Middletown transcript., 1914-10-17
THE |. & W. BOARD
Has Made Many Improvements tC
the Lighting Plant
MANY SIDEWALKS REPAIRED

MANY SIDEWALKS REPAIRED
1t Is a gratifying fact, noted by al
observers at homo and abroad, that
Middletown is waking up, and catching
step with modern progress.
Cement crossings broad and smooth
big 400 candle power lights hung over
the middle of the streets, replacing the
old corner lamp system; the blessed
contagion of smooth level cement pave
ments spreading over the town; maca-
damized streets, mended sidewalks and
curbings with the promise soon of an
ordinance requiring cement pavements
for Main and Broad streets, these are
some of the new and better things seen
today.
Now to crown these benefits, is an
able Light and Water Board through
whose energy and foresight, the ma
chinery of the old plant, whose increas-
ing ineficiency threatened to collapse
altogether. has been replaced with later
and better machinery, which has put
the whole system upon a self-support-
ing basis for the first time in the his
tory of the town!
The following n wv machines have been
bought: An Ingersoll-Rand Air Com
pressor, which by forming vacuum,
lifts the water out Of the 260 foot well
into the two reservoirs Of a total capa-
city of ITS, 900 gallons, whence it is af-
forwards forced into the stand pipe.
A second Ingersoll-Rand Air Com
pressor is being installed to replace the
first in case Of any accident etc, thera-
to: This insures the perfect certainty
of the whole SYSTEMS workings.
These fine machines are from the
works of the Ingersoll-Rand Company of
New York City.
The new Direct Current Wood Gen
orator, made by the Fort Wayne Elec-
trio Works, at Fort Wayne, Ind, is
equal to $50 horse power, generating
900 amperes which is enough to run
1920 lights.
This one dynamo delivers more power
than all the four old dynamos together
did, and does this with decreased coal
consumption! This represents a big
advance both in efficiency and in eco
nomy.
Attached to the new dynamo are two
electric ammeters which show the
amount of electric power being gener-
ated at the station, first for the town
lighting system, and next for the lights
used in the houses.
Still another improvement, is the
placing of all the overhead wires in the
Power Station underground in sealed
iron conduits.
Another valuable addition is the new
electric equalizer which prevents one
dynamo from robbing its fellow and
thus by being overloaded not only lose
efficiency but also endanger its own ma
machinery.
To run the dynamos, about a year
ago new $50 horse power boiler made
by the Coatesville Boiler Works at
Coatesville, Pa, was installed,
The Board has provided sinking
fund to meet the deterioration by wear
and tear Of the plant, and to retire the
bonded indebtedness, so that the town,
under the present wise business-like
management of its Light and Water
Board, can look forward to a time
when it's citizens will enjoy better
lights for less money, besides cheaper
water.
Mr.. Theodore Whitlock is ably super
intending the operations of the plant,
and Mr.. George Foraker is with
equal skill and fidelity attending to the
duties of fireman and engineer, for
which his IA years experience at the
Dover Light and Water works, plus 13
years here in Middletown, amply fits
him.
At his suggestion the Board, instead
of selling the force pump formerly used
to force the water into the stanIpipe,
had it rugged up as an auxiliary TO add
to the 40 pound pressure of the stand
pipe for use in cases of fire.
The members of the present Board
are: George V. Peverley, President;
and Messrs. Fred Brady, Harry Davis,
Richard Price and DR.. D. w. Lewis.
We should not fail to give to the
Boards polite and efficient clerk, Mr..
Daniel W. Stevens, a due share of the
credit of the success which is attending
the present conduct of the Light and
Water B oard of our town.
Three years ago they opened an office
a ld placed Mr.. Stevens therein. and he
has since had the entire charge of its
business, collects all light and water
dues and attend to the other miscellan-
eoss affairs of the Board.
IT, r. CE,o.L Csl.H