Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 72, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 March 1920 — ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING HELD [ARTICLE]

ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING HELD

.... . . - • ft ■3’’. -Z ( r - r ' x CITIZENS VERY MUCH INTERESTED IN NEW LIGHT AND POWER PLANT The court room was crowded to capacity Tuesday evening by the citizens of this city, all of whom seem to be very much interested in the proposed new light - and power plant. . , Mayor Charles G. Spitler presided at the meeting and made a short address, telling of the condition of the present power plant, its lack of capacity and the inefficiency on account of the lack of modern machinery. . K • • He introduced C. S. Chamberlain, superintendent .of the light • and power plant. Mr. Chamberlain reafi ah account of the present plant from the installation. The plant was bought by the city of the private owners for $7,500. Improvements and enlargements have been made with a total cost of $46,000. The money for this has been paid by the patrons of the plant in water and light rentals. The taxpayers of the city have not paid their proportion of the cost of the service rendered to the city in supply of water and lights to the

j Mr. Chamberlain favors ithe I building Of a new plant and thinks it would be economy to build the same near the railroad right of way. To do this he estimates that the cost’ would' be between $135,000 count of modern machinery and the saving l of coal hauling 'he thanks would take care bf the added investment and would care for the obligations incurred as they matute. The present plant, ne .says, is inadequate and - is being pushed so hard to care for the present business that there is serious danger of it being put out of business. Much service being demanded by thejpeopie of the city cannot now be given on account of the lack of c< pacity. ' ‘ y y As shown in the Chamberlain report, published in full in the Republican, either the present plant must be enlarged or a new one. must be built. The points in favor or?, a new plant to be erected near the railroad are: Saving of coal hauling. Enabled to buy a cheaper grade of coal. Removal of the smoke nuisance of which there is very serious complaint by the people living in the vicinity of the present plant. Removal of the noise from the | public school, f ... Some of the points urged against the removal and in favor of enlarging the present plant are: The investment will be less, it is estimated that the enlargement of the present plant would cost about $65,000. The city can still furnish heat to the. school. . City Attorney Leopold explained the legal phase of the proposition. It is proposed that the .city $50,000 in the common stock. This stock can be issued at 5 per cent and Sold at par. Then there can be issued SIOO,OOO of preferred stock which will bear 6 per cent and will sell at S9O. If the people of. the city would subscribe for the preferred stock, it could be sold at SIOO or a saving to the city of SIO,OOO. । There was a general discussion and a number of questions were asked by the citizens present. Judge Charles W. Hanley was called upon and he seemed to stnite a cord in harmony with the views of the great majority of the citizens present. His idea was to build a new modern plant. Build it at the and let all patrons pay their full and equal share for the services

rendered. ..... , He objects to individual patron, who uses light, heat or water, paying the bills of the taxpayers but that the light, . heat and water furnished either to the civil or school city should be born by the taxpayers of the city. The Mayor called for all who favor the building of a new plant to rise to their feet. Four-fifths of those present stood up. It would seem that the matter should be left in the hands of the city council, the city superintendent and attorney. , We have one of the most efficient superintendents to befound anywhere. He is thoroughly competent and his long service lor the city has won for him a reputation for economy and efficiency and he has the confidence of the people of this city. t '< * Our city, attorney is capable of giving the legal advice andL the members of our city council are men of splendid business capable of handling thia proposition in the best manner possible. Im put it 'up to them and stand by them and assist them in their ef~ fort to solve for us that very hnportant question.