The log cabin Democrat., 1913-05-17
CITY BUYS NEW x LIGHT PLANT UNIT
COUNCIL LETS CONTRACT
POWERFUL NEW ENGINE AND GENERATOR BOUGHT AT COST
 OF S6,100.

Accepting the recommendations of the light and water commission ana Superintendent E. Y. Leverett, the city council at an adjourned meeting held late yesterday afternoon, closed a con tract with the Allis-C Chalmers Manu- featuring Co. of Milwaukee for a pow erful new unit and other equipment to be installed at once at the city light and power station, at a cost of $6,100.
 The commission and superintendent had been considering bids from doz- en different companies for the past three days, the representative of each company making a hard fight to land the contract. It is believed that in awarding the contract the city has se- cured a most modern and uptodate unit at very reasonable price.
 Under the contract the Allis-Chal- mers Company is to deliver to the plant, freight prepaid, within the next 50 days 16X36 Corlss engine, run ming I20 revolutions per minutes and developing at 130 pounds steam pres sure 300 horsepower at one-fourth cut eff. The engine has double eccentries and IS capable of delivering a maxi mum of 400 horsepower. It will be direct connected to a 190 K. V. A. gen. orator, eliminating the use of belt, giving a higher efficiency, and at the same time occupying less floor space and reducing the cost of foundation. With the engine and generator is in- cluded switchboard, steam separator, automatic trap, etc.
 While the council appropriated the amount of the contract and authorized the mayor and recorder to issue time warrants for the cost of the machin- cry, 1t is not intended that any part of the cost shall come out of the city's general revenue fund. The payments have been so arranged that they will be taken care of by the monthly profits of the light plant, and it is expected to discharge the indebtedness within two years.
 The commission which received the bids is composed of Aldermen R. B. McCulloch, Wellington Robbins and A. J. Meadors.
 Referring to the purchase of the new machinery, Superintendent E. V. Leverett said today:
 ''Conways light and power plant has grown to such proportions that it is no longer safe to run the risk of keeping the plant running 24 hours daily with only one engine and gener- ator In the event of breakdown the city would be thrown out of lights or water for fire protection perhaps 10 days, two weeks or maybe longer. The small engine can not take care of the heavy load required for" the evening lighting or for power for running the electric motors at the waterworks pump station. The safer way is to be prepared by having two units, eith- CT of which can carry the peak load.
 City plants too frequently make the of buying either old worn-out or new machinery that is out of date. Conway's lighting and power plant, with it's new equipment and remodeled building, will be the best in state for a town twice it's size. The plant and grounds will look more like park than a junk pile. I be- lieve the people of Conway deserve and can have the best plant, best service, water and light, and I hope to be able to furnish this and at the same time pay out the amount due on the new at a rapid rate"