. HE MIRROR No. 30 STRATFORD, ONT., FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1926 Vol. 4 Mayor Marshall Again Holds the Keys of City D. R. Marshall is again Mayor of Stratford, defeating William New- man. Two new men will grace the Public Utilities Board, R. R. Glenn and J. B. Waugh. A. G. Garner, member of the Commission for 1925-26 met defeat at the polls. The eleven members of the 1926 City Council who sought re-election were returned. The bylaw to hand over the control of the gas plant to the Public Utilities Commission passed by a large major ity. Little interest was shown in the Contest throughout the day and as a result the poll was about 1,000 be- low that of last year when there were four for the chief magis- trate's chair. Almost from the beginning the re- election of Mayor Marshall was con- ceded as from the time the result of the first poll was received he led the Way and ended up with a majority of 1,822 votes which was somewhat of a surprise as it was anticipated that Mr. Newman would give the 1926 in- cumbent of the mayor's chair a more strenuous fight. The surprise in the race for the two seats on the Public Utilities Com- mission was the defeat of A. G. Gar- ner who has been a member of the commission for two years and who was chairman of the Water Commit- tee last year. Two new men will be on that board this year, R. R. Glenn and J. B. Waugh. The former has had no previous municipal experience in the city but has been concerned with County politics for some years. Commissioner-elect Waugh is a for- mer alderman and school trustee and last year ran in the four cornered contest for the mayor's chair. Brown Leads Aldermen. Ex-Mayor Tom Brown heads the aldermanic poll this year with 1917 yotes and J. A. Andrew, also a mem- ber of last year's Council came sec- ond G. I. Graff, a new man in_ the field this year came third with a total vote of 1770. N. R. Fiebig and F. E. Ingram who both entered the coun- cil for the first time last year were fourth and fifth respectively this year. An interesting feature of the ald- ermanic race this year was the fact that the two candidates who must re- inthe field "main at home polled the same num- ber of votes, each getting a total of 844. P. Wahl, F. Wright and Thomas Higgins, new men this year are all former aldermen. The only new member to the Board | transformer. Pertinent Patter It would seem that Stratford citi- zens might reasonably hope for a re- duction in both water and electric light rates this year. The Public Utilities Commission showed an op- erating surplus in both departments for 1926 andthere is no reason for this body having any surplus. Un- der the system laid down by the city auditor a year ago no public body is supposed to use current revenue for capital expenditure, the system be- {ing to issue debentures for anything | in the way of capital expend"ure. If that system be followed out faith- fully nothing in the way of an operat- | ing surplus is needed. This past year the electric department of the P. U. C. kad enough left at the end of the vear to ftinance the purchase of a new All very fine but why | should the present generation of Pw: | surplus the customers should get it | This congregation, a C. customers pay for a transformer the next two generations or one at least will be enjoying? If there is any | in the form of reduced rates. * * * Stratford's municipal gas plant is expected to pay its way. It can only do that by selling more gas, which means more customers. The only way to get customers is to put the plant in first class condition, cut the price of gas and go out after busi- ness. An aggressive campaign will be needed to again popularize gas in Stratford and the way to do it is to make gas cheap and reliable. It might even be profitable to present small ranges to new customers as an inducement to them to use gas. Un- less something 13 done to stimulate | the sale and use of gas the plant is going to be a burden that the rate- payers will find difficulty in carrying. * * #* a While one might be pessimistic about Stratford's financial condition so far as taxes are concerned there were abundant signs last year that the city was far from dead. A. fine new addition was buYvt by the Perth Mutual Fire Assurance Company, an addition that does the company cred- it and gives it a fine head office. Then, too, the Kroehler Manufactur- ing Company, one of Stratford's lead- ing manufacturing plants, built a large addition to its factory, thus marking another step in the progress of this live and growing concern. St. John's United Church is another illustration of the faith in the future of Stratford as expressed by the building of permanent structures. joint one of former Methodists and Presbyter- jans, joining hands in true Christian fellowship, has erected one of the fin- est churches in this part of the coun- try. The addition to the Public Lib- rary and the new wing to the Col- legiate Institute are, of course, public buildings and® increase the public debt, though they in a_ sense also mark progress in the welfare of the city. All im all it might be said that flowers need not be sent as yet though the supply of pall-bearers and crepe-hangers is abundant. of Education was Dr. Lorne F. Rob- ertson who was elected by acclama- tion. Dr. Lorne will undoubtedly be a valuable addition to the Board, hav- ing given a good deal of attention to educational matters. The gas control bylaw had a major- ity in its favor of 1747. As a result of this favorable vote the control and operation of the gas plant will now be turned over to the Public Utilities Commission, which body has been handling it in conjunction with a com- mittee from the city council since the city took the plant over last year. The Council meets for re-organiza- tion on Monday morning next. The following is a list of the newly elected civic officials: For Mayor. D. R. Marshall For City Council. Tom Brown J. A. Andrew G. I. Graff N. R. Fiebig F. E. Ingram C. E. Moore, S. L. Ireland N. F. Babb R. L. Oman John Meldrum H. C. Clark Thos. Higgins Frank Wright G. H. Lightfoot Peter Wahl For Public Utilities Commission. R. R. Glenn J. B. Waugh For Board of Education. Lorne F. Robertson PHONE 2 ZO JONES. REAL ESTATE INSURANCE "GROWING OLD TOGETHER" Tomorrow, John, be-like you will re- member, What that day was to years agone, When first we met down yonder the meadow, Beyond the stile, where cowslips early bloom. us, long in The years have come and brought their tale of sorrow, But joy has also had its place we know, The cup has not all bitter been, the ' - morrow, Will seem the sweeter, as we Older grow. Of pleasures, John, we've had no little share, And fortune has to us been ever kind, In granting its full mead of goods and gear. Strong, healthful bodies, and tented minds. con- The Father has been mindful of our prayer, : Has given us His gifts with bount- eous measure, Not least of which, He's granted to us dear, The blessing that we may old together." . --Albert Carman. "orow IN THE PUBLIC EYE e Ld JUDGE OWENS His Honor Judge William Gunn Owens was sworn in Tuesday as County Judge of Bruce Court. Judge Owens, however, is not nearly as ser- ious looking as one would think he is when looking at his recent picture. But then when he was sitting for the camera man he may have had in his mind the fact, that every honor or responsibility brings with it, an in- ward toil. But we know that this fine gentleman will ever, remember that mercy should season justice. IM; this way it is twice blessed for "It * HIS HONOR blesses him that gives and him that ~ receives." Congratulations to Kenneth Cash, who was elected "Boy Mayor" of the Junior City Council for 1927. Ken- neth is 16 years of age and has been a member of the Robin Hood group of the Central United Church. He was elected by a majority of eight votes over his opponent, Ross Baker, @ member of the St. John's United Church Tuxis Square. The new Mayor is a son of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Cash, Ontario Street.