The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-21

the fact that Atlanta was discussing the
| question whether or not it would be
cheaper for her to own her own electric
| lighting plant In Saturdays Atlanta
Journal NJ J. Francisco reviews the ques-
! ton of municipal ownership Of electric
lighting plants which cannot be other
wise tnan interesting to those who are in,
vestigating this question. If the state.
ments which he makes are correct the
experience of cities which have purchased
electric lighting plants has not been such
as to encourage other cities to follow
their example
While he does not say that companies
which sell electric lighting plants mislead
cities which purchase such plants, he
does say that the actual cost Of the plants
greatly exceed. as rule. the estimates
furnished by the agents Of the companies.
There are always expenses which appear
to be overlooked in making estimates. The
consequence is that a town which figures
on getting a plant for say $4,000, gener-
ally has to pay $4,000 for it before every
thing Is complete and the plant is ready
70 be operated. The same is true in re-
s3ect to the operating expenses. The es.
Inmates are almost always much below
The actual cost. The agents are so anxious
to sell that they make statements which
turn out to be far from correct.
The estimates furnished Atlanta are
shown by Mr.. Francisco TO be much less
than the cost of plants, in proportion to
the number of lights. has been in other
cities, and very much less than the cost
of operating the plants.
The estimates furnished to Atlanta are
compared with the cost of the Detroit
electric lighting plant and the expense Of
operating the plant The comparison is
made with the Detroit plant because that
plant is regarded as the model one owned
by a city. Mr.. Francisco points out that
according to the estimate furnished to At
lanta a 1000 light plant would cost $145.00
per lamp to install it. According to the
official record it cost $637.SS per lamp to In
stall the Detroit plant. This difference is
so remarkable that it would be interest
ing to hear what the agent who made the
estimate for Atlanta has to say in respect
to it. Detroit pays for trimming each
lamp $13.S6 per year. In the Atlanta esti-
mate only $5.78 is allowed. Detroit uses
for lubricating purposes much more
oil per lamp than is allowed
in the Atlanta estimate. The De-
troit office expenses are $685. per lamp.
while 80 Atlanta $40 is expected to meet
that item of expense. In Detroit line en-
ployes cost S2.55 per lamp, while it is
thought that sc cents per lamp would pay
FOR this work in Atlanta. The pay roll
in Detroit is $4S8i per lamp, while in the
estimate furnished Atlanta only $18.12 is
many other items than those we have
given, but the foregoing are sufficient to
show how it is that on paper it is much
cheaper for a city to own its own electric
light plant while, as matter of fact,
it doesn't always turn out that way
The committee of council which has the
matter of electric lighting in this city I'M
der consideration should read Mr.. Fran
cisco's article. Tt might get some sug-
gestions which would assist it in reaching
conclusion as to whether or not it is
better for this city to own an electric
lighting plant We do not desire to influ-
ence 1t one way or the other. We desire
simply that that shall be done which win
be best for the city. We confess that
what we read in respect to municipal own
ership of electric lighting and gas light
ing plants has prejudiced us against such
ownership. Still, if it could be satisfac-
torily demonstrated that it is to the city >
advantage financially and otherwise to
own its own electric lighting plant we
should not hesitate to advise that such
a plant be purchased. But until there
is a showing of that kind it would be adj
visable fer the city not to put any money
into an electric lighting plant.