The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1904-03-25

The heavy rain and flood from melting
snow carried out the dam of the electric
light pond at about o'clock Tuesday
morning, and since that time the users
fof incandescent lights have been com
PEELED TO resort to "the light of other
days" and kerosene lamps have been is
unprecedented demand, many homes be-
ing without a single lamp except small
one for emergency use.
The dam went out completely, and the
east abutment to the Main street iron
bridge was partly destroyed, letting one
corner of the structure fall into the body
of the stream. The township authorities
at once set to work and are now repair
ing the damaged bridge.
The gasoline engine furnishes suffi-
cient power to keep the street lights GO
ing, but is not adequate to run the in
candescent system, even If the street
service were abandoned.
The old and new council held an in
! formal meeting Tuesday evening. to talk
the situation over, and authorized the
old electric light committee to have an
estimate made by l.. w. Whitbeck of
vestigation was completed the following
day, and a council meeting was held
Wednesday evening, the new president
and councilmen taking their seats, and
the estimate of Mr.. Whitbeck was re-
ceived, at $1,000 for the completed work.
The council is going very thoroughly
into the matter. Electrician Kessler
was present, and stated to the board
that the plant is taxed to its utmost
capacity, and that if the water power is
made as good as before, 1T will be neces-
sary to supply at least 125-horse power
for auxiliary use, and also to increase
the dynamo capacity to meet next
winters demands on the plant.
Some sentiment is manifested on the
board and among the citizens generally
! for the abandonment of the waterpow-
er and the installation of steam plant
on the waterworks grounds, as it is
thought two men could attend to both
water and electric light plants, instead
of making the employment of three
necessary as at present.
Another plan suggested is to repair
! the waterpower and to leave the present
200 power alternator there for use ia
supplying street and commercial arcs,
and the installation of 1000 light
steam plant at the waterworks site, for
use on the incandescent circuit, and
then having the two connected so that
] the waterpower plant could handle all
! lights late in the evening and for the
early morning run.
Others favor the replacing of the dam
and the installation of such additional
power and dynamo as may be necessary.
Another plan suggested is to make an
arrangement to procure current from
the Kalamazoo Valley Electric Co.. s big
plant at Allegan, and to abandon the OPP
GRAFTON of a municipal plant entirely.
In opposition to this, the fact is pre-
sented that, owing to the high voltage
of this current, it would be necessary for
all private users to rewire for it, aud The
True Northerner believes that is a bur-
den that should not be imposed.
A special committee, Trustees Snow
and Shepard of the old electric light
committee, was appointed to investigate
various plans, get estimates of cost and
meeting next Monday evening.
The True Northerner is of the opinion
that the town has outgrown the old light
! ing plant with its limited facilities, and
that the present, when heavy expense
is unavoidable anyway, is an auspicious
time to make permanent improvements
and give an adequate plant.
AS to whether such a result can be
best attained by a complete steam plant
or by dividing the plant, we are not pre-
pared to express an opinion, but we do
not believe it wise TO ever install steam
plant, even in an auxiliary way, on the
present site, where it would be neces-
sary to haul coal half mile from the
railroad, instead of having the plant on
sidetrack, as at the waterworks.
More power must be provided. Larger
dynamos are a necessity. We do not
care to try to usurp any of the functions
of the common council, and we have
every confidence in their judgment, but
we feel it our duty to express our opin-
ion, and that is unequivocally that the
| time is here for the permanent improve
ment of the lighting plant, making it
thoroughly modern and adequate for
years to come, and that in the most
economical manner, both as to installa-
tion and operation, that is consistent
with the end to be attained.
In the event of a steam plaut being
established, it is probable an increased
rate for lighting would be necessary;
but our present rate is very low, and we
believe few patrons would object to
little higher price for good service, if it
should be found necessary.
President Titus made the excellent
suggestion that, as soon as possible af-
ter the report of the special committee
next Monday evening, a mass meeting
of citizens be called to discuss the mat
ter, so that the council may have their