The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-06

gotten badly tangled at this point. for ne
states that twenty per cent. or 40 horse
power at tho cost OF eight cents per kilo-
watt hour amounts to the value indi-
Gated above, (f5,i3O) 1t does no such
thing. This price per klowatt hour would
mean a loss or over $4,000 per year, and
n plant operating cost Of over 100000 per
year, whereas the estimate of the pro-
fessor, with all it's errors, only gives s69,-
239 az the total operating cost. AS
matter OF fact, had ! made tho omission
imputed tn me, which / distinctly have
not, the only additional cost to which tho
city would have been subjected would be
a small sum for extra coal at the time
the water power failed. for the same num-
Der of men would have been employed in
the plant, the same generators would
have been operated. and we would simply
have used little more James river water
for power Since the entire charge IL
fictitious, 1t Is of no consequence that Mr..
Sever made an erroneous calculation OF
the amount / have simply cancelled his
charge.
Two hundred and fifty dollars is added
by Mr.. Sever for line maintenance. This
too. IL erroneous. Line maintenance Is
covered blythe amount named for opera
ton and maintenance OF the entire plant.
I therefore eliminate this charge also.
Mr.. Sever does not give the plant credit
for the electric current to be supplied
to tho public, amounting to 32,o45, and I
have corrected this deficiency.
Mr.. Sever acts unfairly in dealing with
the cost OF installation of the different
plants. 1t is well known that the cost
of all machinery and labor generally has
advanced since the facts contained IN
my report were collected, period ex-
tending over eighteen months. He pre-
pares new set of estimates for the
electric plant. but permits the old esti-
mn .aa
equippng the New pump-house 10 go un-
checked and uncorrccted for market
fluctuations. For this part of the work
I have used tho estimates prepared by
Mr.. c. 3. Boiling throughout with the
following results:
The hydraulic equipment buildings and
pumps. estimated at $4,000 will cost to-
day sl7g.67s The steam reserve. which
was to have cost $4,000. have advanced
10 per cent. making It now $4,000, or a
total cost OF s22e17S. as against tho old
| figure of sle5ooo. which Mr.. Sever uses.
| Incidentally I would remark that the
councils delay In acting on this propo-
sition has been quite expensive ! make
the correction in Professor Sewers
| figures covering the increased coat Of
| the equipment of the alternative scheme
| which he advocates.
COST OF ELECTRIC PLANT.
| There is very close agreement be.
| tween Mr.. Sewers estimate of the cost
| OF electric plant, and the appropriation
| which is now being asked for It's con-
| BtructioI.
Mr.. Sever thinks IL best TO add another
steam turbine and It's equipment to the
plant which I outlined. i did not think
| II necessary TO ask for this additional
| unit aa I provide for 300 kilowatts OF re-
| serve capacity at the electric plant at
| the New Reservoir plant, which could
be used for the purpose should an acci-
| dent disable one of the steam turbines
! during a low water period. IT would be
/ nice TO have n spare unit lying Idle 20
F, provide against the remote contingency
of an accident occurring. but 1t is NOT
really necessary IN my judgment. In view
! of the reserve at the new puInp-house
botn IN electric generators and steam
/ pump.
II this additional turbine IS omitted
from SIR Sewers estimate together with
its accessories, the deduction from his
| estimate would be s2l.43i.
| COMPARISON OF COSTS OF PLANT.
Mr.. Sewers estimate including adj
ditioral turbine. Sf1
Mr.. Sewers estimate without adj
ditional turbine................. 33l, 800
City of RICHMOND estimate
without extra turbine. $40 oO9
1t would seem that with two engineers
| WpFhlHs independently VI eacH o.heA
there Is a remarkably close agreement
COST OPP OPERATION.
i now proceed to give the cost of ope-
ration. using the depreciation charges
which Mr.. Sever has designated. and COR
recting those charges which I have shown
to be erroneous. both with and without,
an electric plant:
WITH ELECTRIC PLANT.
Interest per cent. on cost of
| plant as per Mr.. Sever, includ-
ing extra turbine .................$ l4. l52 u
Depreciation. as per his state
| ment ........................ u,124 q
Depreciation. additional to cover
error on motors, pumps and
line, per cent. In place of
per cent, on $2I. 000................. 1,oSo U
Operating and maintenance
charges q, iso "
Interest on pump house property 5000 o.
Total operating cost. s55, 0el q
Sinking fund to pay for plant. IA
per cent. on cost Of $685., Sl0....... b,2s2
Total. including sinking fund
by electric plant :Aethod, per
annum $eV.SdS