Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-10-19

the paper attracted the most general
interest OF anything on the program
The paper prepared and read by Mr.
Abbott is as follows: -
The question of combined water
works and electric lighting plants
is one of vital interest to all cities
and is one of such magnitude in its
economy and successful operation that
IF properly managed 1t becomes pride
to all citizens, as 1t is in Marshalltown.
1T is a question that is practical in
every sense. In all cases engineers
are necessary in the water works sta
ton at all times. An argument in a
financial way of $500 to $1,000 per year
In favor of a combined plant. Our
combined plant is operated by two en-
gineers and two tiremen, at an an
nual expense for their salaries Of
$4,000. Our chief engineers has held
the position for twenty years, a recon-
mendation in itself that needs no fur
ither comment. And let me say right
here that the civil service rule should
apply in all cases in these appointive
offices. Efficiency recognized and
maintained. Don't hang these appoint
ments on the political plum tree.
I cannot go into the details of our
improvements and expenditures, but
this information will be cheerfully sup
piled by the water works department
of our city upon request of any mem
Der present.
The water works system of our city
was established in 1876, contract for
same being $46,500,OO0. Original con-
tract called for a little less than five
miles of mains and fifty MIGRANTS.
Since this date additions and extern
sions have been made until the city
now has system that cost $295,OO0,
and about $4,000 of this amount was
expended without satisfactory results.
In trying to improve the water sup
ply. We now have thirty miles Of
mains and 2S6 fire hydrants. Our
pumps are modern. We have a cover
ed reservoir that cost, $4,000, and a
supply of good we'll water which is
handled by q set of low pressure
pumps from forty-two wells.
The electric street lighting sys-
tenn was installed in 1886. The gener-
ating machinery was placed in the
pumping station so the same employees
could operate both plants. This plan
has proven perfect success.
The first cost of installing the cleo
trio plant was $12,SO0. This included
the enlarging of the pumping station,
increasing the boiler capacity, placing
100 horse power corliss enginne, two
80 light I. & H. generators direct
currently. siXty-two 1900 candle power
arc lamps, located at various points
thruout the city. This required the
ri irr IF nh Cd %
wire.
Since the plant was Installed the
system has been enlarged and extend
ed to the present cost of SIT, 500. Our
city is now lighted with 1874 10 and 1G-
hundred candle power arc lights. The
latter ones are the late style $50 hour
lamps.
The cost OF operating and maintain
ing combined plant is simple prob
lem, but still one that causes consid-
cradle comment from the fact that
municipalities that now own such a
plant are satisfied with what they now
have and do not take the trouble to
look up the advantage of such COM
bination or to resent the attacks of
companies or corporations opposed to
the proposition.
we have prepared, q say we, for the
superintendent Of our works is re-
sponsible for part of the fgures) fig
ures showing original and present costs
of water works and electric light
system separately and combined, and
have based Same on company or cor
poration ideas. Il have no means of
knowing positively that corporations
operating water works plants figure on
this basis, but the idea is followed ex-
tensively in manufacturing plants, of
which have reason to know. - do
this so you VIII clearly
and believe it 70 be
the only way to make n Ctr