The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-31
TRAF FORD s REPLY
/ TO MR.. ANDERSON
Expert Electrician Files Lengthy
Document With Joint Finance
and Electricity Committee.
ERRONEOUS CONCLUSIONS
ERRONEOUS
CONCLUSIONS
Thinks Richmond Ought to Own
An Electric Power and
Lighting Plant.

In lengthy printed report to the Coun-
Gil Joint Finance and Electricity Com
mittee. Mr.. E. w Trafford, the special
electric expert. employed by the COM
mttee to look into the matter, takes is
sue with Mr.. E. w. Anderson, who re-
Gently addressed the committee in the in
terest of his clients, the Goulds, and in
opposition to the establishment Of light
and power plant by the city of Richmond
After dealing at great length in figures
by which he undertakes to demonstrate
that an electric lighting and power plant
under municipal ownership will be pro-
fitable and afford cheap light and power.
some length. He takes up Mr.. Ander-
sons contentious In regular order ami
answers them from his standpoint In re-
ply to the statement that Richmond is
now receiving its municipal light and
current at u cheaper rate than any city
of Its size in the United States, Mr..
Trafford gives list of 262 cities which,
according to the report Of the National
Electric Light Association, are paying
less than Richmond. Among the cities
are four in this State: Charlottesville,
Hampton, Lynchburg, Porthmouth and
Roanoke.
In speaking of the cost, Mr.. Trafrord
says: THE cost OF lighting depends not
alone upon the cost of electric current.
out also upon the particular form of the
current supplied. The current most gen
orally used in Richmond is OF q very
much higher voltage than Is usually EN-
ployed, and the incandescent lamps.
which necessarily have to be used for
this form OF current, require about twenty
per cent. more electricity than the usual
standard lamp for equal light, whilst for
arc lighting the results are even worse.''
Continuing, Mr.. Trafford says: with
reference to the suggest ton thatNthe I'M
|derground conduits and cables OF the pres
emit company cost 10000, whilst have
placed those of the city plant at s46,5T7.
] will state that the distributing point
from which the cables and conduits of
the city are presumed to radiate is CEN
trally located with respect to its load,
and that those of the present company
are unfavorably located. and are designed
to carry load twice as great as those
of the city
In regard to Mr.. Andersons final con-
clusion that conditions do not demand.
and that good business Judgment would
not Indicate the establishment Of a mu-
niclpal plant in the city. the report says:
THE time for the establishment of an
electric plant by the city of Richmond
Is never likely to be more opportune.'
"As stated in my report, the city is
confronted with the necessity OF provid-
ing additional pumping capacity for the
water works, In connection with the i'm
provements now being made at the set
ting basin. The report of the Water
Committee states that In order to provide
similar pumps to those in service at the
new pump house, with reserve steam
pumps. will cost s195.o0O.
@They also endorse the statement that
this expenditure can be reduced to $4,000
by using electrically operated pumps from
the proposed electrict plant.
"They state that the old pump house
property, which, according to Mr.. Ander-
sons statement, is worth $4,000. should
either remain idle for the future purposes
of the water department. or 1t should be
utilized for an electric plant. M
another argument brought out In the
same connection is the fact that the
present lighting contract will expire July
-. 1907. The city Will therefore be shortly
under the necessity of making a new
contract, should you decide adversely on
the proposition to establish the proposed
plant.
'Tfsthe proposed plant lis established,
the city will be enabled to obtain vast
ly superior street lighting aervice to that
now muse, and one corresponding to that
OF the tirst-class cities of the country, for
at least 80 per cent. less than you arc
now paying for the present service,
: In closing the argument. Mr.. Tratford