The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-07-27
ocALA,s PROBLEM IN ELECTRICITY

oCALA's PROBLEM IN ELECTRICITY
The city is confronted with a prob
lem in electric lighting and power.
The city plant is now supplying about
all of the current 1t can supply without
the addition of more and expensive
machinery. The demand for current is
Increasing all the time and there are
now in course of construction in Ocala
buildings enough to take every kiio-
watt that the plant can supply in the
evening. though there is still mar
gin for day current The careful re-
port OF the auditing company recently
shows that the plant produces current
at cents per kilowatt hour The
city sells current for lighting pur-
poses at 10 cents and current for power
for cents per kilowatt hour. This is
a fine margin of profit and is what has
enabled the plant to contribute so
much each year to the general ex-
penses of the city. Many consumers,
however. are kicking on the rate, and
say the city has no right to charge its
people such a high rate for current.
especially the large consumers
Now comes the Florida Power Com
pany Of the Withlacoochee river, by
its president, Mr.. r. c. Camp and offers
to supply the city with power, deliv-
cred at Oeala for 3 " cents per kilo-
watt hour for a certain amount and
above that amount 2k cents per killo-
watt hour for all current used in the
month. and we believe the city would
always use the maximum amount OF
current and therefore get the 21a-
cent rate.
The company will build and main
tain a sub-station in Ocala for the dis
tribution of the current. If the city
will take the current at the company
plant west of Dunnellon and build its
own line to Oca1a, the Florida Power
Company will deliver the current to 1t
at the fat rate of cents per kilowatt
hour OF course, If the city made a
contract with the Florida Power Com
pany the plant here would be closed
down, but the wires would be used
There would be the expense Of deteri-
grafton and insurance and two men
could, we are informed, transact the
entire business of the plant. The Flo
rida Power Company, in case of a
breakdown in it's plant. or stoppage OF
current, would have to operate the
city's plant temporarily at it's own ex-
pense.
The item Of fuel is large one in the
operation of a plant of this kind and
1t cannot compete with water power
Wood is becoming scarcer and higher
as 1t has to be hauled from a greater
distance. and it is only a matter Of
time till the city will be compelled tt
burn coal and the fuel bills will there
fore increase perceptibly.
The city is going to be compelled b.
competition or popular demand to re
duce the price Of current sooner o.
later. AS stated before the price be
tween the cost of production and tn
price received is too great. COnsum
ers Of current in Ocala will not Away
submit to paying the. taxes of the city
The manager of the Star is a heav.
user Of current-not one of the heav
lest, but above the average; he is ais
a taxpayer and a member of the cit
council. and is trying to see into thes
problems and do the best for the gen
eral interest of the city and her PEG
pie. We offer this article for the con
sideration of public that is entitle
to know these things.
1t would look to man trying to Sc
into the future that in consideration c
the fact that large sums of money wi
have to soon be spent on the electri
lighting plant; that the cost of opera
ton is sure to increase and that til
items Of deterioration and interest o
additional investment will be quit
large, that it might be wise to make
contract with the Florida Power Con
pany and close down the city's plan
OF course We would have the dead cay
ital of the plant on hand. the deter
grafton. ETC., but a man in business fl
himself would discard, throw away
sell a piece of machinery that was oil
solete and a losing investment when
modern machine, though costing
goodly sum to install, would save hi
money in the future in the conduct
his business.
The phosphate plants in the vicini
Of the Florida Power Companys plan
though possessing expensive steam o.
Grated machinery, much of it model
and new, have discarded it for Il
cheaper power supplied by the Flori,
Power Company.
In small way the Star and Bann
did the same thing when the city p
on day current at the plant. 30
Offices possessed new and adequa
SaSOIene engines out Immediately
stalled a number of individual electl
motors and in the Stars case the ne
gasolene engine, costing nearly s5t
stood on it's base for three years u
used and was then sold for a SIN:
price.
The Star wants the taxpayers
think over the matter and as Mr.. Car
will be present and address the ci
council at it's next meeting, Tuesd
night, we would like any of the bu
ness men who are interested to
present and express their views in t
matter. The columns of the paper q
also open for discussion of this subj,
from both standpoints.
The Florida Power Company wants
vote on its proposition from the cou
Gil, either accepting or rejecting it,
the proposition will not be held op
indefinitely. Would it not be wise
have an expert electrician go careful
over the matter and give an opinion
the advantages or disadvantages
the two plans.
ISLAND GROVE PEOPLE