The Topeka state journal., 1903-04-20

Porter Mitchell is al present working
for the street railway as engineer at the
power house. He took this place about
a month ago, prior to which change ne
had been employed continuously in the
city electric light plant for about four
teen years. He started in to work for
the city light plant without pay, and
has held all positions from the ground
up. When he quit he was head trim
mer, and was recognized as the best
posted man in the city on the line work
of the city plant. He is familiar, how
ever. with all departments of work at
the light plant. He is 81 years of age.
and was born in LeaVenWorth. He has
lived in Topeka for 27 years. His home
is at 81 Madison street
It is probable that other changes in
the force at the plant viii be made
Mayor Bergundthal said today:
Mr.. Goodrich is to be removed, and
possibly others. I have been informed
that the plant is badly run down, and
that extensive repairs will be necessary
to put it into good shape. An EFFORT has
been made to make a record for econo-
my and it has been done at the expense
of the plant
Mr. Goodrich claims that the facts
have been misrepresented to Mayor
BergundthaI by parties who were per-
sonally hostile to himself. He thinks
that a former superintendent of the
plant is at the bottom of his removal.
Apparently the city electric light
plant is in excellent condition. except
that IT does not have enough dynamOs
to carry all the lights which certain
members of the council want to put in.
This is not the fault Of the superin-
tendent.
During the year which Superintendent
Goodrich has been in charge of the
plant. the machinery has not only been
maintained in good condition, but
numerous expensive Improvements and
additions have been made Superln-
49, -~s,I- hos
lent Judgment in buying new machln-
erv and has saved the city great deal
of money.
IT was in January. 1902. that Mr.
Goodrich was appointed to succeed MT Nlr.
Munson Since then 81, ,50S.10 has gone
/ into improvements and important re
pairs Besides that. 4 great deal mas
! been spent for minor items OF expense
] in maintaining the machinery
Supt Goodrich found when he went
/ in that the two wells which had been
drilled at the plant to supply 1t WITH
water had been allowed to rust out ana
/ ting water from the city at an expense
! Of from $50 to $10O month. Mr.. Good
rich found time to drill a new We'll 70
feet deep and inches in diameter, Win
/ tools which he personally owned and by
lusing the men regularly hired al the
plant. at a very small cost to the city.
He then was able to pick up at Kansas
City a $500 pump for about $9O' wnlch
]
/ pump is now working perfectly This
one Improvement enables the city to
pump it's own water, and save the ollls
i from the Topeka water company.
/ When Mr. Goodrich took charge Of
the plant he found that what is called
the No boiler was in such bad cOndl-
tson from scale that new flues We're
necessary. The new fiues were Dut in
at cost of S225- He has since been at
work cleaning out the scale in the boil
ers which accumulated under former
/ administration and now has the boilers
in good condition
sDected the boilers on January s. 1908,
and pronounced them in good condition.
i The inspection certificate Is endorsed
+ care and mana cement good by the
4 inspector The Maryland Casualty
| company insures the boilers, and keeps
close track CT their condition.
The whole city pla-t seems to be
clean and in frst-elass order.
1t seems to be a queer charge to urge
against a man in the city of Topeka
that he is too economical a little
more economy would be 4 mighty val
liable institution in the management q
city affairs.
Here are some Of the items for i'm
provements and extensive repairs which
appear in Superintendent Goodrieh's re-
port.
New fiues. No boiler. ..........-. 1925. 90
Calking hues, bushing. ete.--....-- 96.17
Cross arms, pins and Wire lI4-3S
New rope and hardware ---....-a.. 159 81
Cart for hauling poles --..-...--.- 6.00
STRAIN lnSuIatorS ZV-eu
New brushes for dynamos ........ 1900
Repairs in boiler room. l.-.......... 72.o0