The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-11-24
THE CITY MAY TRY INCRNDESCENT.
The Contractor for the Construction
Of the City's Power House Must
Hurry Up...Changcs IN Location OF
Lights Ordered Made.

InOlllas " nIlcl, alcAuHucT hltCIlcli
and Major Ran Stalnaker were present
on behalf OF the company.
Mr.. Howard stated that tho Edison
company had Incorporated several
amendments in the ordinance to meet
several objections offered TO the or,!i-
nance. One OF these amendments was
that the city shall have tho right to buy
out the company at the end OF twenty
years. Also that the company agrees
10 bind itself not to hinder the city, be-
fore the courts or legislature, in obtain
Ing legislation to 20 into the heat,
light and power furnishing business,
and 10 lend its assistance i'll obtaining
such legislation, il requested 80 10 DO.
DR.. Campbell asked ii any gentlemen
representing the company wished to be
heard. Mr.. II. NJ. Russell replied that
the matter had been fully discussed ut
former meeting OF the commission
and tho company's representatives. DR..
Caapbcll auggcGted that several mem
DcIs OF The commission were now pres
rnt who have no. heard the former dis
cussioa, asked MIR. Mitchell to explain
tho workings OF tho company's sys-
ZEN.
SIR. Dunlevy, OF the board OF gas
trustees, asked in what manner the
revenues Of tho city gas works would
be Increased by the introduction OF
electric light on large scale. Mr..
Howard replied that no claim had been
made by the representatives OF the
company that electric lighs would in
crease the revenue. but that they did
claim that the revenues would not be
reduced, this being the experience o;
other cities. Mr.. Howard read q letter
and Il telegram fJoA Mr.. W. G. Adams,
superintendent o, the Richmond, Va.
city gas works. : letter from General
Charles J. Anderson, the gist OF it be-
ing that the gas consumption doubled
itself in 81 years, the population OF the
city doubling itself in Ii years, and that
electric light, in New York City, at
least, was
40 COMPETITION OF GAS,
10 the injury OF the latter.
Mr. Dunlcvy asked il this might not
have been the case in cities where tho
price OF gas WIS much higher than in
Wheeling, and was put at 4 lower price
when electric light was introduced.
Mr.. Howard answered, that in that case
he did not think electric light would
he so strong competitor to gas in
Wheeling, where it was cheap, US in
cities where it was expensive. Mr..
Howard continued, that electric light
was, 10 some extent, an experiment.
That it would cost the city 100000 to
60 into the incandesccnt lighting bust
ness; that his company was willing to
put up the money to conduct the ex-
pertinent, and that, ii the business
paid, the city could take the plant off
the company's hands at the end OF
twenty years, and that twenty years
was not 4 long time, as it would proba-
bly, be ten years before the city would
be able to 90 into the business.
At the conclusion eli Mr.. Towards
argument, the unfinished business OF
the commission was taken up and dis
posed oil, the commission afterwards
going into executive session, and tho
representatives OF the Edison Company
retiring. The discussion OF the merits
OF the ordinance did not occupy much
time, the commission having had ample
time 10 investigate the matter DR..
Campbell WAS in favor OF recommending
20 Council favorable action OH the ordi-
nance. lie considered the arguments
brought forth by Mr.. Howard very
sound, rs the city was certainly not, aC-
cording TO his idea, able to undertake
the incandcscent electric Lighting bust
ness, either CT present or in the near
future.
After short talk resolution was Of
tered recommending 10 Council the re-
lection OF the ordinance presented bv
the Edison Electric Light company, rs
the commission WAS OF the opinion that
the granting OF the ordinance would be
detrimental 10 tho best interests of the
city. The resolution was passed, Dir.
Campbell voting no.
4 resolution was passed asking Coun-
ci! to instruct the board OF gas trustees
and City Solicitor Riley to ascertain,
with view topurchasinc, the probable
cost OF the equipment and appliances
used in manufacturing incandcscens
light by tho Wheeling Electrical
company.
TIE UNFINISHED BUSINESS DISPOSED OF.
The unfinished business, which tho
commission took up before finally de-
Gliding on the action TO be taken on the
electric light ordinance. consisted en-.
tirciy OF matter pertaining to tho con-
Etruction OF the electric light plant
Mr.. Scciy informed the commission
that he had been notified that the boil
ers for the electric light plant would be
ready to be inspected by next Wedncs-
day. Mcssrs. Farrell and Dunlcvy
were elected committee tc accompany
MIR. Scely on the inspecting expedition,
Sir. Dunlcvy to pay the expenses and
be reimbursed by the commission.
Mr.. scely also suggested that the
electric light poles be painted. Darl:
green being considered the most dur.
able, that color was selected, and Mr..
FNrrcll, who is o practical painter, and
Mr.. John a. Scely were appointed a
committee TO SEQ that the proper lna.
tcrIals were used.
The Vandorcn Construction com.
pany claims to have shipped all the
roofing material for the electric power
house. Only one car has arrived, and
the commission decided to pay the
freight bills and charge them to the
Nandoren company.
:. There being dispute between tho
Fort Wayne company and tho sub-con-
tractor for the shaiting, as 20 who should
pay for the capstones for the shaftinr
Mr.. Scely was authorized, to avoid dc.
lay, 10 get bids for the capstoncs, have
the work done and the cost charged tc