The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-02-16
The Little City Is the First
Small Town in Indiana to
Embark Into the Electric
Lighting Business.
RESIDENTS ARE DIVIDED
ON MERITS OF PLANT.
Some Think That the Town
Council Made a Mistake in
Constructing 1t But This
View Is Not Held To by All.

Hagerstown Ind. Feb. 15.-There
are many residents Of Hagerstown
who still think that the action of the
| corporation in voting to install an ell
ectric light plant was unwise and
claim that there will not be enough
patrons of the plant to make it self
sustaining.
On the other hand there are those
who are equally confident that the
plant will not only be self sustaining,
but will bring in a small income be-
sides 1t is also asserted that If the
plant proves TO be self supporting and
nothing more, the community will be
the gamer by having a we'll lighted
town.
Many towns throughout the country
are watching with interest the out
come of the Hagerstown experiment
in municipal ownership, as this is one
of the first towns of this size in the
country TO attempt the installation OF
such plant.
Although the construction of this
plant will necessitate a slight advance
in taxes it is thought that the advan-
tage in having a well lighted town
and reasonably cheap electric light
ing and power will offset the increase
in taxes. Many contend that the state
law is weak in this one respect, that
many voters who do not own proper
ty or do not even pay poll tax are al
lowed TO cast vote in a municipal
election to determine the establish
ment of municipal plants. However
had the law been changed to allow
only property owners to have had a
voice i'll the Hagerstown election, it |
is more than probable that the prop
erty owners would have voted in fav-
or of municipal plant
The plant, the foundation of which
was begun the first of January, is fast
nearing completion. The building
proper has been constructed and the |
engines and other machinery are
about all in place No outside work
has been done yet owing to the nom /
arrival of poles and other equipment, !
but it is the intention of those having
the work in hand to push the outside
work as rapidly as possible when the /
necessary material arrives.
The municipal plant building is
small and plain in appearance, but at
the same time large enough to meet
all demands and is built on good pro-
portions. It's exterior dimensions are
forty by fifty feet and twelve feet
high to the caves.
The foundation is of concrete sur
mounted by cement blocks. The walls
are of brick. The roof is built hip"
shape and is of slate. The floors are
of cement. The building will add
much to the beauty of that part of the
town where it is located as it is the
intention of the city fathers to grade
the grounds surrounding and other
wise beautify them.
The location for the light plant is
all that could be desired, it being Just
one square north of Main street and
in about the center of the town
1t is thought that the plant will be
ready for operation April 1. No one
has yet been engaged to take the man
agement OF the plant, but that such
man will not be hard to secure is
evidenced by the numerous applica
lions that are now on file in the clerks
office
The town board has adopted the
plan Of receiving competitive bids on
all constructive supplies in order to
secure them at the lowest possible
figures but at the same time the
board is not sacrificing quality for the
sake of price.
A number of persons who intended
to use electricity for lighting purposes
are having their residences and bust
ness houses wired. in order to be
ready when the plant begins opera
ton.
The town board has taken a pre-
cauionary action in requiring all wiz
Ing to be thoroughly inspected before
allowing the current to be turned into
any building in order to protect prop
erty from fire