The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1902-02-11

Yesterday the star printed a
sho object OF which was TO show
that the estimates previously pub
ilshed in the star. OF the probable
cost OF lighting under municipal
system. were Inaccurate In many
particulars. The claim was made
that the stars estimates were too
low, and thu assertion was sought
20 be demonstrated b. figures from
xhe books OF the company.
No attack Is made upon the stars
figures for fixed charges. or the
cost OF power. and In private discus
sion the corporations officials have
not challenged them further than 20
say, as they DO In their printed state
ment. that such calculations are AZ
best hut estimates II may be as
sumcd, therefore. that tho estimates
made are not wide OF the mark. The
controversy then. Is practically con-
fined 10 the operating expenses.
The Company : FiEures
The corporation gives It's account
az the expense % maintaining street
lights during the past year at SIS
SAL. or s2S.4e per arc light, figuring
all expenses for both arcs and In
candescents together. The stars
figures for tho same expense were
si0.S0 per light. (star FEB. 81 But
substituting the Seattle Electric
Co.'S figures for operating expenses,
we have thu following:
so per cent. OF one horse pow
er, at siS.oo................. 90
Fixed charges distribution
plant ...... ............s...... - 81
Operating expense -. .......... . ts
So 80
Present rate paid to Seattle Elee-
trtcal sees. ...................SI1 -
Difference in favor Of city. 70 "a
The cost Of incandesoeut lights
would be as follows:
IS IS per cent. horse power...t J %
Fixed charges distribution 49,. 3 %
Operating expense -. ........ ass
Total ...... ............. $40 50
Present rate paid Go Seattle
Electric Co, per year .......ti5 %
Difference In favor city. per
light ......... ................. 4 IL
Avery BIG saviax
Now, referring again to the Star
Of Feb s. upon the nattaro Of probable
profit from the sale OF the surplus
1900 horse power IL IL there calctiiRt-
ed that that profit would reduce the
cost OF arc Nights By the sum OF
s77.5o each, and of incandescents
$50 each SubtractinK these
amounts from the above estimates
Of ss2.ss and tloss. made upon the
basis OF the Seattle Elsctric Co.'S
estimates OF operating expenses. and
the result viii be s3o2s each for arc
lights and t439 for Inekndesoent
lights annually.
The Seattle Electric CO. now
charges tho city ga each per year
year for incandescent street lights.
Taken at the cosnpany's own figures
the differences r. quite apparent.
Mix tas Aeesants
No criticisms has been made Of
the Seattle Electric Co.'S ltsmlred
figures Of operating expenses. They
are doubtless correct. according to
that corporations system Of charE-
ing TO different accounts. II N, how
ever, well known that the company
has been expanding rs facilities rap
idly 20 meet its increasing business,
and II Justly takes pride in that fact
II In difficult 10 separate repairs
from construction in many cases. as
labor and material are employed IN
both to a great extent CONFORMITY.
The Star IL Informed by competent
authority, that corporations incline
to charge expenditures 20 repair
rather than 20 construction, and that
the figures given by the Seattle III
ectrfc Co. bear the ear-rrlarks Of that
method. But the showing In favor
OF municipal ownership IL sufficient
by taking the corporations own
statements
A Peculiar Argument
The Seattle Electric Co. combats
the assumption that power could b
cold for $40 per horse power, and
suggests that as the rate % the sno-
qualnle Co. r. $50 per 1000 horse
power, II would probably make
Tn Commit