East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1906-03-01

Than 1,2OO,OOO Gallons Within II
Hours, Electric Company Will Re-
Ceive Extra Remuneration-Final
Action VIII BE Taken Tomorrow.
By the terms of an agreement which
has been entered into between the
Pendleton water commission and the
Northwestern Gas & Electric compa-
n.y. the city pumping plant is hence
forth to be operated by electricity.
The contract proposed is for 10 years,
and for pumping the water the elec-
trio company will be paid $4,000 the
first year and $500 annually for
each succeeding year.
Under the terms of the agreement
the company agrees to install a 75,
horse power motor and a pump which
shall be able to pump 1000 gallons of
water a minute. The same shall be
ready for use by June 1, 1906. When
the plant is installed and Is working
in accordance with the contract the
sum of $4,000 is to be paid the COM
remaining $4,000 for the first years
work will be paid.
1t is specified in the contract that
the city shall supply all the water to
be pumped, and that the company will
not be liable for failure to pump the
required amount should the supply
fall short. Also it is specified that
hn inn IN hn
in "a hours time shall not exceed L.
100000 gallons. The company is to
maintain the plant, but is excused
from liability arising from unavoida-
BILE accidents. or from accidents to the
power line. in any event.
Should the commission at any time
desire more than 100000 gallons Of
water pumped in "a hours the COM
pany shall receive extra pay for the
additional amount at the same rate
as for water under 100000 gallons
per day.
City Still Operates Plant.
The water commission must still
employ its own men to care for and
operate the pumping station, though
the company guarantees to keep the
plant in repair and retains the owner
ship of the motor and pump. A bond
of $4,000 is required from the compa-
ny to insure its faithful observance of
the contract.
Final Action Tomorrow.
Yesterday afternoon preliminary
agreement was drawn up and signed
by Messrs. Jones and Carter of the
water commission and Manager Vim
cent of the electric company. 1t Is
understood that the water commits
sion will meet tomorrow to ratify the
action and if such is done a formal
contract will be entered into.
Offer Refused Last Summer.
During last summer the proposition
of having the pumping plant run by
electricity was presented by the North
western Gas & Electric company
However at that time the company
desired the commission to furnish the
motor and pump and keep the same
in repair. Consequently the offer was
turned down at the instance OF
Messrs. Jones and Clopton Of the COM
mission. As Mr.. Ciopton Is now alb
sent in Arizona the business of the
commission is being attended to by
the other members. who are w. H
Jones, w. ]. Furnish, c. H. Carter and
| j. r. Dickson.
Electricity Seemingly Cheaper.
| BY the change from steam to elec-
tricity 1t Is probable that the expense
Of operation will be lessened about
$500 per year 1t ls thought the cos
of labor for eberat0h will be lessenet
somewhat though 1t will still be nee
essary for one man to be employed
the entire year and two during th'
summer season. Should the same mel
be retained the saving would be prin
cipally in the difference between th
$4,000 annual charge for electricit,
and what it costs a year for fuel t.
run the plant by steam. For the pas
year 7S1 cords of wood were used
which at the price of IS per cord
amounts to S3905. However, the aver
age cost of fuel per year for the pas
|, five years has been but S2S59, an
could this be maintained 1t would b
cheaper to run by steam than elec
tricity During the past year less WOO
was used than previously, but OWN
to the higher price the cost wa
greater.
Must Retain Present Machinery.
1t will be necessary for the CON
mission to retain its present pumpin
machinery so as to have facilities fo
securing water In cases of accident
that might occur to the electric lin
J for which no liability is assumed b
the company.
It Is specified that in case the watt
commission should at any time insta
a gravity water system the contra'
with the Northwestern Gas e Electr
I company may be cancelled withol
} prejudice.