Piedmont Light and Power Co. Suing Graham and Mutual Light and Power Co., Sept. 25, 1919

From the Greensboro Daily News, as reprinted in The Alamance Gleaner, Graham, N.C., Sept. 25, 1919

Litigation Over Light and Power. . . Town of Graham and Mutual Light and Power Co. 

Temporarily Restrained. . . Hearing Oct. 4th

Litigation affecting thousands of people in Graham, Burlington and other sections of Alamance County found its way into the United States district court of western North Carolina yesterday when J.B. Pascal and Warner Moore of Richmond, Va., instituted legal action against the mayor and commissioners of the town of Graham and the Mutual Light and Power Company of Graham.

The complainants appeared before Judge James E. Boyd and filed a bill in equity, asking for an injunction against the town of Graham and the Mutual Light and Power Company on the ground that the town of Graham was taking action to abrogate contracts made by the municipality with the Piedmont Light and Power Company.

Electric power for the mills in and around Graham, as well as mills in and around Burlington, and for the operation of street cars between Burlington and Haw River is furnished by the Piedmont Light and Power Company. By making contracts with the Mutual Light and Power Company, the officials of the town of Graham are taking action which would supplant the Piemont Light and Power Company, the complainants contend.

It is contended by the complainants that the franchise granted to the Mutual Light and Power Company for the operation of business in Graham was issued irregularly, only two of the five town commissioners having voted affirmatively on the proposition and only three votes having been cast. 

The franchise of the Mutual Company is for a period of 50 years, and the complainants argue that it would greatly diminish the business of the Piedmont organization. In fact, it is contended that the new franchise would serve to render the business of the Piedmont of very little value.