The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-03-22
PLANT TO Be TAKEN over.
IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MADE AF-
TER APRIL OR MAY FIRST.
MIR. III. Il. Hartman Purchaser OF
Electric Plant i'm City--COmpany to
Change Its Name-Thc Mutual Ice
Company Also Bought Out.


chaser Of the Sumter Ice, Light and
Power company, has been in the city
for the last few days putting the
finishing touches to the deal made
some time ago, whereby he became
the owner Of the plant, and looking
over the plant with an eye to making
any needed changes whereby the city
will get better lights and the company
more profit out of the investment
Associated with Mr.. Hartman in the
purchase Of the company Is the firm
of Baker, Ayling & Company, of Bos-
ton, Mass, and Philadelphia, Pa. Ac.
companying Mr.. Hartman on the trip
to Sumter were Mr.. N NJ. Seabrease
of Baker, Ayling & Co., and Mr..
Joseph A. Slottery attorneys. who
came to look after the closing of all
legal matters in the transaction. Both
of these gentlemen have now return
ed to Philadelphia. leaving Mr.. Hart
man to go over the details of the
plant with an idea Of making all i'm
provements that will tend to make
the plant give better lights in the
city.
The management Of the company
will not be changed, except in one
case. Mr.. e. II. Moses will remain
general manager of the plant, but
Mr. F.. a. Bultman will not continue
as bookkeeper as he has other en-
ployment that will be more profitable
than the position offered him with the
new management The remaining
force Of employees will be retained
The name OF the company under the
new management will be the Sumter
Lighting Company. 1t will be con-
Quoted very much on the same plan
as formerly, several improvements be-
ing put in, however.
Among the improvements which
will be put in as soon as the new
management takes control will be an
automatic regulator. 1t will cost
something over $500 to put in this
regulator, but when installed it will
prevent the dimming Of the lights at
times as has been often the case in the
past. This ,nssening OF the light oc-
ours when the engineer leaves the
switchboard and additional lights are
thrown on during his absence. The
automatic regulator will cause a con-
slant proportional voltage and will
prevent the frequent hickering Of the
lights.
Another thing to be installed in the
way Of improvements Is a surface
condenser which will control the
pressure and keep it constant. The
whole plant will Immediately be made
fire proof SO as to prevent any dan
ger Of damage by fire.
The special light committee an
pointed by Council has been to see
Mr.. Hartman to confer with him with
the idea of receiving better lighting
FOR the city and at the least expense.
AS yet no plans have been arranged.
but 1t Is probable that the committee
and Mr.. Hartman will in the near
future complete a plan whereby the
city will secure better lighting service
than at present and at the same time
get lights as cheap, or almost as
cheap, as now. The management is
ready to do anything possible to have
the A. c. L. passenger station and
station yard better lighted than it Is
at present and has furnished informa-
tion for the Coast Line officials as 70
the cost and best methods of lighting
up the station yard. AS yet, however,
no steps have been decided upon by
the railroad company.
Another thing that has been done
by the Sumter Lighting Company in
the way of progress is an offer that
was made to the city towards adver-
tising 1t and creating interest and
comment concerning it, This offer
Is that the city erect some kind of
sign at any point in the city upon
which the city's motto may be ex-
hibited or the city's resources shown.
the sign to be brilliantly lighted by
the company free of cost to the citv.
Signs such as the one suggested here
have been erected in a great many
iiorishing cities in all parts Of the
United States and have done n great
deal in every case towards advertis-
ing the town.
Mr.. Hartman will be in the city
for some time going over the details
In the operation OF the plant and he
and Mr.. Moses will look into all plans