The San Francisco call., 1895-12-13
LIGHTING IN ALAMEDA.
Its Economy Questioned by a
Gas and Electrical
Company.
A Hose Company Fined $40 for Not
Turning Out to
Fire.

ALAMEDA, CAL, Dec. 1.-THE Oak
land Gas Light and Heat Company has ad-
dressed a lengthy letter to the Board of
City Trustees reviewing the subject of
street and incandescent lighting in which
the city is now engaged and which it is
proposed to much further extend and ex-
pand. So far municipal lighting has not
been an unqualified success from an eco
nomical point OF view, it having cost a
great deal more than private lighting in
ad djacent cities under similar conditions.
There are many in Alameda who in times
past have disapproved of the great loss
that the city is under for its lights. Now
that there is talk of expending further
large sums by the city in the expansion of
this department, the gas company sug-
gests that instead the city call for propo-
sails to furnish current at so much per
thousand watts, the city to shut down its
generating plant but operate the lamps
from the electricity furnished by other and
private works There are two such pro-
posals suggested, the second one to be for
current for arc lights exclusively, the in
candescent plant to be sold to the highest
bidder. The point is made, as shown G
the depreciation in electrical apparatus
that machinery that eight years ago cost
the city approximately $4,000 was sold
for $375.
A Company Fined.
ALAMEDA, CAL, Dec. 12.-Since the
Chief of the Alameda Fire Department has
depended on the appointment of the
Municipal Board for his tenure instead of
the suffrage of memb bers of the volunteer
department the discipline has been much
more strict. A fire occurred on Chestnut
street last Saturday, and Whidden Hose
Company of the West End omitted to turn
out to it. The fact was noted by the Chief
and reported to the Municipal Board on
Wednesday last, when the board imposed
a fine of $40 on the derelict company The
department is part paid and part volun-
teer, and the mixture is not very good
one. 1t has never worked very well.
Two Notable improvements.
ALAMEDA, CAL, Dec. 12-Work on
the foundation for a $4,000 residence for
Joseph A. Leonard has been commenced
on the bank overlooking the bay of San
Francisco at the foot of Union street, east
side. The site is one of the most COM
manding in the city and the neighborhood
is one OF the finest as TO its class of i'm
provements to be found on this side of the
bay. Directly opposite this fine improve
ment another has been started in an $4,000
dwelling for Colonel n. L. James OF the
Governors staff and but recently made
chairman of the board Of directors of the
Home for the Adult Blind.
Company ID Recognized.
The members of the late Company d,
\. g. c., have reorganized under the
name of the Franklins and elected the fol-
lowing officers: L. P. Schafer, president;
NJ. J. Myers, yice-president; A. Helm
quist recording secretary, K. ]. McClu-
ME, financial secretary.
Brief Mention.
II. H. Todd has retired from the man.
agement of the Park Hotel and B. r. Lane
has taken charge.
General attention is attracted to Web
ster-street roadway because of its bad con-
dition. Webster street roadway is the
main thoroughfare between Alameda and
Oakland.
II. p. Reichert lost horse last summer
and two days ago saw man driving it on
High street. He obtained it through a
search warrant, and now the man is going
to make trouble for horse-traIner named
Smith, of whom he bought it. Smith
claimed that he purchased it of boy.