The Newark star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1909, 1909-10-28
EXPERTS SUGGEST
BIG REDUCTIONS
IN LIGHTING COST
Engineers Find Present Expense
Of Operating the City Hall
rant Excessive.
DOUBLE SHIFT OF MEN AND
LOWER SALARIES URGED
Whitfield Committee Emb0dies
Recommendations in Its
Report.

At tonight's meeting of the committee
sn municipal lighting of the Common
Council, Chairman Charles L. Whitfield
will submit his report on the cost Of
operating the electric lighting plant in
the City Hall.
The report embodies the findings of
Duncan & Lyndon, electrical engineers,
in which it is declared that the present
cost OF operating the City Hall plant is
excessive. 1t concludes with a recon-
mendation for sweeping reductions in
the expenses, and changes which will
result in economy.
Duncan & Lyndon recommended:
1. That the plant be operated eigh-
teen hours, with two shifts of men, each
working nine hours per day; and that
either storage batteries be installed to
carry the lights from IL midnight to 6
a. m, or that current be purchased dur
ing these hours.
g. That the labor should be reduced
to: Two stokers, at 81 900 per year; one
engineer and superintendent, at $1,000
per year; one engineer at $500 per year.
With storage battery installed at an
estimated cost of s3,S00 to carry the
lights from II midnight to a. m. the
experts estimate that the cost of cur
rent would be reduced to 2.43 cents per
kilowatt hour.
With electrical current purchased at
cents per kilowatt hour to supply
light from IL midnight to 8 a. IN. the
cost per killowatt hour would be re-
duced to 2.75 cents.
The present payroll of the steam and
electric plant is as follows: One elec-
trio engineer at s1.s0O per year, three
engin len at $1,000 per year. three
stokers at $1,000 per year. one oiler and
wiper at 5000 per year; total labor cost,
eight men, at $1,000 per year.
Commenting on this the report will
say: 1.-THE experts declare this cost is
excessive. CAREFUL inquiry among
manufacturers employing a similar
force convinces your committee that
this criticism is sound and that the
labor cost and scale of wages suggest
ed by the experts are ample.
Prior to the completion of the elec-
trio light plant the engine-room force
consisted of seven men and the gross
yearly payroll was S,400. This force
has always been larger than was need
ed, and the wages paid have always
been higher than for similar positions
elsewhere. AS soon as the electric light
plant was put into commission an ad-
ditional man, an oiler, at a salary OF
$780, was added to the staff.
1.-THE electric engineers report that II
storage batteries be installed at cost
of So, 800, the plant shut down from l.
midnight to a. m. each day and the
labor cost reduced to two shifts of men
at Salaries totaling s4,100, the cost per
year of operating the plant, counting
interest and depreciation, would be
$6,754, with a production of 27S.oo0 kilo-
watt hours of current
After submitting other figures te
show the present cost of operation II
excessive, the Whitfield report con-
cludes with these recommendations:
First-That storage battery system
be installed at cost of $4,000.
Second-That the plant be shut dowr
from 12 midnight until 6 a. m. eacf
day, and the current from the storage
battery be used during these hours.
Third--That the engine and boiler
room staff be reduced to two shifts oi
men each working nine hours per day
consisting in all of one engineman anc
superintendent at $1,000 per annum
two first-class stolsers at $1,000 per an
nun; one engineman at $500 per an
mum.
Fourth--That careful and systematic
records be kept of coal consumption
supplies used, electrical current pro
duced, efficiency OF plant and sucf
other date as may be necessary to fur
nish daily complete record of the
plant and its operation.
Fifth--That rules for the government
Of the engine-room force be formulated
for the purpose of defining duties, in
suring efficiency and fixing respon'
sibility, to the end that discipline may
be preserved and dereliction or incom'
potency be followed by prompt dis
missaI