The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1894-03-08
Ele ctric Lights.

Herald. will be Of some intesest to.
Worthington people.
The first newspaper work the editor
of the Dispatch engaged in, in Brown
Co. was the lighting Of the village by
electric lights. We correspondent
With prominent electricians and the
result Of the correspondence was given
to our readers. Three and half
years ago the village invested in an
electric plant, and has operated the
same ever since, and each month Of
that time we have published the re-
suit Of the work, finding it at all
times demonstration of our theory.
that electric lighting, all things con-
sidered, is the cheapest and safest
method for illumination for either,
streets. stores, Offices or private res
licences, and, that municipal control
of such plant is the proper way to
run it.
Our plant was first operated in
June 1890, and consisted at that time
of rs horse power engine, and one
dynamo Of thirty 1900 c. p. arc light
capacity. Of the light thus furnished
the village used for street lighting
eleven arc lights, little more than ]
the entire capacity and rented the
balance of the current to private GUS
toners. The rentals from the very
first were sufficient to meet all rum
ming expenses.
The following year larger engine.
and another dynamo were added, and
the village added to the public COM
fort and convenience, seven more
street lights, and gave lot of private
consumers chance to put in the
light which was then and is now in.
| Up to date the plant has cost
something like $500, and has been
operated for three years and a half.
It has given US the best lighted
streets at no expense whatever to the
taxpayer except the purchase price OF
the plant. This service would have
cost us for the street lighting for
the three years and half at the
average rate, $3.50 if the lights were
rendered from a private company.
Estimating that for three years IS
per cent of the light has been used
by private parties and that the aver
age. rate charged elsewhere for the
same service $3.50 per arc
light per month, municipal owner
ship of our plant and the low charge
made for lamps has to these consum-
ers an average Of 50 per month per
lamp, a total saving Of $3024. Hence
on the theory that a penny saved is "a
penny earned the electric light plant,
which cost us 81, 500 three years ago,
has in that time saved Sleepy Eye
and citizens $6593. The cost Of oper-
ating during that time has been as
follows:
Receipts from rentals $2317.59
Cost to operate D75.22
Profit " $242.26|
1892. ~>-.~
Cost to- operate $259S.2l
Receipts from rentals 2256.85
Loss 341.97
Receipts from rentals $24O7.9o
Cost to operate w 21O5.l5
Profit ...... $320.75
The net profit of the three years on
the plant, excess of receipts over ex-
pense, is $203.05.
Add this to the saving, 1854, and
substituting the amount the actual
cost Of the plant is sos. The plant
lis now in excellent condition and
everything favorable for prosperous
year.
DIR. Gaugh is reported i'll.
Harness of all kinds Blair & Co.
Harness, Blair & Co. Harness
For seed wheat, barley and oats,
call on J. D. Humiston. 3O-w3
ducks and geese are here in
large numbers this spring.
DIR. Shaver the prctical and ex-
perienced dentist will be at Hotel
Worthington March - and 18th.
e. H. Garfield of Luverne is here
this week. Mr.. G. ha as many cases
Il <cS6 10