The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1907-05-10
METERS
To the Consumers of Electric
Current in the City of Ely.
Communicated

In the past two months or since
the city started to put the consumer
on a meter basis, there has been SO
much talk and comment on the sub
ject by people that do not understand
why the City should do this that an
explanation seems necessary, and
while explaining we will go little
farther and bring to light few other
points that will be benefit to the
consumer.
I understand that the report has
been circulated that the City Electric
ian adjusts the meters to suit himself
before they leave the shop and the
meter placed on certain consumers is
adjusted to run fast, while-the rest Of
them are adjusted tosrun slow; this is
false and the person or persons that
started that report used it as a means
of gaining their end in the last NUM-
cipal election and also to gain a point
with some OF the newly elected alder
men; these meters are all new, direct
from the Westinghouse shops and are
sealed when we get them. these seals
are not broken and the city is under
contract with the Westinghouse peo-
Pile to that effect, otherwise they will
not be responsible for the meter; after
they are unlocked here we place them
on testing board for celebrating and
if we find any that are not correct
they are reboxed to be sent back to
the Westinghouse people for correct
ion.
1t has also been stated that some of
| the meters installed failed to run at
all; out of $50 meters tested and in
stalled there was but one that failed
to start and the only way we can &C
count for this is it might have been
dropped or Jared while installing.
The question is asked why the city
should install meters, it was necessary
to install meters or buy and install
more machinery within another year,
this meant an expenditure of $4,000
or $40, 900; while to meter the city
would cost less than $1,000 and at the
same time cut our load in two and in
consequence our fuel consumption
down one half.
1t is reported by those nos in favor
of the meter that influenced the
council to install them. l did and am
willing to admit that / advised the
meter system for I know by exper-
fence that it is the only way the city
can sell electric current and run at a
profit instead of a loss, otherwise it
would be forced to raise the present
fiat rate. In filling this position /
try to look after the operation of the
plant and the entire system with as
much interest as though I were per-
sonally interested in it instead Of
working for salary and do not hes
litate to advise. when I know it is
something to improve or benefit the
system.
Now word to the consumer. In
buying lamps, be sure and get the
right voltage. 104 volts is the current
we carry on secondary or house wire
and you should buy lamp to cores
pond with that voltage If you want
good light. When you buy lamp, get
the wattage as well as the voltage
correct. You will find this very i'm
lportant when on meter. A 16 candle
power lamp should consume Sc watts
or 81 watts per candle power per hour
If you are using watt lamp instead
of a 81 you are using more watts pei
hour and If you are using Al watt
lamp you are consuming1e more watts