The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1913-09-25
Synopsis Of Light Plant,

prices.
Synopsis Of Light Plant.
When local option carried here s years
ago, the city owed SIS, 10000 light
bonds. The light fund was indebted to
the general fund in the neighborhood
of $40, 100000. The machinery was in
very bad condition-the line practically
down on the ground and the business
end most miserable. Practically all
the customers were on fiat rate. The
rates were less than than the electricity
could be produced for. No one seemed
to know anything about the contracts.
The city clerk was keeping the books
and was very busy with the other at
fairs of the city for which he received
very little pay. The Superintendent OF
the ligh plant did not know who were
paying customers and who were not.
He did not even. know what kind Of a
contract they had with the city, if any,
therefore the customer had the privi-
lege of buying any size lamp he chose
whether he was supposed to use them
or not. He also could add as many as
he saw fit and the chances were that
the city clerk would never know any
thing about it. In fact the business
was appalling.
Since that time under the present
management the plant has been COM
pletely overhauled and about S., ZOO
worth of new machinery added and
paid for he day circuit has been es-
tablished and is a paying investment.
The lines have been repaired at an ex-
pense of about $4,000. Quite anumber
of street lights have been added and
extensions made to the lines. The COM
mercial users have been increased from
$50 in number to over 300 and are we'll
pleased with the service. The plant
has run continuously during this period
of time without single shutdown.
$l8, 900 of the bond issue has been re-
tired leaving only $1,000 more to be
paid. which is all that the city owes to
any one or for any purpose. This
amount can be easily retired within the
next two years.
Superintendent Cannon estimates the
condition of the system as follows:
Taking 100 per cent. as perfect the
figures are as follows:
Condition of the business, 80 per
cent. of perfect.
Condition of the Meters, IS per cent.
of perfect.
Condition of the lines, so per cent.
of perfect.
Condition of the plant including build
ings, machinery, boilers, smoke stacks
and general efficiency, 80 per cent. of
perfect.
The entire business of the system is
on the meter basis, therefore everyone
pays alike in proportion to the amount
of service he receives.
The books and papers are all on
record so that any one may see and in
spect them. The plant is paying nice
ly but is fast wearing out and soon will
have to be replaced with larger and
more conveniently arranged building.
The machinery IS getting old and worn
and will soon have to be replaced with
new machinery. The boilers are in bad
condition, the setting having never
been good as they were built of the
cheapest materials by ordinary brick
layers instead of professional boiler
setter. To add to their weakness the
smoke stacks were placed on top of the
arched wall of the boilers which with
their weight of 81, 600 pounds each to-
gether with the movements of the
wind, make them an awful burden for
the thin walls Of the boiler setting,
which in turn gives way and are lost
for heating purposes. The stacks are
old and about burned out and will have
to be replaced within the next year.
The line is fast giving out, the poles
are rotting off and will soon have to
be replaced. The insulation is fast
rotting off the wires which will require
new wire in the near future. In fact,
Supt. Cannon's great hope is to get the
system paid for before it wears out
and has to be replaced with new sys-
tenn entirely.
To. the Patrons of the Butler
|, Water Company