Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-03-20

wise ana III keeps uoNn lnS Oii9 anu
taxes.
9Th. The lamp on my corner last
night was dull red glow--no light
| When the current is turned OH a
few moments are required for one
carbon TO form crater and the other
cone before the lamp reaches maxi
mum light. In double carbon lamps
this occurs again when one carbon
has been consumed and the lamp is
automatically switching the current
TO the other pair. Occasionally the
wind or other agent may cause con-
tact between the ends of the carbons
so that when the current IS switched
on. having no gap to leap, no arc Is.
formed and hence no light except
dull red point.
Sometimes a quick jerk on the lamp
rope may cause the lamp to pick
up" its arc and it lights up. Some
times no amount OF coaxing is et-
iectual and when lamp fails 10 re-
spond 10 such homeopathic treat
ment it is replaced by reserve. The
present city night-watch keeps close
tab on the lamps and is prompt and
courteous in his reports TO the light
ing station
Electric lamps operated undcr PR
vatc ownership, like hydrants, water
meters and city clocks under muni-
cipal ownership, sometimes get
cranky, and go ON strike, but those
in charge are cndearoring To reduce
! Interruptions in service to minimum
The system has never been devised
in which they do not occur, although
one might think differently after lis
tenng TO a talk on the advantages OF
municipal ownership from man with
apparatus to sell. Whatever the sys-
tenn or lamp, occasional interruptions
are inevitable and it is unreasonable
TO expect immunity from them. We
lie awake nights and work daytime
TO make them less, and with some
success, but the perfect lamp like the
perfect man has not arrived; they
still reside i'll New Utopia.
9th. The open arc lamp Is not up
TO date" What difference whether
the date on the lamp is 90 or 90 so
long as it produces a stronger light
for less money TO the consumer
, Many so-called up-to-date lamps are
4 ho
have three different makes OF modern
, arc lamps at our plant which nave
been tested by use and discarded
while the tried and approved appli-
auces continue TO do business at the
old stand. However, if there is Official
preference for an enclosed arc lamp
we would be governed accordingly
. and substitute them as the open arr
lamps become crippled.
, 9TH. why don't you give us al
night service?" This will happer
2 when the city authorities press th'
> button. We will do the rest. 1t ha
y been done on occasion and is Away
. on tap. 1t would probably serve
4 reasonable number il the regular ser
. vice were extended TO one o'clock a
r m. but would the tax payers general.
2 enjoy the additional expense entaile'
g by an all night service TO light TIL
/ homeward way of possible half doz
# Ell Owls out after one o'clock?
Permit us to correct false impres
II sion in the minds OF some citizens Il
y regard to charges for lamps not burn
e ing. Our contract with the city es
5 pecially provides that no charge shall
: be made for such deinquents. In 9th
d er words a deduction OF FIVE 60 cent
e per hour is made for each lamp no
e burning. The city pays on a light
IT hour basis, not so much per lamp. N
e light. no pay. There have been time
y when more intelligent attention t
e lamps would have resulted III bette
'e service but employers OF labor do no
e always get what they pay for w
have changed supcrintendents thre
; times in the past six months. and be
1t licve that in Mr.. James Connell, tn
p present incumbent, we have a ma
'e who will meet every reasonable re
d quirement.
nj Water.
m More water was used during Ioc
ty than in any previous year. This
~ due to the growth OF the city ans tli
iy more general installation OF wat'
OF connections. You will recall that OF
ne contract calls for delivery of wat'
to your mains under given pressui
OF and there our responsibility end
u The plant is always open to inspe
We ton and the pressure regulated an
'u determined by city authority; ther
VI fore, too much or too little pressu
UP in different parts of the city are que
60 tons for your water commissionc
We Extra pressure and water in the eve