Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-03-09
LIGHT PLANT
IN OPERATION

The history of electric Lighting IL
Danvile entered upon a new epoct
last night when the municipal plant
went into commission and for the first
time the streets of our Borough were
it.umiuatel by the new type of one
hundred hour arc lamps.
During Yesterday the final prepara-
tions were made. The arc lamps,
eighty in number, had all been tested
and these were hung in their respec-
tive positions about the streets. The
incandescent lights, twenty-four in
number, were also placed in position
at the poiuts designated.
While work was in progress on the
street system force Of mechanics was
employed in installing the new steam
separator at the light plant. which had
Just arrived. This was very success.. |.
fully inserted in the steam pipe "a few
feet above the valve chest of the Ell
CINE and by divestlnR the steam OF all
water will add very much to the eff
oacy of the high speed engine employ
ed
There was a good deal of curiosity
manifested to ste how the new plant
would operate and when the lights
went OH last night there were few
ewes in town that were not bent uron
the lamps The general success of the
ulant, however. had been previously
demonstrated BY experiment
Ii was not claimed tor the munici-
pal plant that the lights would estah-
lish a new record for brillisncy. Th
object rather was to secure greater
number of lamps to secure more
general diffusion of light throughout
the borouRh-aDd to secure the result
at a diminished cost. Whether Coun.
Gil has Land its plans we'll and viii &C
complish its object it will take little
time to d monstrate.
Arrangements are being made to op-
crate the municipal plant with min
imum of help. In point of fact there
is but one additional man employed
and he is tie Borough electrician. The
engineers at the water works will have
charge OF the engine and dynamo and
tile street system with its hundred
hour lamps. which require replenish
ing but once week, Mr.. Jones, the
electrician thinks, he can attend TO
himself
Yesterday Superin tendent George
VI. West had force of men employed
the street system of the
STANDARD Electric Light G"'--""-
- -.: IL - --'''rf "'' 80
lighting the streets. The Standard
Electric Light Company owns l25 poles
and these together with the fixtures
will be removed during the next four
months, which is the time limit allow
ed.
Electric lighting in Danville dates
from 1887. The year previous the Ex-
celsior Electric Light Company es-
tablished a small plant on the present
site of the warehouse of Welliver S
Hardware Company. This company
sold commercial light and in 1887 in
stalled a few arc lights about to"n.on
Mill and Market streets.
On September 30, 1888, the Consnm'
ers' Gas Company equipped a plant
and assum med a contract for lighting
the town. This plant continued in OPP
sration until 1898, when the Standard
Electric Light Company was orRaniz-
ed aud with thoroughly remodeled
plant and up to date system OF alter
mating current entered upon the CON
tract Of lighting the town.
During many years past George Nj.
West las been in charge as Snperln-
tendaut. Mr. West has brought into
his position all the requisites that &c
70 make a successful manager. Court
eous, obliging and just to the patrons
he has ever looked after his employers
interests aud impressed all as possess
INC a vast store of technical know ledge
oouuled with much experience which
enabled him at all times TO accomplish
the hest results with the facilities a
! hand