The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1901-12-24
SOME oT OUR PEOPLE IN DARKNESS.
Moro Arc and Incaudest ont Lights Needed
n Larger and II Bottor Systcm, which
could bU Run Cheaper
Suggested.

Last week we made mention Of the
| Tact that representative Of tho Gene
raj Electric Company of Atlanta was in
the city and had conference with the
city council and the commissioners of
public works in regard t0a change in
our system Of electric lighting. Un-
fortunately when our system was put
IN we did not provide for the rapid
growth Of the town and the increased
demand for incandesccnt lights. Our
dynamo has capacity OF fifty arc
lights aud we are now carrying fifty
one. Even with this, there are sec
tlons OF the city which are not lighted ut
all, and which should have, and are en-
titled to lights. We need at least scv-
cnty-tive arc lights, and if system is
put In provision should be made for ut
least one hundred street lights. The
incandcscent dynamo has q capacity of
one thousand sixteen candle power
lights, and we are now carrying fifteen
hundt ed and there is demand for more.
OF course it is not probable that all
these fifteen hundred will burn at tho
same time but it is possible. We should
have an incandescent dynamo capable
Of earring at least twenty five hun
dred sixteen candle power lights. 1t
will be seen that both dynamos are now
overloaded.
The system which is proposed is com.
parativcly new in series Of altcrnat-
ing enclosed arc lights. The current
for the arc lights is taken from the
Same machine rs the current for house
lighting, and will require only one ma
chine and one engine. Our present
system has two dynamos and two en-
gines. 1t is claimed that greater etli-
cheney can be had from one large ma
chine than two small ones and that
from one large euginc more power can
be developed than with two small en-
gines OF the same horse power. In de-
veloping this power there will also be
saved in tho item Of fuel at least fifteen
per cent. In other words instead of
the fuel bill being $240 per month as at
present, with one engine and one ma
chine carrying fifty per cent. more
Fight and moro powor tue fuel bill
should not be any more and possibly
should not exceed 5000 per month.
The city could pay the same money
that it is now paying for lighting the
streets and get at least fifty por cent.
more light, and tt commissioners of
public works would save money 10y
giving this additional service.
The cost of this change at the station,
Including seventy.ive new lamps, is
estimated at 5000. 1t is also csti-
mated that our present engines and
the two dynamos aud the lamps could
be sold for a sufficient sum to put in a
new engine.
1t seems to us that it would be the
part of wisdom and good business judg-
meDt to make the change and do it at
once. If the money is not available it
could be borrowed at a low rate OF in
forest and those people in the city who
are now without light on the streets
could have the benefit of it. They are
as mach eutitled to light as any other
part OF the city because they are re-
quired to pay their proportionate share
Of the present system and are receiving
no benefit. We trust that our city
council aud commissioners of public
works will look at this matter In the
same light They must either make
the change or increase tho lights in
o~6 or ia ba f0ir and iuet to all of tho
taxpayers of the city. They can not
iuc' ease the lights because the present
dynamo Is already overloaded. The
only thing, therefare, that remains to
be done is to make the change q, here
suggested.