The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1904-05-06
Whole Number 1868.
About Electric Liq hts.

| AT council meeting Monday evening,
no business was transacted except the
receiving and adoption of the following
report from the electric light committee:
The electric light committee submit
the followng
"lst-An offer from the Paw Paw Mill
ing company to sell their waterpower,
etc, to the village for 50, 500.
"2d-An offer from G.. W. Tyler to sell
his wat0rpower to the village for $500.
"They recommend the folloming:
THAT the village attorney be instruct
J ed TO prepare the necessary resolutions
to submit the following questions to the
electors of the village:
"lst-Shall the village bond itself for
sufficient sum to rebuild the dam and
make necessary repairs at the present
electric light plant?
"2d-Shall the village bond itself for
sufficient sum to purchase the power,
ETC., offered by the Paw Paw Milling
company?
"3d-Shall the village bond itself for a
sufficient sum to purchase the power
offered by c. w. Tyler?
"4th-Shall the village bond itself for
sufficient sum to put in steam plant
at the waterworks?
That careful measurements be made
by the village electrician and by Mr..
Dana Smith to determine the actual
capacity of each of the waterpowers
offered to the village, and that they also
examine what if any repairs or changes
will be required to each of said powers
to fit them for the use of the village, and
the probable expense involved therein,
and the time necessary to complete the
same, and report their result at the next
meeting of tie council.
ID. ANDERSON,
l.. +. SHEPARD"
The people generally will be glad that
the electric lighting matter is taking
definite shape, and no time should be
lost in submitting some plan to the votes
of the people.
The True Northerner believes it is the
proper function of the council to decide
on what is the best policy to pursue, and
what power it is advisable to use, and
the amount of money necessary to be
raised to make the required improve
ments, and then submit definite propo-
sition to the electors. However if the
matter comes up in the shape outlined
in the committee report, it will no doubt
be decided wisely, unless sentiment be
so evenly divided among the various
propositions that all fail to carry by the
two thirds vote necessary to carry the
appropriation.
In explanation of the various PROPOSE
tions just few words will not be out
of place.
The Paw Paw Milling company offers
for the $500 the waterpower, buildings
and such shafting, etc, as the village
will use for the lighting plant, the com
pany to remove its milling machinery.
The company claims its power now de-
velops $50 TO 100 horsepower, and that
there is plenty of water to develop 80
horsepower if larger wheels are put in.
The power is in excellent shape, with
new dam and steel tlume, and if it meas
ures up to the amount stated it would
be adequate, and the proposition is
worthy of serious consideration. 1t is
contended by some that if this power is
purchased, the Tyler power above should
also be acquired, so that no other pur-
chaser could injure the village by hold
ing the water to fill the upper pond, at a
time when the village needed it, and this
is the reason for advancing the PROPOSE
we understand there is no serious thought
of using his power at all.
In the matter OF fixing up the old
power, it is proposed to build cement
dam at an approximate expense of S35 90.
and to build it high enough to secure
the full l4-foot head to which the village
is entitled, and thus develop 120 to 13O
horsepower when there is sufficient water
to fill the pond. This would be adequate
for present needs, but in dry time it is
possible to fill the present pond, so
a higher head would then be useless,
and resort would necessarily be had to
auxiliary power-and il cost about 81 900
to run the gasoline engine last year.
AS TO a complete new steam plant ia
connection with the waterworks, it is
estimated this would cost, ready to run,
about S1l 900, and that 81 800 at least
would be required each year for coal in
addition to that already used at the
waterworks. But, to partially offset this
expense, two men could do all the work
of both plants instead of three men as
at the present, so that the net cost of
operation would be but little more than
: that Of running the gasoline engine as
auxiliary power.
The question is one OF great import
ance to the village, and no mistake
J should be made. A decision should be
made on some plan, and that quickly.
The True Northerner does not care at
present to advocate any particular plan,
but we will be glad to give space to
signed articles from any village tax
, payer giving his views on the matter