The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1890-12-01
FAlD OH AccouST OF rLEcrmc l.farr


Here We have report from the city
authorities stating thR. the entire cost to
the city OF running fifCy.fve arc lamps
one year WIS S2,lil 90. But you will
notice one item is repairs on engine and
boiler, also one item for fnci, showing
that the plant was steam power, and
what is iar better, n Htylc OF boilers and
engines that ran the entire year, start.
ing aud stopping at proper timcs auto.
matlcslly, without any one to look after
them eZcepta man occasionally 10 maka
few repaira. The coal walked into tho
furnace without assistance, and no one
was employed in or about the station:
neither did the plant cost the city any.
thing"
That statement Seems priIHG tacie in.
complete and Misleading the repor;er
observed.
That is sample" Gaid Mr.. Garden.
"ot the reports made by politicians and
proiessed economists, which shoYs iust
how reliable they are. Oh course, a man
OF practical experience, and kaowinr
thGt electric lights do not run without
human agency, would look further be-
fore accepting such statement, which
also should be done by the Rtgtster and
the public before coming 70 DECISION %
"haye you figured on the actual cost
OF the Dunkirk lghts?"
"les; to Botnc extent. When we ex-
anime tue acCountg OF the Dunkirk
water works, operated in connection
with the electric plant, We find engineers
and tiremen were paid $3,555; for sup
plies, SID; general expenses under
superintendent, $685.; supc1intendent's
salary, $40; interest on bonds, S7Oaj:
making Sl2,9Sl additional. Even ii only
one.third OF this ia charged to electric
lights, We have Si.326 to add TO tho
81, al. making 6,lG9 for ffty-fve lights,
or Sill each lamp per yBar. Insurance.
taxes, water rent and depreciation are
not counted in either case, all Of which
should be inclnded il true statement 10
desired, as in case the city raI:ed the
lights, the company furnishing them
would be required to pay TO the city
taxes and water rent. Insurance shonld
be carried or stipulated amount set
aside each yearto provide against loss
by fire. For depreciation agum varying
with the circumstances mus: be I'll
lowed"
"Ypsilanti, Mich, is also cited "a a
very cheaply lighted toTn; what about
it?"
well, let's eee: Yas:!anti has n,
electric ligha plant which it is claimed
10 operated cheaply-name!y, S23 81 per
lamp per year; but the truth digcloges
the iacs that the accounts arc kept in
much the BamO way as for the Dunkirl,
plant, and that YpEilanti pays S72 pfr
year per lamp, only ruunlnr eighteen
nights n month until midnight; there
fore to run the lights all night and every
night the cost would exceed Tho actual
cost OF the Dunkirk lights"
"These iGcls," Alr. Ga.den added. msr-
cord with Lhoso given by Secretary
Frapzheim concerning Litllo Rock, and
are also covered by the information we
have OF that plant namely, that the cost
per lamp for eight hours ssrvice isabont
SoS per lamp per year, bat this does not
include any allowance for intarest, tareg.
depreciation, Insurance or new arp,a.
tuyes and repaira, and it is based on use
tor short nights, which would frequcntiy
be doubled with us during abou. one
half tho year."
"How do you accoun. for tho peculiar
argument OF the Rtgbtcrf Are they dine
to lack Of consideration, or what?" -
"You can Judge rs to that rs well as
l. Its publications. 30 far are CERTAINLY
not we'll considered, and are misleadinF,. .