The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-26
LIGHT FOR CITY.
CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGE


a day for every lamp failing to give the
proper service. 1t is provided that at any
time the Board of Works deems 1t neces-
sary to increase the number of lamps from
1.500 or 1900, as the case may be, TO
greater number. the same must be done
by the contractor at the same rates as
charged for the original lamps. The Board
of Works will have the right to abolish To-
cations or make whatever changes in To-
cations 1t may deem necessary. The con-
tractor Is given the right to use all de-
vices and improvements in electrical ma
except that the cost to the city shall not be
increased. 1t is also specifically provided
that the city shall not be held liable for
violation of patents made by the contractor
in using any devices or machinery to give
service to the city.
An important provision of the contract is
that the Board of Park Commissioners shall
have the privilege of using lamps in the
city parks at the same rate as paid by
the city for street service. Rentals are due
on the tenth of each month. In the event
a new company is organized TO take the
lighting contract il is provided that 1t shall
be granted all necessary franchises and
rights, franchise identical practically with
that now enjoyed by the Merchants Light
ing and Heating Company. 1t is specified
that lights shall be extended to any ter
ritory on petition of property owners in
sufficient number to justify fifteen incan-
descents for every 400 feet.
BOND OF $4,000.
bond, and on the awarding of the cotract
must deposit a fund of $1,000 for the use
of the board as an emergency fund. 1t is
again provided that the number Of lights
shall not be less than 1900, but If before
JAN I, 1905. the board decides that 2, 600 must
be used at the rates bid, the contractor
must agree to put them in service. On
sixty days written notice, after the con.
tract has gone into operation, the board
may demand additional lamps. 1t may dis
continue certain lamps at thirty days no.
tice, not more, however, than fifty lights a
year, and never reducing the number below
1,500.
Ii has been decided this year to give in
candescent lamps a thorough trial, and *
is believed their use Will be justified. Many
streets are so heavily shaded that arc lights
placed on high fail to give proper service.
1t is thought that number of incandescent
lights arranged with view toward dissi-
pating the shadow will be far more effective
and satisfactory. The arc lamps are to be
the latest inclosed arc type, OF the most
approved type. The incandescents are to
be the approved fifty-candle power type.
The supports are to be of the boulevard
type in the downtown districts. No mast
shall be used In this district. All arc
lamps are to be suspended over the street.
The contract contains subway clause.
In case a subway is ever built, the con-
tractor will be given the right to put under
ground work in 1t.
DIRECTORS PRESENT VIEWS.
The views of the directors of the Com
mercial Club are outlined in the following
81. That the city should be divided into
two sections: (a) That embracing the dis
trict in which the wires are under ground.
(b) The remaining part of the city.
MIR. Perry says that the underground
wires comprise about 10 per cent. OF the
company's lines. Reports from other cities
show that the additional cost of putting the
wires under ground is in the neighborhood
of 40 per cent. of the entire expense and
construction of the system
IF bids were called for both for the city
as an entirety and separately upon these
two districts the city would be in position
to take whichever method was the cheaper.
1.-The present company having its conduits
in and using them it does very largely
for its commercial lighting, ought to be
able TO do this work much more economic
ally and cheaply than could a new COM
pany. If II should retain this part of the
lighting and a new company obtain the
other. the tearing up of the streets for the
construction of new conduits would be thus
avoided.
49, There should be a provision made for
the reimbursement of the rates upon appli-
cation by the city every two and one-half
or five years. The new rate, however, TO
be in no event higher than the contract rate.
This would enable the city TO obtain the
benefit of any changes in the methods of
manufacturing electricity which might en-
able IL to be produced at largely less cost
than at present. There seems To be strong
tiic men that within the near future such
changes will occur.
such provision should be carefully pre-
pared and the elements which are to enter
into the readjustment should be distinctly
and clearly determined that any pros
pective bidder may not be unduly hampered
by this provision.
80 Either the city should pay for its own
inspection of work being installed or there
should be some limitations placed upon the
number of inspectors to be used in order
that the prospective bidder may not be
compelled TO meet the unknown quantity,
against which he may only guard himself
with safety by estimating an outside and
maximum amount which may be entirely
beyond that which is necessary.
~ The character OF material and size of
poles should be definite that the bidder
may know that upon which he has TO count
and estimate accordingly.
%. Provision should be made that at
the expiration of the contract the poles
and conduits OF the old company might be
used by the successful bidder for the next
contract. upon such terms as might be
equitable. provision being made as to the
mode OF its ascertainment.
THE object of this is TO prevent the du-
plication OF poles and conduits which are
becoming burden To the citizens by reason
OF their great number.
80 The bids for arc and incandescent
lights should be made seyerally"