The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-10-31
One [ ]. \ YEARS DELAY
IN GETTING |: ! | ! D | LIGHT
But City Hopes to Make Broad
Street Glitter for Holiday
Shoppers.
{ BIG oBs1AC & COMES UP
Power & Lines ines Crossing Railroad
Wires May! Cripple Tele-
graph Service.

Although tho assurance was given
when the project was first nut under
way that the municfpal electric plant
would be in opera lion. during the past
spring. 1t Is admitted now ID nat II will
not be completed until next sprtng--a
year from the date Specified. Engineer
Trafford expects to have III III, perfect
wording shaljc by March 4 1011 81
Meanwhile, however, Mr.. 'Trafford is
operation 50 that Broad street Hs may may he te
supplied with Its ornamental lights
Various causes. some OF which were
unavoidable. have contributed to the
delay. Mr.. Traford has reported 10
NE Council Committee on Electricity
that certain contractors have been
negligent. though IN no case has any
contract been declared forfeited.
The Council Committee on Irinnnce
, Hoo recommended the appropriation Of
balance Of the fiscal year, but there
is doubt In the minds OF many Coun-
acilmon as to the economy of starting
the generntors.u until they can be given
place for the 5Broad Street lights, and nd
the holiday shopptng season will SOON
begin. j
Are serious Obstncics.
y serious element of delay in that
no agreement has as yet been reached
as to crossing tho right Of way Of The
Chesapeake and sObio Railway Com
pany The power-lloiise Is on James
5Rivsr. Just below HOLLYWOOD All OF
power, line to the New Pump House,
where water pumps, to be driven by
electricity. have been installed have to
cross the right Of way of the railroad
for the railway company fear that
should these high powered cables pa IS
over their lines, their telegraph and
telephone service might be interrupt
do By TIC the Sfe sas ana fal tf 81
n wire. They point to conditions in
Ginter Park along the Richmond and
Chesapeake Bay Line, whore the high
the surrounding ground to such ansex.
tent as greatlysto impair telephone
service in all that section. causing
many instruments to ring whenever
the cars pass. u should be an .ex.
a reinforced concrete conduit under the
canal and tracks, especially as such
work would have to be done without
stopping even for day the now OF
proposed the erection on either side of
the railroad property of steel towers.
properly insulated to prevent escape
of current. and the swinging of cable
lines from tower to tower, far above
the telegraph wires.
Old Contract Continues.
AS the general system of street
lights Will not be cut on until next
spring, the city will continue its con-
tract with the Virginia Railway and
Power Company at S54.75 per lamp
per year. Under the tentative plan
after the plant has been fully COM
pleted, tested and accepted. Engineer
order to demonstrate the accuracy Of
his estimate of the cost of street Light
Ing, he having assured the Council
that the proposed plant, besides fur
.nishing the power for water pumping,
and allowing for interest on invest
ment and depreciation of plant, could
light the city for $50 per light per
year. The comparative estimate, how
ever, did OF take into consideration the
fact that the Virginia Railway and
Power Company pays into the city
treasury annually in taxes in excess
be exempt from taxation.