River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1900-05-24
Water Power and Electric Lights.


Public sentiment in this city is in
favor Of electric lights. The most
economical method Of eiiectlng This
general intention has been undef con-
sideration for some time. Right mere,
convenient, sufficient, unused, IS
water-power capable OF developing
electricity and working the pumps at
the waterworks. To this end the at
attention of the people has turned
and all other propositions for electric
lighting plants have been discarded or
held in allowance. We want the wa
ter works and lighting plant, owned
and operated by the city and develop
ed by this available water power ada
cent. We want this because it is
plainly lust what we ought TO have.
1t is demand that is feasible, econ
omical, satisfactory Of control. This
desire and intention of the people
may now be realized. We are in a
situation where we can vote bonds TO
build lighting plant and secure the
use OF the water-power without imam
cial EN- barrassment. The way Is very
plain and the prospect very favorable
for a lighting plant under circum-
stances that would seem to be the
best we could reasonably expect.
+ The council can now make certain
and definite arrangements TO secure
to the city the use OF the water-power
at a reasonable rental with an assur-
ance of municipal ownership at con-
venience. The banks have agreed TO
buy the falls, at a price approved by
the council TO develop and lease
the power to the city at an annual
rental equal to per cent interest on
the amount of money furnished for
this purpose. The banks have the re-
fusal of this property for 30 days at
Si000-$5000 for the junction falls
and $4,000 for the Foster falls. To
build the necessary dam and flume to
make the power available may cost
something like $4,000. If the bonds
to the amount of $4,000 are voted the
sth of June, a pretty definite esti-
mate OF the possible limit Of tax for
the project can be made. The inter
est on the money furnished by the
banks (Sl0, 000) would be 5000 and the
interest on the bonds 1920, the sum of
which. 1890, is but a little larger than
the present cost of fuel for tire water
works and the maintenance of our in
efficient street lighting with kerosene.
The question of fuel to furnish
steam for power to run the pumps at
the water-works is an important one,
under present conditions, and ii can
readily be seen that in the near future
the cost will be largely increased. II
an electric light plant is built here TO
be run by steam power IN connection
with the water-works the annual out
lay for fuel alone, judging from other
towns with works of similar capacity,
cannot be counted at less than S2500.
This great expense, which would be
constant or constantly increasing, is
entirely eliminated from the ques-
tion with the plants run by water
power. With water-pOwer we also
save large sums that would be requir-
ed in a steam power plant, such as
boilers and the extra housings.
What the plant would earn depends
largely upon circumstances the
amount of patronage given 10y. the
public, and an estimate would be
mostly speculative. Estimates have
been made and figures given with
more or less exactness, but it is readi-
ly seen that but little reliance can be
placed on these. The most satisfac-
tory method OF consideration is TO en-
quire as TO what plants of similar
character ana capacity are uOlng ia
towns where they are operating. The
Council have Investigated this phase
OF the question and are assured by
towns owning and operating their
plants that the service has been uni
formly satisfactory to the people, and
as compared with private ownership,
has furnished lights much cheaper.
An electric lighting plant is profit
- 80 ftNrA r
pany. 1t follows that municipal
ownership can be as profitable. In
the former case the profits go TO he
owners-the company. In the latter
the profits go to the. citizens. The
earnings Of a plant of the character
under consideration will pay for it
self. There is no doubt but what the
plant could earn such an amount
above the expense Of running as
would pay the interest and the bonds
as they matEred.