The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-06-21


ew days it will be in frst-class con-
Iition.
The old blower in the Gas Works is
ntirely worn out, and we will arrange /
o replace it in the near future with a
lew pressure blower. We can proba- |
)ly get enough for the old blower. as
'crap, to pay for the new blower, and
with general shaft line connection be-
tween the small blower and the new
blower We expect to purchase. and the
two engines now in service in the Gas
Works side, we will have a complete
and continuous blower service, at q
large decrease in the consumption of
coal
We have had a 6-foot tight, board
renee erected around the entire city
and expect in this manner to
prevent the carrying off of much ma
terial. coal and other supplies. as we'll
as properly protect the grounds from
evil disposed persons.
The old frame house on the west Of
the electric light plant was sold to Mr..
John Lawrence and has been moved
away. and we viii park the plat
which was occupied by that house.
making a much more presentable ap-
pearance of the grounds and giving
us a convenient driveway 10 the rear
of the grounds for the purpose Of hand
ling coal. coke and other supplies.
This is the property on which we
found the mortgage Of about $3.50 and
for which you asked the council to
pass an ordinance appropriating an
amount sufficient to redeem this mort
gage.
The house Immediately on the east
adjoining the Gas Works property
was purchased from the Building &
Loan Association by the issue of
$500 worth of city bonds. We have
made general changes in the condition
of that property and will use the en-
tire building to properly take care of
supplies. material, workshop and
electric light testing room, ss well az
the location of our Office and q toilet
room for the use OF all employees at
these plants.
We have also purchased and have on
hand paint to paint all the buildings.
fences. and tanks one color with trim
mings the same for all buildings, and
we believe the entire city property will
make presentable appearance when
this work has been completed.
wish you would arrange with the
council or at least the Utility com.
mittee to make general inspection
of this city property the first OF July,
by which time we hope to have every
thing in running order and all I'm.
provements made about the ground:
TO- make a presentable appearance. Al
this time we would also extend cor
dial invitation to all citizens who are
interested in public utilities to visit
the plant and see for themselves tn,
condition and general valuation of on,
of their leading public institutions
and In this connection, / would lik,
especially to invite those who are op
posed to municipal ownership 10 visi
and convince themselves of the fallac.
of their argument, when they can se'
a property which has not cost the cit,
to exceed SO, 900 and which we hav,
been assured could be disposed of i'
"a hours time for $3.50. 900 cash, bu
we will be frank to say that with thi
sale there would be no more 75 cen
gas sold in Bellefontaine.
We have given this plant persona
and careful attention. and made sucl
changes and incurred such expenses a
we believed would be beneficial to th'
plant, and would enhance its valu'
with each purchase. Careful contract
have been made for supplies, and whel
we have completed all the work that i
now under way. we hope it may b
possible to further reduce the price o
fuel gas. But of this we cannot speal
authoritively until careful test ha
been made under tine maximum condi
tions as they may appear. as we be
lieve that aside from all expenses 70
the propsr handling of the plant. tn
city should receive either in light. o
money to apply on their bonds. a per
centage of at least seven per cent. ol
their investment of $40. 900 sftsl
an additional percentage Of from thre
to five per cent had been charged OF
for depreciation Of property and ma
chinery.
~he above respectfully referred T.
you for your information as require,
by the statutes
Yours Respectfully.
e. W. Buchanan.