Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1911-01-10
FOR BETTER SERVICE.
OREGON POWER COMPANY EX-
PENDS LARGE SUMS IN DALLAS.
Capacity of Plant Enlarged and
Many Improvements Will
Be Made.

A series of the most costly and eX
tensive improvements made by private
interests in the city of Dallas for {
long period of time, are now being
carried on quietly and unostentatious
ly by the Oregon Power Company a
their local electric light and power
plant. The work, which will cos
between $4,000 and 100000, wher
completed, has been in progress fol
some time, and will not be finished for
several weeks to come. The object
of this expenditure is to bring the
plant up to a modern state of COM
pleteness and perfection, and to rem
der it adequate to present needs and
allow for future expansion. Under the
management of former owners, the
property became run down and the
service began to deteriorate. Local
Manager ]. L. White realizes the i'm
portance of giving good service and
the present changes are made with
that end in view
1O WOhh n nv" Soiiio oAi NN-~
plant is in charge of P. H. Zipp, of
Portland, one of the Company's cleo
trical engineers, who is at the head of
construction crew numbering about
81 mechanics.
Among other additions made, there
will be a large 400-horsepower Corliss
engine of the latest type, and new
water-tube boilers of improved design.
With the new engine and boiler in
stalled, the combined capacity of the
steam power of the plant will equal
$50 horsepower. The two engines will
be connected by relay apparatus,
which will guarantee a continuity of
electric light and power service in case
of accident to either engine, or when
made necessary they can both be run
in conjunction. This will be great
advantage, not only to the Company,
but to it's patrons as well.
Fuel in Reserve.
The engine and boiler room have
been floored with concrete and extend
ed to accommodate the need of addi-
tional space, and the large fuel bin has
been enlarged, so that it will have an
increased storage capacity of rs per
cent. Sufficient fuel to run the boilers
for a period of two months can be
kept on hand, to provide against
possible shutdown of the source of
supply. New conveyor machinery will
carry the fuel direct from the sawmill
to the boilers.
An automatic regulator will be
part of the new equipment. Its pur-
pose is to keep the lights at a con-
stant pressure throughout the city,
avoiding the fitful and distressing in
terruptions which sometimes tax the
patience of electric light users. Many
other electrical appliances, large and
small, which modern engineering
practice requires, will be introduced
and made to add to the proficiency and
convenience of the station. Among
these will be a switchboard and
transformer.
The roofs of the buildings have
been covered with metallic shingles,
the first of this kind in the city, and
every precaution will be taken to
guard against fire and consequent in
terruption.
Rewriting the City.
While the remodeling of the plant
has been in progress, w. A. School,
superintendent here, has been actively
engaged in bettering the conditions of
the company's feed lines. In the
month of December the value of these
in Dallas alone amount
ed to $1,000, while an equal amount
has been spent in altering the lines in
Monmouth and Independence. The
feed wires originally used were unin-
sulated, and, of course, dangerous to
electric light and telephone linemen,
or to anyone else coming in contact
with them. To prevent possible acci-
dents of this nature, Superintendent
School is replacing the old wire with
heavily insulated copper wire. During
the last week of December 10000 feet
of new wire of this kind was strung
in Dallas, and more will be added as
fast as possible until the bare wire is
all removed.
An Independent water main of four
inch pipe will soon be laid from the
city main for use in the boilers, and to
supply the fire pump. should occasion
demand.
On completion of the work at the
plant, the place will receive a thor
onuh CLEANING nm and fba ovafIah hIa
ground will be seeded to lawn. The
skill of the landscape gardener will
be called into requisition, and the
premises will be made as attractive as
possible. Superintendent School will
also have a complete shower bath put
in for the use of the employees, and
they will then have an opportunity to
remove the sweat and CRIME of the
days toll.