The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1906-06-02
NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS AT WI
and LIGHT PLANT.
. WATER

AS is already known, about
three weeks ago, Mayor La
] nier, Aldermen Hartman and
Larsen and Superintendent Pur-
ser made a trip to Plaquemine,
La, to examine the new gas en-
gine plant at that place, with a
view to the advisabilitv of install
ing the same kind of machinery
for the BrooknaVen water and
light plant. The Leader learn
that they were we'll pleased with
the workings of the plant at
Plaquemine and they are expect
ed to make an official report at
the regular meeting of the Mayor
and Board of Aldermen on next
Thursday night.
This matter has come up be-
cause it is one that cannot be
much longer ignored, even if the
Board desired to play the ostrich
act and attempt to ignore it. The
present equipment of machinery
at the Brookhaven plant is now
worked to about the limit and by
another winter could not carry
the load that the public demands
will place upon it. The boilers
and engine will not supply the
needed power, and the dynamos
are growing antiquated and are
not of sufficient capacity. As to
water, the present equipment of
fire pumps is not sufficient to con-
troll extensive fires, and under
writers recommend increased fire.
fighting machinery in order to
maintain present rates.
Supt. Purser and others who
have studied the subject thorough
ly recommend the installation of
two duplicate power-generatlng
outfits, either of which would be
able to sustain the entire load.
Also the addition of one fire pump
of capacity equal to that of
present pumps.
1t is calculated that with the in
stallation of new machinery of the
type and size under consideration
the plant could take care of dou
BILE the present business and still
have safe margin lefta With du-
plicate machines of ample capae-
ity, there could always be one out
fit in reserve in case of accident,
thus insuring against complete
shut down and the consequent
trouble and inconvenience to the
entire public. Increased capacity
of the plant would also enable the
city to sell power and furnish
other electric household utilities
which, in addition to handling
the daily water supply more eco
nomically, would bring a good rev.
enue.
Aside from the impending ne
cessity for improving and increas-
ing the capacity of the present
plant, it is confidently claimed
that with the gas engine, outfit
proposed, there would be an an
nual saving in fuel bills of be-
tween $4,000 and $4,000 per year
on the present load. The COM
panies installing such machinery
guarantee results.
1t is estimated that the cost of
installing and putting in opera
tion of the new machinery would
be not exceeding $4,000,
which would be reduced So,
900 or $4,000 by salvage on old
machinery to be disposed of.
Mayor Lanier and other men,
bers of the Board are confident
that the city can finance the i'm
proyements without any serious
difficulty. Payments can be ar
ranged in installments il that is
deemed best.
1t is condition and not theory
by which the Board and the city
is confronted, and it must be dealt
with as sensible business men
would deal with any other plain
business proposition. The con-
stantly increasing city population
and demands made upon the
present insufficient machinery can
not be much longer. ignored, and
the growth Of the city, unless all
signs fail, will increase very
much more during the next -
months and the end still not be in
sight. If therefore behooves the
! City Fathers to act promptly.