The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-01
ELECTRIC PLANT
IS OvERLO AID Ed.
Cheap Politics in Distribution Of
Lights Is Charged
Openly.
DEFENDS WATER COMMITTEE
Mills Reads Contract Which
Guarantees Reserve Power for
Pumps at All Hours.

tii'S dt an IlClil D.
Differences OF opinion in regard to
the management of the municipal cleo
tric plant were discussed by the Coun
ell Committee on Water last night,
and tho ordinance creating the Office
of superintendent, and providing how
the plant shall be operated. was re-
ferred to a subcommittee. consisting
of Messrs. Gunst, IIobson and Gill.
Members of the subcommittee thought
that the points involved would require
study, but Chairman Mills stated that
SINCE members of the Electricity Com
mittcc had seen mt to attack the Water
Committee, question its motives, and
charge that il was planning 10 delay
the adoption of the ordinance, II was
most important that there be :. prompt
rctort. The subcommittee agreed IL
possible to report to special meeting
of tho Water Committee on Monday
night at o'clock. which In return
Will make report to the Council the
same night.
Has Not Lived Up to Cnntrnct.
Chairman Mills stated that when tho
bonds were Issued for erection of the
electric plant IT was provided that APP
proNimately two-thirds of the current
generated was for the Water Depart
ncnt and one third for street light
ms. y definite contract was entered
into at that time In CONSIDERABLE of
turning over the site and water power
rights of the Old Pump House. by
which the electric plant agreed to
furnish the Water Department at all
hours power sufficient to pump 1900
900 gallons daily into the reservoir.
The Water Department has never
utilized that amount of current in any
one day since the electric plant opened.
Chairman Mills said he was Informed
that the electric plant was already
carrying an overload OF from % to
80 l-3 per cent: that the Electricity
Committee had gone on installing lights
for political reasons in all parts OF
the city, regardless of tho needs, until
practically the whole output was being
used for ornamental and are light
Ing, and, as n matter OF fact. unless
the auxiliary steam generators are
used. at a large cost for coal consump-
ton, the plant Is not now In a position
to furnish the Water Department tho
power 1t was under contract to supply.
Cost Is Excessive.
Chairman Mills said he had never
seen tho necessity for creating the
tile position OF Superintendent OF the
Electric Plant, considering IL use
less expense and "a source OF additional
red tape, as the power house and gem
orators should be under the Water
pepartm ant, and tho street lighting
under the Light Committee He pro-
tested against that clause of tho pend
Ing ordinance which provides that the
electric plant shall charge the Water
Dcpartm ant for current used ''at cost"
saving that there was no way OF tell
Ing what the cost will be
AS they are going on with their
lighting schemes and politics." he said,
tho cost may be cents per kilowatt
hour. W. have no assurance what Il
Will be. The Virginia Railway and
Power Company is furnishing the city
of Petersburg with current for water
pumping at cent. and will supply 1t
here rs cheaply, or possibly cheaper,
mctered where we usa 1t, while this
ordinance provides for a meter at the
electric plant. making us pay for the
waste in transmission. | don't see why
We should be made TO carry thu bur
den OF that venture.
BANKER of Water Fnminc.
The electric plant was erected and
the city saddlcd with Il debt for its
cost in order TO provide a duplicate
pumping plant. We were reaching the
maximum daily capacity of the old
water pumps. and 1t was feared that
ii they broke down. a water famine
light result. Whatever is done with
tho electric plant. whatever politics IS
played. and whatever streets are decor
atcd ii IS essential that 1t be ready
at all times--at n moments notice
night or day to furnish us the kpower
it is under contract TO supply. The
emergency reserve force must not be
diverted to supply anybody's political
ambitions. and SO leave the city in
the same danger as heretofore OF
water famine in time of fire"
Mr.. Scaton, of the Electricity Com
mittec, who charged that coal was be-
ing burned at the electric plant to gem
crate current, at great cost. when the
water power pumps were standing
idle, was invited to attend a meet
ing of the subcommittee next Monday
afternoon at 3 o'clock when the whole
matter Will be threshcd out. Some
members desired to defer action until
the return of Consulting Engineer
Trafford. VINO is now under treatment
il Johns Hopkins Hospital. Baltimore:
but in view Of the criticisms which
have been directed against it, the
committee decided it to make a re-
port to the Council on Monday night
If possible.