negotiations were in progress and the Wrangell l Lumber and Power Company were installing a steam generator plant.
 The Wrangell Lumber and Power Company operated the plant under the Gartley franchise No. 56, until November 1880.
 At a special meeting of the Coun-. cil in November 1880. Mayor G. l. Demert announced that an emer-. 1 gency existed with the lighting sit uation and a meeting was called for the purpose of considering the lighting franchise and the Wrangen Light and Power Company to de- ] termine the ability of the power company to fulfill the terms Of the l franchise and the feasibility of the City taking over the light plant. 4 petition was then presented signed by 40 citizens and taxpayers.
 The caption Of the petition read as follows:
 We the undersigned voters and
 taxpayers of Wrangell, Alaska,
 respectfully petition your honor
 able body to cancel the present ] Wrangell Light and Power Fran l chise and that the town of Wran- l gell take over the transmission
 lines and the said Town of Wran- ] gell own and operate the same as
 a municipal industry"
 After an open discussion by the i Council certain directors of the Wrangell Light and Power Company were called into the meeting to de- termine what, if any, basis the pow CT company had to assure that the terms of the franchise would be car ] ried out. They stated that in addi- 1 ton to a proposal by a Seattle com 1 pany of a lease proposition that they had under way negotiations with two responsible parties in the east who were figuring on taking over the entire property and such deter imitation would be arrived at Jan uary l, 1881. A motion was then 1 made and carried by the Council that 1 the Wrangell Lumber and Power Company be given until then to com plete its negotiations and if not com- pleted by that time the franchise would be cancelled. The Mayor then called for a standing vote Four yot- ed for the measure and two against.
 The Wrangell Power and Light Company's negotiations failed to ma terialize. The town went ahead with the installation of the 200 HIP. Die sel engine
 March 15. 1891, the engine was installed and on April first 1881. the town started to collect revenue. This engine was operated for eight months and the records show that the town lost $90 in the eight months operation.
 It was found that the old 200 h.p. would not supply the needs of the town and during the summer months of 1881 many wires and let ters were exchanged with A. B. Gray of the Interstate Power and Light Company. MT. Gray visited Wran- geli in August, 1881, and spent many days in going over the light situation. After compiling much data and going over the entire prob lem, he offered to ship a 12O h.p. engine (Fairbanks-MOrse) that he mad at Concrete, Washington, which