Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-20
| MAKE ITS OWN LIGHT.
City officials Figuring on the Cost of
an Electric Plant.
WHAT 1T COSTS PITTSBURG NOW.
Residents of the Outer Wards Desire the
System Extended.
CHIEF BIGEL0W WANTS SHADE TREES

The possibility of Pittsburg owning and
operating an electric light plant for street
illumination is now under consideration by
the city officials.
The city's contract with the East End
Electric Light Company for arc lights was
for three years and expires on April l, 1892,
and if it is determined to build plant, there
is not more than enough time to complete all
arrangements before that date. The city
paws the electric light company $4,000 a
year, and the expense of gasoline lamps
brings the total annual cost Of street light
ing up to about $160, 900. Even at this rate
the city is not lighted up all over, and next
year the system will have to be extended
in several directions. The residents OF
several we'll built-up streets in
Oakland are asking for electric light;
in the outer wards the residents are CON-
planning of having to depend to large ex-
tent upon the light of the moon, and the
Southsiders already have a petition in Coun-
ellis asking that the system be extended upon
that side of the river. If these requests are
complied with il will double the cost OF
lighting, more especially as the company
has returned to the use of coal, natural gas
having advanced to point that prevents an
economical use of that fuel.
Figuring at Six Per Cent.
Controller Morrow was figuring little
Yesterday. He believes that all of the city's
investments should earn 6 per cent, and
scorned to do any figuring on per cent
basis. At the highest rate 100000 year
represents an investmen: OF 81, ,667. 900. The
Controller was not prepared to estimate on
the cost of an electric light plant, but he was
aware of the fact that Allegheny had purchased
one for SAL 600 or less than the cost OF lighting
Pittsburg for one year.
Chief Bigelow, of the Department OF Public
Works, is considering the propriety OF the city
owning its own electric light plant. The street.
paving trouble has had the effect of throwing
other subjects into the background. in this de-
partment for the past two or three weeks, and
the Chief has not given the subject all the con-
sideration 1t needs. He feels, however, that 1t
might be good idea, more especially as II
would not be necessary to make the appropria-
tion for the purchase OF the plant until hexs
year. when IL is hoped that the city will have
emerged triumphantly from the cloud cast upon
it by the street decision.
Looking at 1t as an Investment.
Mayor Gourlev is also giving serious consid-
Grafton to this matter He is securing data in
an endeavor to determine whether the pur.
chase of an electric light plant would be good
investment for the city. If he finds that the
municipality would save money by such an in
yestment he Will recommend it to Councils; If,
on the other hand, he decides that it will be
merely an expensive luxury. he will say moth
ing about it.
Chief Bigelow is also giving some thought to
the subject of tree-planting on some OF the
city's best avenues. He realizes that far
famed Euclid avenue would not compare with
Fifth avenue beyond Oakland. were it not for
the magnificent shade trees which line Cleve.
lands show thoroughfare. Last year the Chief
asked for $40 600 for this purpose. but didn't get
it, This year he has not asked for it, but would
not be surprised if he got it anyway. In the
meantime he is devoting considerable attention
to the study of arboriculture.