Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-19
LIGHTS OF THE CITY.
A GREAT EXTENSION or THE ELEcTRI-
CAL SYSTEM PROPOSED.
Very Important Matter to be Acted Upoa
by the Two Branches Of the
City Council.

The Committee on Light night before last
resolved 10 recommend 10 the Council the
adoption OF the proposition Of the Virginia
Electric-Light and Power Company. The
present contract expires in three years from
mex: February, and the new contract, as
proposed, lengthens The term OF the old one
five years.
1t is provided that the company shall fur
nish the Superintendent Of the Gas Works
with the necessary apparatus 10 test the
illuminating power OF the electric hight >
The great Importance OF this subject will
make the papers following, which were laid
before the Council committee, OF general in
terest:
10 the Joint Committee on Finance and
light Of TIE Council Of me city Of Rich
HOnd:
Gentlemen. In view OF the fact that your
committee has under consideration plan 10
increase the present facilities for furnishing
light in the city OF Richmond, and are de-
yising means by which the capacity OF the
s-works Of the city may be increased in
order TO furnish better and more equal sup.
oily Of light, we take the liberty OF submit
ting for your consideration a proposition
looking to that end. As we have facilities
for immediately increasing our electrlc-light
plant, by which we can light all the streets
in = manner which will be more satisfactory
10 and at lower cost than the city WIZ be
able to provide gas &c furnish equally Sc good
an illumination, we trust that before coming
to any conclusion your committee will give
our proposition q careful consideration. We
think It's acceptance will promote greater
economy and better service to the city, "a by
distributing lights In the manner in which
we propose, the city can supply all the gas
now used for street lighting purposes TO
the purpose OF supply for private consump-
ton, and thereby save the expense OF in
creasing the present capacity OF the gas
works.
We propose TO erect % towers Is feet high,
and place therein a sufficient number OF the
largest size arc lights to completely and
thoroughly illuminate the territory covered.
BY reference TO the map herein enclosed 1t
will be seen that these towers-in connection
with the present lights now in use and
100 in addition theret0-c0ver the entire sur
face of the city. The existing and additional
street-surface lights or poles are indicated on
the map by the smsli red circles. The area
OF surface covered by towers is indicated by
large circles.
To light the territory comprised in our
plan by gas would require upwards OF 1900
gas lamps, and the city would not then be
lighted nearly as brilliantly as by the plan
we propose by the use OF the electric lights.
The quantity OF gas required Tor this
number OF gas.lamps, based on last years
consumption, would be 15000,00O cubic
feet, or a cost OF $4,000. and 1t will be
seen that il the gas consumed Tor street
purposes can be devoted TO private con-
sumption II will save the expense OF pro-
yidng ally additional increase in the works.
IL must he admitted that the electric light
would furnish a much more satisfactory IL
Illumination, and we are prepared to enter
into contract to completely light the city,
as above stated, for a term OF years, so that
all gas lamps can be dispensed With and the
Gas hitherto consumed therein be applied
10 private consumption. Upon intilnation
from your committee we will submit the
figures therefor, and we deem 1t sufficient
TO say at this time the cost by electricity
will be considerably less than the cost OF
ges for a sufficient number OF gas.lamps to
cover the same territory.
To prepare the necessary apparatus would
Involve considerable outlay on our part,
and it will require some time to make the
necessary additions OF machinery and elec-
trical equipments; and we nope for an early
consideration OF the matter by your com.
mittee. Respectfully submitted,
VIRGINIA ELECTRIC-LIGHT AND POWER COM
PANY.
REPoRT OF THE COMMITTEE on ELECTRIC