The Marietta journal and courier. (Marietta, Ga.) 1909-1918, 1913-07-25
MUNICIPAL AND COR
PORATE GAS PLANTS

Information that is of interest to
the people of Marietta is contained
in the article below, inasmuch as
the question of gas has been agitated
for some time past
It was furnished the Journal by
MIR c. H. Page, who recently pur-
chased the water and light business
of the Kennesaw Paper Company
with view of installing a gas
plant
The construction OF a pant to sup
ply gas in Marietta will prove OF in
estimable value to the residents
Any forward movement of this kind
properly managed and above all
things, handled with due regard to
the requirements of the people is
bound to stimulate improvements;
once under way people will wonder
how they got along without it. Paw
ed streets and sidewalks will follow
One of the draw backs to such a
plant being owned BY the city is
the inability of the city to provide
the funds 10 meet the growing de-
mand Of the people for the extern
sion of the distribution and gener-
ating system
The initial cost Of a complete
plant almost never provides for the
continual demand for mains, seryic-
es and meters. to reach those who
were not supplied at first as well
as to keep apace with the growth of
the city
For this purpose it is invariably
necessary in the case of a plant own
ed by the municipality to raise the
funds by bond issue to do which
special election must be held
Another serious drawback is the
matter of keeping records and ac-
counts. The object of the city con-
troll is obviously to sell it's product,
whether gas or electricity at prac-
tically cost
The city of Bellfontain, Ohio, in
1898 was operating a gas plant on
this basis. BY actual test extend
ing over period of As hours it was
demonstrated to the trustees of the
undertaking that the gas was cost
ing 95 cents while it was being sold
for $l.00 for light and 80 cents per
thousand cubic feet for fuel. 1t is
needless to say what the outcome
was.
The city of Marshall Mich. in
stalled an electric light plant to
light the city and incidentally to cut
into the Gas Co.'S, a private corpo-
ration, commercial and domestic
lighting. Arc lights and incandes-
cents were supplied at less than cost
but they did not know it, so when
it became necessary to install new
generating apparatus the money was
not available
In the mean time, the gas compa-
ny played waiting game, prices
were maintained and ultimately, the
city disposed of its plant to the gas
Co Philadelphia, Pa, being unable
to keep up with the growth of the
city in 1897 leased it's plant to a
local operating Co. for so years.
The use of gas for cooking pur-
poses has proved it's value from an
economical and labor saving stand
point. A match and turn of the
wrist produces the hottest fire i'm
mediately. With the automatic in
Simultaneous water heater merely op-
ening the hot water faucet turns on
the gas to the heater which is ig-
nited by a small pilot flame which
is always lighted. No delay. not
even match is required.
If the gas business was undertake
en- by the city, consumers would
have to make their individual ar
rangements for ranges, water heat
ers and other appliances at high
price, while on the other hand, the
company would supply all such di-
vices at net cost connected ready to
uSe