The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-05-20
TO PUT IN new BOILERS.
Idgh. Commission Decides on This
Move.

An entire new steam plant for the
city electric light plaintiffs is the
decision of the board Of trustees.
The plans and specifications for the
will be completed and ready to SUBJ
NIT to the council for it's approval
within the next two or three weeks
In the rough the plans provide for
an entire new set of boilers, water
purifier, steel stack about 100 feet
high, with rearrangenent of some of
the pole lines. New lamps will be
purchased, but the character of the
lamps has not yet been decided upon.
Tests are to be made of a number of
which would be. the most economical
to the city in the long run The
preference seems to lie at present be-
tween the magnetic lamp, which is
the newest product of the General
Electric company and another lamp
of another company. The plant will
be built to allow a capacity of 500
lamps.
The entire cost of the improve
ments 1t is expected will not be in ex-
cess Of $4,000. The exact amount
will vary considerably depending upon
whether new generators are pur-
chased. The board of trustees has
not decided yet upon this phase of
the question. But in all events the
cost it is stated will not reach much
a figure rather below that amount
The building will not be altered
and the engine now in use is declared
to be ample to meet all the require
ments.
Though the boilers were tested by
first class condition and good for at
least five years more Of hard service,
it has been thought best by the
trustees to install new boilers. eff I
were running it as do my private
business" said Herbert Hackney, one
Of the trustees, II wouldn't buy any
boilers now. =
IT would wait until they were
absolutely needed but with the city it
Is different. If we should wait until
five years from now or even ten years
and then come to the people asking
them for some additional bonds to
buy new boilers they would throw up
their hands and say, Hey, I thought
you said there wouldn't be any but so
many bonds issued?' We have got to
build with an idea for the future.
looking ahead for years in advance.
In private business 1t is not advis-
able to purchase the most expensive
machinery for you may die and the
business go into liquidation. But with
the city it is different. there 1t is a
matter Of permanency.
cit Is rot, simply pure rot, for the
city not to own it's own water plant
its own electric light plant and its
own gas plant. I often wish that the
city might be able to find some
natural gas on some Of its own prop
erty, so that we might keep this
money here instead Of sending way
off east somewhere to line some rich
mans pockets.
IT only wish that the city would
lay aside each year for each lamp an
amount Of money equal to the lowest
price made by the Edison company.
To give us this money and then give
us a chance to show what we can do
with 1t. It gives us a chance to
make a better showing. chance
along with the board Of water works
trustees. than simply TO let US run
along. paying out 50 much money"
| 1--WE haven't decided on the number
of lamps we will put in right away
said r. l.. Cofran. another. one of the
| trustees. I'VE will put them In
wherever we think they are needed
| and where a demand exists for them
We may use the ninety enclosed
arc lamps which the city bought las,
but it will depend upon what system
| we adopt These lamps are mighty
| good. better by twice than the Edi-
son company's lamps on Kansas ave.
nue."