The Detroit times., 1913-03-21
KNIFE IS USED
SPARINCLY ON
LIGHTING FUNDS
Council Committee Trims OF
Only $93,S92, Larger Items
Being Supplementals
COMMITTEE PLANS TO
BUY HUGE TURBINE
Will Cost $119,500 and Increase
the Capacity of Plant
by One Third

An appropriation OF $l19,600 for a
giant 5.000unit turbine, which will in
crease the capacity OF the public light
plant fully one-third, was allowed
by the council committee on public
lighting, Thursday night.
Supt. Frank L. Mistersky explained
to the aldermen that the two 1000
unit turbines. with which the plant Is
now equipped, are operating at full
load, and that In case OF breakdown
at least 1000 lights in the city would
be shut off. causing grave dancer.
With the new turbine. which will prob
ably take several months to install
after the appropriation is finally al
lowed by the common council ana
the board OF estimates, there will be
one turbine in reserve in the plant
for emergency purposes.
The aldermen also allowed an item
OF $4,000 for the purchase OF the
Campau property adjoining the light
ing plant, the money to be raised by
bond issue MIstersky said that with
the addition OF the Campau property
the present plant can be extended SO
that 1t will not be necessary to build
a new station for at least 80 years.
The lighting commission has not as
yet entered into negotiations with the
Campau estate, and unless reason
able price is asked, the city will pro-
coed to condemn the property.
From the budget, which totaled
$S6S, 017.17, including $1S3.19797 In
IL p,it fna .
1925. IN addition to making a BOND
issue of''an $4,000 item, leaving 1924
1882 to be spread upon the tax rolls
The members OF the committee
were unanimous IN declaring for q
better lighted city.
Detroit is not well-llghted city,
said Aid. John Lodge II am in favor
OF allowing every possible Item for
more lights. It is shame that our
city Is not the best lighted when We
remember that we are the pioneers
in the operation OF municipal light-
ing plant. For 10 years the council
and board OF estimates have done TOO
much cutting on the public lighting
budget"
The committee passed favorably
on an appropriation OF $l06,4l9.50 for
the installation OF SIS overhead arc
lamps. Supt Mistersky explained
that as many lights were installed the
wear before, and yet the demand for
more had not begun to be satisfied.
He said the 500 lamps could be USED
in the Seventeenth ward alone. Inc
committee also approved OF items TOT
the better lighting OF Woodward-aVe''
Capitol-sq.. East Grand-blvd., North
Grand blvd. Fort-st., Michlgan-aVe'
and Grand River-ave. For the lighting
OF public buildings on the new Terry
field, $21,132 was allowed. An orlia-
mental lighting system TO cost s3'Voo'
will be installed on the Belle Isle
bridge, IL the appropriation is hnaiiy
allowed An estimate OF $l,72O Tor
lighting the dark spots In Palmer
park was allowed by the committee
after Supt. Mstersky told the alder
men that hoodums infested the city
mark at night, making 1t unsafe Tor
women and children to be there after
dark.
SIX hundred and fifty dollars was
allowed by the committee for the IL
Elimination OF the George Beck mem
The following items were entirely
eliminated by the committee: For
the installation OF 20 arc lamps IN
eJefYerson.ave. from Woodward-ave 10
boulevard. $94;4e9:: automobile truck
for line work. $4,000: extension OF
"cluster lights" on Michigan-ave. 70
Martin-ave. supplementary, S32,boV'
TO place underground all city-owneo
wires in Jefterson-ave.. from Gladwin
park TO easterly city limits Supple
mentaD. s25,367; for inventory OF
plant, $4,000.
In response to a suggestion by 10
lice Commissioner Croul that all rail-
wav crossings in the city be guarded
nv red lights at night, Supt Mister
skv said that 1t would cost In the
neighborhood OF s3S,0o5 to properly
light the 1871 railway intersections IN
the city. The committee decided NOT
to include the item in the budget THIS