The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1898-08-31
a. r HOBBS, Editor and Proprietor
FOR CONGRESS,
PAT HEN RY,
OF RANKIN.
WATER AND LIGHT PLANT.
Why an Assistant Engineer
was Employed.
SERVICE HAS GROWN BEYOND
ALL ORIGINAL ESTIMATES.
, gratifying showing for This Splendid
City Property

Gratifying showing for This Splendid
City Property
s;nce the publication of Alderman
scbnorrenberg's communication on the
18th inst, calling attention to the in
creased expenditures incurred in car
wing on the waterworks and electric
,;obt plant, The LEADER has made in
ou;rv to ascertain what facts, il any,
,here we're to warrant such an increase.
From Mayor Daughtry and City Clerk
WI. Seavey, whose official positions
snable them to have q more intimate
knowledge of matters bearing on this
snb;ect than other members Of the
city Administration, the following
statement is gathered. 1t cannot fail
N proye of interest to all taxpayers
and citizens of Brookhaven generally:
When the light and water plant was
accepted by the city council on Feb.
1st. last, there we're in operation 658
incandescent lamps, Is arc street lamps
and 96 water taps. At present there
are In use 1888 incandescent lamps,
II arc street lamps and 160 water taps.
On the date of acceptance 1t was con-
tempIsted that the incandescent ser.
vice would foot up $50 more, or a total
Of about 900 for the first year, and that
the water taps would probably reach
l5O. There was no contemplated early
increase in the arc system. The plant
has been in operation now only seven
months and the subscriptions to both
water and lights have exceeded all
expections, and there Is prospect for
an immediate increase in the incan-
descent service of over 100 lamps,
while the water taps will easily reach
900 by January 1st, next.
Besides the water taps now in use,
the city furnished to the railroad and
ice plant during the months of June
and July over 4,O00, 900 gallons of water.
The domestic use of water is very
great, which necessitates the running
Of the pumping machinery during the
greater part of the afternoon each day.
By employing the second assistant
engineer the work Is distributed equal
ly during the night and day and allow
ance made for sickness or accident,
besides the city now has all extra work
and wiring done without any addition.
al cost, and at the same time allowing
Mr.. Gull, the superintendent, more
time in which to inspect the lines,
lamps, etc. 1t was on the distinct un-
derstanding that the superintendent
was not to receive extra pay for wir-
ing that an assistant engineer was en-
ployed. Though doubtless uninten-
tional, Alderman Schnorrenberg's COM
munication was misleading on this
point, for the plain inference was 9TH
erwise With the. $500 salary of the
assistant engineer included in the
August expenses, the cost of salaries
for this month will be 1856 less than
was paid for salaries, wiring and line
work combined for month of July, be-
fore the assistant engineer was added.
To illustrate, the amount paid out for
July on account of salaries was S215. 90;
on account of wiring and repairing
lines, $3.50; total, S24S.55. Cost of
salaries for August Gncludipg wiring
and work on lines, for which no extra
charge is allowed), $245. Difference in
favor of August, 1856.
In reference to the Rogers PROPOSE
ton of $3.50 for operating the plant
" oho year tucTc Was uO IueuJIOu VI
day service, such as is necessary at
present, and all wiring and extra work
was to be an additional charge. The
Board endeavored to make satisfac-
tory deal with Mr.. Rogers, but he de-
ceilned absolutely on the ground that
his employer had increased his salary
and he felt in duty bound to remain in
his employ. The council, however,
through Messrs. Broughton and Rog-
ers, secured Mr.. Gull, whose worth and
ability are demonstrated in the condi-
ton of the plant and the splendid
service rendered.
!, The receipts and expenditures of
the plant for the month of August
Will stand about as follows:
RECEIPTS.
,@s lncandescent lights O. 3s,ic.. .$3G3.97
"Waer takers MSl 00............... IG0. 90 239
EXPENSES.
Fuel To ~
WI aud waste aste.-........-............ 25.OO-$4l0OO