Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-03-11

THE LIGHT PLANTING. Z. Franz
GoldsborouRh, of New York, appeared
before the joint committees on finance
and light OF the City Council last night
and on behalf OF q New York syndicst!
outlined proposition to take over and
operate the gas and electric light plant:
of this city. Besides the committees
several other gentlemen we're present
Mr.. Goldsborough stated that bis prln
cipals do not ask for the transfer OF the
titles of the plants or of the franchises
but simply contract to operate under
those franchises for q term of years
As stated In yesterdays Gazsttee toe
company proposes to give, under a
bond OF 800, 900, eighteen osndle-power
gas to t1e consumers OF this city at 81
per thousand feet. 10 place OF the pres.
eDt rate; also to give the city the usual
amount OF gas for lighting city Office
buildings, Oh irritable institutions. &c.,
free, amounting to about 100000 feet
per annum to rebuild the gas plant at
q cost OF 10000, and to pay the city
during the life OF the contract a bonus
of 10 cent, on each thousand feet OF gas
sold to consumers.
Mr.. Goldsboroueh stated that cleo
tricity would be furnished to consum-
ers at oorrespondingly low figure, II
council and the public desire 1t, the
city to receive the same percentage of
the gross receipts from that source as
from the gas. He would furnish free OF
cost to the city the present number of
electric street lamps. Mr.. Colds
borough pointed to the fact that
the cost OF maintaining the electric
plant for several years past has al
most equsled the profits received from
tle sale of gas, aud taking into con.
sIderation the depreciation OF the latter
plant, as evidenced by the project now
Op foot to rebuild at a cost OF $40. 600,
the city has been losing money on the
double Investment. Among other
itsms of his proposition either party
shall have the privilege OF terminating
the contract st the expiration of ten
years. 10 the event that the contract
is continued for long term OF years,
the appraised value of the improve
ments, extensions, and renewals up to
$25, 900 are to belong to the city. Mr..
Goldsborough further stated that bis
company would not be willing ID make
any stipulations ss TO the retention OF
the present employees OF the two plants.
but he assured the committee that all
who were found competent would be
retained, and that should their plans
msterislize it would probably be nee
essary to double the working force by
the end OF two years.
In q nutshell Mr.. Goldsborough's
proposition Is this: The city receives
about 81 900 net annually from the gas
plant; it pays out about Sc, 500 annually
to operate the electric plant, leaving a
net balance for the city for operating
the two plants of $500. Uuder his
offer be says the city would certainly
receive 81, 900 net for the first year and
probably $4,000 within two years; the
gas consumers would get better and
cheaper gas and the city would be at
once saved the expenditure OF 800 900
on the gas plent and the expenditure
at an early date of about 10000 for
renewing the electric light plant.
Mr.. Goldsborough will submit his
proposition to Council and ask that 1t
be referred to committee for further
invet tigstioD.