The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1904-01-29
Whole Number 2549.
About Electric Lqhts.

The electric lighting problem is always
with us. Again the plant is becoming
insufficient for the demands made upon
1t, and the power will surely be made
quate TO furnish good service when the
dry days of next summer come. More
electric lights are being put in all the
time, and the 200 light incandescent
dynamo is loaded nearly to its full ca
paclty every evening, there being several
alternating arcs supplied by it, as we'll
as all the incandescent system. When
this dynamo was bought few years
ago, it was thought ample provision had
been made for many years, but none
could forsee the progress of the town
and the demands that would be made
on the plant
The street lights are run with the
gasoline engine every night, dark or
moonlight, and the cost for fuel is about
so per week.
The question as to what is to be done
is now up, and the members of the
council are giving the matter careful
consideration.
Two plans are proposed One is to
buy the Tyler water power, and then di-
vide the plant. This property can be
bought, it is understood, for about
81 800 and it would probably cost fully
as much more to improve it, perhaps
considerably more than that Then it is
proposed to purchase a new 1000 light in
candescent dynamo and install at the new
power using the present incandescent
dynamo for all arc lights, discarding the
old arc dynamos and gasoline engine,
making change of arcs to an alternat-
ing current system. The objections
urged to this plan are that it would be
necessary to employ a second electrician
at the new plant, and that it is impos-
sible to develop sufficient power to run
a 1900 light machine to capacity AS
to the adequacy OF the power, The True
Northerner is not prepared to express
an opinion at the present time.
Another plan being discussed is to
make the same provision for dynamos as
above, to attach the l,200 light DYNAMO
to the present water power for arc lights,
and to install steam plant. probably
LOO to 10 horse power, for the running
of new 1000 light incandescent dynamo.
The objection urged to this plan is that
the coal bills would be much heavier
than the salary of an electrician at a
second water power plant. 1t is probable
that the initial cost would be about the
same in either instance probably S.
600 or 50, 600.
While conservative people are naturally
n M fn
the already heavy debt of the village, it
is difficult to see how, as long as the
village. is engaged in the business OF do
ing private lighting, it can consistently
refuse to furnish lights to all who de-
sire them, and it is certain that in order
to keep pace with the demand it will be
necessary to increase the capacity of the
plant in some way.
The expense of operation of the gaso-
line engine is such that, in spite of the
Increased amount of lighting done, it is
doubtful if the income of the plant will
pay operating expenses this year.
1t is not probable that the present
council will take any action in the mat
ter, but they will investigate it thorough
ly, and their findings will be of value to
the new council to be elected in few
weeks. In view of the probability of
this new expense, the annual report of
village finances will be awaited with in
terest
1t is said that agitation is the begin
ming of wisdom" and that the public
may be of assistance to the council in
acting wisely. The True Northerner
invites discussion of the electric light
problem through its columns.