Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1910-10-05
TOWN LIGHTS DISCUSSED
The Situation Investigated by the
Town Council

lOWu NOuuCll
The question as to whether or not
the Lexington Light & Power Com
pany have forfeited their franchise
for failure TO fulfill their contract in
the town, has been con-
sidered for some days by the Town
Council, at the request of the Retail
Merchants Business Association.
and by special Council committee |
composed Of Councilmen Corse, Key |
and Pole.
The latter held meeting last Fri |
day night in the Firemen's Hall, |
with Councilman Corse presiding,
when the matter was pretty gen
orally discussed. OF those present,
the following represented commit.
tee from the Merchants Association:
Messrs. r. l.. Graham, J +. Beaver.
5. NJ. Dunlap, E. Med. Moore and
DR.. +. w. McCluer
Among those who took part in the
discussion we're DR.. w. LeC-nte
Stevens, Col. Thomas A. Jones, MIR.
E. NJ. Pendleton, Prof. D. c. Hum
phreys, Mr.. r. f. Hutton and Mr.
W. S. Hopkins.
Professor Stevens read two letters
written to Mayor Walker and Ccun-
Gilman Corse, respectively, with ref
erence to his observations of the
electric lights, and he discussed at
length from scientific standpoint
the situation, drawing the conclu-
sion that Manager Hutton is doing
all he can TO furnish the very best
lights possible under the present
condition VI extremely low water.
Colonel Jones stated that he hac
exam ned the flow of North River
at the dam Of the Lexingt, Ligh
q Power Company's plant. anC
found that there is leakage of one
fourth the present flow of the river
Professor Humphreys spoke OF
, the part Of the company, he occupy
ing the position of vice-president
He admitted the lights furnished
: were not up to 10 candle power, bu
this was due to low water He CAV,
, a brief history OF the organization o
the company and the installation o
the plant, and showed that electri,
: light plants in small towns are no
paying investments, but that tn,
service furnished to Lexington wa
. good, barring the deficiencies arts
ing from low water.
Manager r. f. Hutton made a gen
eral statement of the situation. an,
, said that while the company faile,
n some particulars, as at pTesen
due to low water. to fulfill all tn
: conditions OF the franchise, stil
, more was given the town in some re
, spects than the franchise called for
He cited the fact that 1900 candl
8 power arc lights were called for an,
1000 candle power lights were fun
- nished on the streets, which repre-
> scented at least 81, 600 given the tow
by the difference. Lexington, sal
he, had the cheapest lights i
America, and many users of incaI
. descent lights on the flat rate wei
using more lights than they WEI
q paying for, which greatly reduce
, their average cost. He declare
:. that the daylight service, operate
, for the benefit of the town, was I'll
at loss; the service cost abo
$500 a day, while the reven
: amounted to about $1.00 day. NJ
7 Hutton further said that the co
y pany recognized that the lights
Il present were deficient, and II
-. remedial measures would be adopt
:, as soon as possible, either the
- stallation of additional engine or I
7 procuring of power from the Ro,
u bridge Power Co.
Mr.. w. S. Hopkins, as attorr
for the company. made a few
marks along legal lines.
of The investigation of the light 5
o.. uation was brought about by