Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1906-07-21

about the progress of the work and the
results thus far accomplished by the
Citizens Light & Traction Company.
the plans of which company have been
indicated to limited extent in our
columns heretofore.
1t will be remembered that when
the Salem system became part of the
PORTLAND business, and the valley
scheme of power distribution was an.
nounced that the manager of the local
company stated that additional engine
power, boiler power and electrical ap.
paratus would be installed as quickly
as possible. 1t is opportune at this
time, owing to the condition of the
plant, and the breaking of ground for
| the Salem-Portland line to indicate to
our readers what has been done in car.
rying out the plans and promises which
the new owners made when they took
charge about the 1st of April.
1t was remembered that it was pro
posed to improve the service and in
line with this intention the power
house has been completely re-wired.
so that the Silverton water power
plant and the machines in the Salem
power house work together on the
same feeders, and consumers of elec.
tric light and power have noticed that
the intermittent switching and wink.
ing of the lights every night prior to
the advent of the new company has
entirely ceased, and that it is only on
rare occasions that there has been
trtouble of this nature, which has been
brought about almost entirely by
minor troubles incident to changing
machinery.
A promise which was made for both
electric light and electric power has
been made good by the installation of
400 horse power generator. This ma
chine has been running now in the Sa.
lem plant for about six weeks. This
machine has nothing to do with the ad'
ditional street car power. which was
promised This street car power has
been provided for in a separate and
distinct engine and generator of 600
horse power capacity, and, in order to
take care of this additional engine,
and at the same time furnish a reserve
two additional boilers, capable of sup
plying 250 horse power have been in
stalled, and are now ready to operate.
This gives a total boiler capacity for
the entire plant of approximately 1000
horse power.
In order to furnish a reliable service
and to overcome the difficulties Incl
dent to the operation of this plant on
a wood.fring basis, the company has
installed an oil-burning equipment,
enabling them to make steam either
quickly or to discontinue its gem
Grafton instantly These are most of
the things that have been accomplished
in the way of the generating station.
The work is still progressing there and
it will be probably so days before the
work is completed, A very substan'
tial sum will have been expended when
this work is finished.
Another matter that has been done
by the company, but concerning which
the public is probably in large meas
ure unaware, is the improvement OF the
track from the cemetery for a mile
and half along the Liberty road as
a continuation of the substantial and
permanent ballasting and reconstruc
tion of South Commercial street
There is now a very substantial track
from the heart of the city for over
three miles to the souht. This track
age is being used now for hauling
rock for street improvements for the
city and county, and it will be but
few days before the trestle and thou
sands.yard rock bin at the fair grounds
will be- in operating condition. This
enterprise promises to be OF great
value to the country at large and is
contamination is due largely to the
efforts of the county court.
Tn the matter of line work, the
company stated when it hrst 'OOk
charea that a considerable amount OF
this kind of work would of necessity
have to be done and for the past TWO
months in addition to taking care OF
a great deal of repair work improve
m.@ts have been hade in the Overhes II
system by the removal Of consideraois
.nrnl,,. wire and the way opened Tor
a thorough Ovsrhauling Of pole iin0