The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-20
Thomas Blewitt, Citizen, Taxpayer and Expert, Gives Electric Investiga- tion Committee Valuable Tips.
Alderman Bullard Regards Proposal of Lighting Com pany May Contain Joker
 Thinks Investigation Should Continue.


 Should Continue.
 Thomas Blewitt, a citizen and tax payer, appeared before the special committee named to investigate the United Illuminating Company, at the meeting of the committee in City Hall last night. MT. Blewitt is a man Of large experience in electric affairs. He opposed the acceptance of the offer of the United Illuminating Company up- on the ground that the price was much too high and he favored a continuance of the investigation.
 Mir. Blewitt informed the committee that it is probable, if a charter could be assured to the company with which 1le is connected, that they will offer to furnish arc lights at $40 per year of like type and power to the magnitite lights.
 The attitude of the committee was at first a little hostile to MT. Blewitt, but after it appeared that he was thoroughly informed and desired to assist the committee to information it might not otherwise attain, the atmos- phere cleared a little.
 Mr Blewitt's questions brought out the fact that the committee has not gone to any extent into the cost Of manufacturing electricity at the plant of the United Illuminating Company. and has very little knowledge of the company's producing costs. except for the figures furnished in the statement by President James English, which are not regarded as of high author ity.
 MT. Blewitt also said that the deter lnination of costs would be a compara- lively simple matter, if two competent men should enter the company's plant and remain there a sufficient time, and if the company's own books and reports were consulted.
 Chairman David S. Day appeared to be the only member of the committee who believed that the proposal of the company to furnish magnitite lights city.
 Lynn w. Wilson who was before the committee for the purpose of introduc- ing MT. Blewitt, was asked by Chair man Day whether he favored a contin- nance of the investigation at cost to the taxpayers or whether he favor ed the acceptance of the company's proposal.
 MT. Wilson replied: s.The committee was instructed by the council to inyes- tigate the cost of producing electricity This it has attempted to do. to the ex- tent that 1t has received from MT. James English a statement that cer- tainly needs explanation believe that the investigation should be pub licly continued. That the books and papers of the company should be brought in, and it's coal consumption, wattmeter records and labor costs as- 4certained. Then and not until then the city will be in a position to make an intelligent bargain
 MT. Wilson said that no conclusions not arrived at by public and full in vestigation will be acceptable to the eople, or command for the committee the confidence of the public.
 Alderman Bullard made remarks which tended to convey the impression that at least a. portion of the commit tee believe that the investigation has already produced facts upon which the city may be warranted in bringing suit for the recovery of a portion of the money it has paid under; it's lighting contract.
 It was brought out that the commit tee has not done any Investigating at the plant of the company. Chairman < Day presented the proposition from the United Illuminating Co. as signed by Judge A. B. Beers, counsel for the company to reduce the lighting cost ss per lamp. The other members of the committee were dubious about en- dorsing it and did not endorse it.. They were of the opinion that the ubiquitous black man was lurking somewheFe in woodpile. Alderman Bullard and Elmer S. Ravens of the committee declared that the investiga- tion should go on. Alderman Bullard said there had been a change in the , attitude of the electric light company which had appeared at the initial hear ing Of the committee with the state ment that the cost of electricity was such that the company was making about $370 year on all its street lighting, land now" he said, 'the company comes in here and offers to furnish lights at $4,0O0 a year cheaper during the remainder of the time the contract has to run. If we continue to investigate and bring the books of : to prove that this company is making an abnormal profit. .'
 Alderman Buliard settled all doubt ss to the identity of MT. Blewitt when concerns by which he is employed MT. Blewitt named a half dozen con- cerns which were recognized by En- gineer Winchester of the South Nor walk municipal lighting plant, M-.' Havens and MT. Bullard as being the best known in their line in the coun- try.
 Alderman Bullard is an engineer himself and after he had conversed ' with MT. Blewitt for afew minutes he | was satisfied that Blewitt knew what P he was talking about. Blewitt explain z ed that his duties were to test out newly erected electric power plants and determine the cost of production. efJd was HIS DuSlneSS to eStlmaIe the cost of electricity and very often the srpaynent of the cost of the construction of big plants depended on his reports. He told the committee that he had tried out all kinds of plants in every section of the country, Mexico and Canada. He said that the cost of elec- ,tricity had been reduced by one-half in the last 10 and 15 years. Asked what he thought the city should pay for arc lamps in Bridgeport he replied, sforty dollars
 Asked if any of his companies would support him in making such a propo- sition MT. Blewett said he wanted it distinctly understood that his appear ance before the committee was as citizen and taxpayer, but he was con- fident that he would be supported in any proposition that he might make
 Chairman Day wanted to know if he would submit the proposition in writ ing. MT. Blewett said that he could do so in about two weeks but he did not know what he could do if he could