The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-04-14
MUCH OPPOSED TO
SALE OF PLAN I
President ZeIIer of Board of
Works Stands by Light
Plant.
NEW EQUIPMENT NEEDED
FiE CONTENDS THAT THERE Is
EXCELLENT REASONS WHY
THE IMPROVEMENT SHOULD
&c MADE.

j. S. Zeller, president of the Board
of Public Works, is a staunch advo-
cate Of municipal ownership ana is
strongly opposed to selling the City
Light Plant, but he is convinced that
it will be necessary to expend between
$4,000 and $40, 900 in re-equipping the
plant.
According to Mr. Zeller the con-
slant wear and tear for the past four
years on the two units, which are de-
pended upon to supply lighting and
power at the Municipal Light Plant,
have placed them in such a bad con-
dition that their period of usefulness
will be of short duration unless an
other unit is added to the plant.
Mr.. Zeller states that on account of
their being only two engines at the
city plant, it has been impossible to
stop them long enough during the
past four years to make the necessa-
ry repairs. He says that it would
take at least week to give them
thorough overhauling, but at the pres
ent time this cannot be done as they
have to be kept going day and night.
| With anothr unit added to the plant,
| according to Mr.. Zeller, it could sup
ply the lighting and power to the con-
| sumers while the other units were be-
ing repaired.
His Opinion Differs.
| Mr.. Zeller differs in opinion from
City Attorney Gardner and Robert S.
| Ashe, who contend that the two units
now used at the plant are capable of
supplying the power now furnished
by the plant and the additional capac-
ity the plant will be called upon to
supply in the near future. Mr.. Eel
Ter contends that these units would
have to work overloads if called upon
to supply much more power than they
now furnish.
1T would be just the same as try
ing to work the new press at the Pal
ladium twice as fast as it is built to
run. The press might stand the
pressure for a time, and then, without
notice, break completely down. This
| is exactly what will happen at the
city plant if the two units are called
upon to supply more power than they
are capable Of
Mr.. Zeller states that the board will
urge council to call a special election
for the purpose of voting on the re-
equipment of the city plant and said
that it had been suggested that this
election be held in conjunction with
the one that will be held to consider
the sale of the, plant.
The president of the Board of Pub.
lie Works is of the opinion that it
would be the greatest folly to sell the
100000 to the city if it is worth a
cent
Estimates the Increase.
Mr.. Zeller estimates that from now
on the increase in business at the
city plant up to Christmas time will be
on an average of from one to two con
nections a day. He is also of the
opinion that r. S. Ashe, whose state
ments have been appearing in the
Palladium, has too much to say
Mr.. Ashe constructed the municipal
plant" said Mr.. Zeller, land his work
was far from being perfect The ce
ment work is botch and the furnaces
are no good. Instead of lining them
with fire clay, he lined them with
mortar. The poles are also not up tc
standard. Mr.. Ashe should have
waited the outcome of the committees
investigation as to the condition Of
the plant, before he rushed into print
as he is the man that is responsible
If the plant is found to be faulty In
construction.