The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-10-26
MAY DO ITS OWN LIGHTING.
MAYOR MELDRINrS PLAN FOR 4
MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC PLANT.

to the Cost of the Plan and to Re-
port Upon Its FeasibiIity-The Mat
ter to BE Acted Upon at Once in
View of the Expiration of the Pres
ent Lighting Contract jan 1.
Stem were taken by the city council yes
terday 10 gather information as 10 the
cost Of equipping the water works plant
with sufficient electric lighting apparatus
for the city TO carry on its own system of
electric lighting. The idea is TO amalga-
mate the proposed electric lighting plant
with the water works plant
A combination OF circumstances sug'
gested the feasibility of such a plan T.
Mayor Medrim, and after giving II some
thought he came to the conclusion that
the equipment of an electric lighting plant
whereby the city could furnish its own
lights was feasible. The expiration Of
the contract between the city and the
Brush Electric Light Company, Jan. I,
together with the fact that small dy.
namo is now in operation at the water
works, by which the buildings are light
ed. suggested TO the mayor that the city
could dispense with buying its light and
with but little outlay, could do its own
lighting. In making a rough estimate Of
the probable cost of putting such pro-
ject into effect, he realized that the out
lay in buildings would be nothing in view
of the fact that the present structures
could he used advantageousy and with
out alteration. The necessary power is
available, and about the only requisite to
the equipping of a complete electric light
ing plant is the purchase of an engine,
dynamos and necessary wires, poles and
lamps
In view of the early expiration of the
present contract for lights, a meeting Of
the council was called, and the proposition
was submitted in the following communi-
cation addressed to the board by the may
or:
My attention has been called to the
fact that the lease made with the Brush
Electric Light Company for city lighting,
will expire on Jan. l, 1898. Owing to the
importance of the subject, have deemed
1t proper to request your presence in or
der that you might take such action as
you may deem wise. There is but a short
time before the expiration of the lease,
and therefore it is necessary. that prompt
and decided action be taken.
THE appropriation for the present year
for street lighting is $4,000. 1t appears
that the city pays for every street light,
the sum of $50 per annum In the extern
sion of the city, 1t will become necessary
from time to time to add lights, and even
now, certain parts of the city, are made
quately lighted. This problem of street
lighting is one of the most important that
you could be called upon to solve, and /
therefore commend the subject for your
consideration, with the following informa-
ton
In addition to paying $50 per annum
per light for street lighting, the city pays
for lighting of certain public buildings and
Offices, so that, at present, the total ex-
penditure of the city for lighting Is, in
round numbers, $4,000 per annum
This sum will have to be increased, as
additional lights are provided. AS the
lease expires on the first of January 1898,
immediate and decisive action is necessa-
ry. In providing for lighting, a private
corporation will have to acquire a suitable
location, appropriate buildings and appur-
tenances, the necessary machinery and
fixtures, competent engineers, fremen and
employees, and the whole viii be subject to
taxation.
Il find upon investigation that the city
has at the present water works a suitable
location, so near to the great body of the
city as to make it desirable; appropriate
buildings, wherein there Is ample room for
an electric plant.
Sufficient energy in the boilers, now at
work, to feed the engines for the electric
plant and a complete corps of engineers
fremen and employees, exemption of city
property from taxation.
I have reached the conclusion that while
q municipal corporation should not engage
in competition with a private enterprise
yet it should be free TO do its own work
4 he fn cd
If it can furnish water to better advan-
tage than private corporation, or if it
can clean its streets more economically
and satisfactorily than they can be clean
ed by a private enterprise then il should
furnish water and clean its streets and en-
gage in work of similar corporate CHAR
acter.
1T is proper to observe that the water
works are now being lighted by electric
ity generated at the works. and see no
reason why the city lighting should not
be done by power generated by the city,
nor why the lighting of the city buildings
and offices should not be done in the same
way.
Il submit to you certain specifications
for the necessary electric plant, and beg
to inform you that a'representat tive of the
General Electric Company is expected
daily in this city, who will be prepared
10 give you estimates on the cost of the
machinery and installation.
My opinion is that by the adoption of
the plan suggested this city may become
one Of the best lighted cities in this coun-
try, and with saving of many thousands
of dollars to the municipality. After the
plant Is gotten into working operation. it
seems to me that the cost of maintenance
will be very small
II would advise the appointment of a
committee, say of three, who should be
authorized to proceed at once to provide
suitable lighting FOR the city, the whole
TO be completed and in active operation
by the LIST Of January, 1898 My informa-
ton is that the entire work can be COM
pleted within fifty days. / need not fur
Their impress upon you the vital necessity
for immediate action, as You will bear in
mind that the present lease expires on the
LIST of January, 1898"
After the caucus, which lasted about two
hours, the council went into open session.
The mayor announced that the board had
met TO consider the city lighting, and ask
ed what action would be taken. Alderman
Owens moved that committee of three
be appointed in accordance with the may
or's suggestion.
The mayor appointed Aldermen Davis,
Smith and O'Donnell. They are to pre-