The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-01-18
fOFFICIALS ARE RETiCENT
President RiIlyer Says City Plant Will bsReadY
in a Few Weeks---Idea of Consolidation
Observation-Disclosures Now Fum-
ishcd at River Plant.

lS"FQ dt nWeI ] idHl'
Competition in the line of electric
lighting and the furnishing of electric
power will be increased in Raleigh with
in the next thirty days when the power
of the Raleigh ice and Electric Com
pany will be transmitted over the wires
strung from Milburnie to this city.
The situation is three-fold In the
matter of electric lights the new COM
pany will enter the field and compete
for residential and store lighting con-
tracts against the Raleigh Electric Com
pany, and the Standard Gas and Elec-
trio Company while in the matter OF
furnishing electric power the competi-
ton will be solely between the new COM
pany and the Raleigh Electric Company.
The new building for the Raleigh Ice
and Electric Company is nearing COM
pletion. Mr.. Hillyer, president and gen.
eral manager, is authority for the state
ment that if the weather continues aus
picious the brick work will be complete,
and the transformers in place by the
middle of February, and that the current
will be turned on Immediately.
The wires, which will bring to this city
the six thousand volts are ready for the
transit. Today they enter the new build
ing at the end of West Hargett street,
where workmen are fast putting the
finishing touches on the interior of the
building preparatory to the placing in
position of the machinery for the electric
plant.
At Miburnie six thousand volts are
sent into the city, and it is necessary
that this power be reduced to about
LOO volts at the plant in town. The
machinery is all within the enclosure on
Hargett street
At Milburne the plant is in running
order and lights are constantly burning
there. Mr.. A. H. Byrum, the chief en-
gineer, is in charge. The plant there is
simply waiting for the electric apparatus
to be put in position in the steam plant
in town.
President Hillyer says that the power
at Mlburnie varies during the seasons
of the year from ECO to $50 horse power,
and that the steam plant in this city
will have 200 horse power. This is mere
ly auxiliary and during the greater part
of the year will not be required. In
summer months when water is extreme
ly low and when there is a drought SINH
lar to that of last summer the steam
power plant will be necessary Every
few years a freshet visits tho Neuse
to such an extent that there is no water
fall, and at that time the plants en-
tire capacity may be used.
1t is a matter of speculation as to
whether the entering of the Raleigh Ice
and Electric Company into the field will
affect the price of lights and power to
city consumers. This has not been de-
nit himself along these lines. 1t is
said, however, that the Raleigh Ice and
Electric Company is entering the arena
ready to wait the survival of the fittest.
Mr.. Hillyer says that his present plans
do not include any increase in the size
of the ice plant, belonging to his COM
pany. The plant will be run by electric
power from Milburnie. and 3dr. Hillyer
says that he has already made several
contracts. Among the number it is
known that the Raleigh iron works are
going to give up their independent steam
plant and try electric power.
Just how many miles of the most cost
ly wire is used in bringing this power
into the city or how much money has
already been invested is not stated, but
interested parties say that the plant is
one of the most complete in the South
Mr. Hillyer says that the weather
alone can delay the work longer than one
month. All of the material necessary
for the completion of the company's
plans is already stored here in this city.
The necessary number of men are con-
stantly employed on the work.
1t is understood that until very re-
Gently there was a scheme on foot for
re
plants in this city, but Mr.. Hillyer says
that this matter is no longer discussed
and that he is proceeding independently.
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