St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-01-26

Of 1000 candle power in the cities having
municipal electric plants is SIS.
- TO light with electricity the district now
lighted by gas land by the twenty eight cleo
trio lights now in use) would require $40 arcs,
which, at $75 per arc. is S42,750, dispIacins
3,031 gas lamps for which the city pays S31. rs
per lamp per year, $685. 234.25 and the twenty
eight ares now in use at $50, $4,000. and
200 gasoline lamps at s11.76 per year, 80 352.
Deductng $i2 $50 from the sum of 500 30. 25
and $4,000 and S2,352-S102, 7S6. 25-leaves $780,
O3625, the amount saved by the change, and
giving US q greatly superior light, as attested
by comparison of Seventh street with Wa
basha, the former lighted with electricity, the
latter with gas.
c. That as we cannot make under our laws
contract for over one year. it will be neces-
sary, in order to induce competition, for the
city to grant to the successful bidders a fran
chise to do commercial lighting for ten years
IN the district CT districts in which the BID
der or bidders shall have secured a contract
which franchise, however, shall not be ex-
elusive.
With such franchise promised, we are as
sured of a competition such as leads US to
the present price OF electric lights to the city,
or such reduction in the price OF gas as will
preclude any change at present in cur system
of lighting.
plants in the city and ascertaining what ter
ritory each would cover in the way of street
lighting, We have divided the city into four
lighting districts arranged as to secure
most effective competition.
We send herewith map showing such dis
tricts, and where electric lights should in
your committees judgment be placed.
e. Such legislation as may be necessary to
enable the city to make five-year contract
for public lighting should be secured at the
earliest day possible.
With this we could reasonably anticipate
still more competition and greater reduction
in the price Of light.
F. We recommend that bids for lighting
with gas and bids for lighting with electricity
be received and opened at the same time, and
contract be awarded to the responsible party
or parties who bid the lowest price, quality Of
light considered.
FOURTH = A MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC
PLANT.
A. Your committee are of the opinion that
it is not prudent for the city just now to in
stall an electric lighting plant, IL We can Sc
cure reasonable bids to light by contract.
All desire to see the city Indebtedness re-
dueed rather than increased and our tax rate
lowered. To this accomplishment private in
terests and good citizenship impel us all.
In addition to these considerations improve
ments are constantly being made in electrical
apparatus, and the new gas acetylene. prom
ises to supplant by its quality and inexpens-
iveness all other lights.
Still, satisfied that when time and
circumstances are opportune, it is true econ
ony for any city to erect and operate its own
lighting plant and by doing commercial work
to still further reduce the cost of public lights
and as bids received may be so high as to
render it prudent to install a plant at once
your cOIlHDlCSe TepOTlS aS IOllOWS WITH re-
gard to the cost thereof:
The city engineer estimates the cost of an
electric plant for 575 arcs and 20 per cent re-
serve power. with overhead system. at s117,-
$500. With mostly overhead, but with
wires underground within the district covered
by ordinance" $137 ,652.50.
A firm of constructing engineers engaged in
installing electric plants makes for us esti-
mate for a plant of $50 arcs, not including
real estate or building, but including 81, GOO
for stack. for all overhead, ss3 coo; for mostly
BOD 81
foreground conduit wire, S115,O00 Adding to
these figures for building, $4,000, less 1900
for stack. gives $4,000 and s135, COO.
An electric expert of high standing gives
your committee this estimate for plant Of
600 arcs and 10 per cent reserve: An over
head system will cost s91 600; overhead but
Adding to these figures for building gives US
fer overhead. SIZE, GOO; for overhead with six
miles OF conduit S129 900.
A careful examination of the reports Of
various cities shows that the average in
vestment per arc in installing a public plant
is about $500. and calculation based upon
this shows substantially the same result that
has been reached by the city engineer.
Fortunately ST. Paul owns piece of ground
admirably situated for a plant, being in the
heart of the city, on the river. with railroad
trackage. so 1T can receive coal from the cars
at its door, and get water at nominal cost,
and where a solid. inexpensive one-story
building, out of public view, would answer the
purpose in view
Ffth-As to Time of CONTRADICTIONS COM
rnttee recommends that If a contract be made
for lighting the city, it shall be for one year,
commencing not later than May 49, 1896.
Your committee sends herewith specifca-
tons Tor lighting with gas, and for lighting
with electricity under contract. and estimates
for installing public electric light plant
for both overhead and underground systems.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
j. c.. Quinby,
H. S. Fairchild
&C. n. Warren.
Members Of Board of Public Works.
Il. W. Rundlett
CITY Engineer