Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1913-11-06
CITY SERVICE is VERY PRECARIOUS
ANY ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION DEPENDENT UPON One PLANT
ALWAYS In DANGER OF FORCED SHUTDOWN

than the customer using current
from the city plant.
Lightning often creates great havoc
with electrical service and in this par-
ticular thing our municipal plant has
been very lucky, one might almost
say phenomenally lucky, in having
escaped without being struck by
lightning up to this time. One good
jolt of lightning might wreck our
whole system.
All private owned corporations
have been brought to the realization
of one most important thing, and
that is continuous service, and where
not adequately protected by dupli-
cate waterpower plants have erected
at great cost steam plants, which
can be put into operation on short
notice and which enables them to
guarantee perfect service. One can
fully realize the Importance of unin-
terrupted service when we consider
that today electric companies are fur
nishing power for the operation of
mines where at deep depth in the
earth men are employed and the
spaces in which they work are being
kept dry by enormous electrical
pumps, so that breaking off of the
current for any length of time would
not only endanger many lives, but
cause great damage.
1t is no wonder, then, that those
Immediately in touch with the con-
dition of our municipal electric plant
have been very nervous, for they
fully realize the danger which threat
ems and the destruction which may
come at any time, whether by break
ing of the pipe or burning out of
the machinery or stroke of light
ming or fire.
The additional appropriation of
$4,000 for the construction of an
auxiliary plant to try and help the
city out of its present dilemma, along
the lines as spoken of by our city
electrical superintendent, seems wor-
thy of serious investigation, before
voted upon by the people. First, be-
cause it will interfere with the deliv-
cry of water for domestic purposes; ;
second, because it will not be ade-
quate; third, because it is unneces-
sary, as the fixing OF all rates by the
railroad commission excludes for the
future the fixing of any rates by pri-
vate corporations which will be un-
just.
Our city tax rate today is high,
and any additional unnecessary bur-
den should be avoided. The people
of Ashland are paying more today
for electric current than any other
city in the state of Oregon, and while
this statement may surprise those
who have neglected to analyze the
situation, nevertheless the fact re-
mains: We pay directly for the use
of the current, we pay for the inter-
est on the bonds, we pay or will have
to pay for the refund of the debt,
and although it was hoped at the be-
ginning that the revenue from our
city plant would take care of this
debt, we find after thorough test
that really our plant is running be-
hind, which will eventually make the
redemption of all electric plant bonds
burden on the taxpayer.
1t might be well for us to seriously
ponder over the situation, as it now
presents itself. Our city is fully pro-
tected IN any future dealings as to
rates by the railroad commission of
the state of Oregon, and 1t might be
well If such a thing could be brought
about for us to dispose of the city
plant If possible, before any calamity
happens to 1t, or before IL becomes
antequated and useless.
ASHLAND ELECTRIC POWER
& LIGHT COMPANY.
1t ADV.