The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-01-22
Shall we have Cheap Light?
AN ESTIMATE FOR ELECTRIC LIGHTS. -
PROPOSITION TO ILLUMINATE THE CITY
AT LESS THAN HALF PRESENT COST.

AN ESTIMATE FOR ELECTRIC LIGHTS
PROPOSITION TO ILLUMINATE THE CITY
AT LESS THAN HALF PRESENT COST.
The question of cheaper gas is attracting
no little attention among our citizens, and
it looks now as If there were some pros
pect of relieving them of the burden i'm
posed by the present system of illumina-
ton. Week before last we published sew
eral estimates for the establishment of
new gas works, which the diligence of the
Council Committee had elected. At the
Council meeting Tuesday night, Mr.. Mayo,
representing the Thomson Houston Elec-
trio Company Of Boston, submitted an es-
innate for lighting the city with cleo
tricity. On behalf OF his company, he
proposed establishing plant at a cost of
S1S,550, and estimated the annual expenses
of operating the same at $S,067. If the
works were run to their capacity and the
output consumed, TIE income was esti-
mated at $l8.345. The capacity of the
works proposed is over four times the
present consumption. For works that
would be sufficient to supply over double
the present consumption, the cost of plant
would be about Sl3.0 00 and operating ex-
penses about $500. This would enable
the citizens to procure lightsa the rates
of $l.00 per 900 for gas, instead of $3.50
as they are now paying, and would save
the city some $1,000 per year. BY the use of
arc lights on the streets and in halls, Sc.
the cost would be about % cents per 1 900
to that class of consumers. a3
1t is claimed by the Electric Co. that the
arc light is best suited for lighting stores.
halls, streets, &c., it being clear, brilliant
and very powerful, but subject to slight
flicker (which under recent patents has
been reduced to minimum. The incan-
descent light. which would be supplied in
connection with the arc light, is used for
house purposes. 1t is perfectly free from
flicker, being much more steady than
either gas OF oil. 1t never smokes, pro-
duces only one-twentieth the heat of gas,
does not vitiate the atmosphere, and is in
fact as near perfect light as known.
The Council took no definite steps in
the matter farther than to authorize the
committee to advertise for bids on an appa-
ratus that would generate 10000 feet of gas
per day, and the mains needed to conduct
the gas through the city. The committee
was authorized to reject any or all bids.
Ic
the systems they propose thoroughly in
quired into, definite steps towards the
erection of works should be taken and pros
ecuted to completion. We understand that a
perfectly reliable company is willing to
make this proposal To erect electric works
with over double the capacity of the pres
ent consumption Of the city, at something
less than $4,000, with $4,000 annual oper-
ating expenses. To furnish to citizens a
better light than is now used at $1.O0 per
900, and pay handsome profit on the in
Vestment. To erect the plant at theirown
expense and operate it for six months. AT I
the expiration of that time, if it shall have
been demonstrated that every promise of )
wiz COMPANY littc pCCu lueIl I1H
city to take the works at the price stip-
ulated. otherwise the company to be al
lowed to operate it as their own concern.
Ii such contract should be entered into,
the city would run no risk. Itsannual ex-
penditare for lights would be reduced to a
minimum if not extinguished, and the cit
liens would save thousands of dollars Ger
tain it is that there is pressing, and i'm
perative demand for cheaper gas, and this
can only be secured by the erection of new
and improved works.
The Staunton Gas Company submitted %
statement to the Council on Tuesday night.
wherein they claim that they are now sup
plying gas at a low price. We have not
the space to day to examine carefully the
figures presented in this statement. The
main point sought to be established, how
ever, proves one of two things: Either
that the figures of the company are wrong.
OF that citizens pay much more for gas
per l 900 than the city.
The statement sets forth that the whole
cost of lighting SO street lamps, eleven of
which.are all night lamps, for the past
year, was $s996.97, or $2.73 per night the
year round. A fair average for length of
time the ordinary lamps are lit would be
five hours, and for the all night lamps ten
hours, or say 20 lamps five hours each.
This would give SO cents for each lamp
for hours, or less than eight-tenths of one
cent per hour for each lamp. Will the
company furnish individuals gas at any
thing like that rate?