The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1916-06-01
PLANS FOR THE
NEW PLANT
OcaIa, When Its Water and Electric
Works are Complete, Will be
ExceIlently Equipped

WHICH IuS HSW G1uU,ooO iSht ohA
water plant is completed, Ocala will
have one of the most unique plants III
the United States, and one of the best
equipped plants in the South. The en-
gincering records show no other in
stance in this country where an oil
engine is operated in direct compe-
tition with steam engine and requir-
ed to meet Identical conditions, and
the eyes of the engineering world
will watch this competition to see
what the results are. The plans for
the plant were prepared in accordance
with the rules and requirements of
the National Insurance Underwriters.
These points concerning the new
plant were made by Mr.. David Hen
ney, of the firm of Twombly & Hen
ney, the city's engineers in the case,
in answer to questions of Star rep
resentative. Mr.. Henney reached the
city yesterday afternoon, to arrange
for the starting of work on the plant
and make such alterations in the plans
az will be necessary in placing 1he
plant in the center of the waterworks
block, and placing the standpipe in
the southwest corner of the block.
This morning, accompanied by Presi-
dent Nash of the council and Mr.. ID.
w. Davis, Mr.. Henney went over the
waterworks property. Like Mr.. Twom-
bly,, Mr.. Henney is quiet and most
pleasant gentleman, and answered
questions readily and gladly.
In discussing the criticisms recent
ly made against the De La Vergne
engine, that will form a part Of the
new stations equipment, Mr.. Henney
stated that this oil engine was one of
two oil engines that have been tested
in the laboratories of the Insurance
underwriters under the direction of
the National Board of Underwriters
and found to be satisfactory. And
later in his room at the Ocala
House, the engineer pointed out to the
Stars representative statement of
the fact in a bulletin of the under
writer's Laboratories. Mr.. Henney
said that, of course, this did not mean
that all other oil engines failed to
meet the tests of the underwriters, but
meant merely that of the engines
tested these two were approved.
Mr.. Henney reiterated the fact that
in the new plant no one unit of ma
chinery will have to be depended on
to give the city adequate fire protec-
ton.
Asked what was the prime reason
for placing an oil engine in the speci-
fications, Mr.. Henney said that it was
done because of decision of council.
He said that in the original plans
submitted by his firm two steam en-
gines were provided for. Council had
these plans changed so as to include
in the plant an oil engine, believing
as majority did, that an oil engine
would make for greater economy. Mr..
Hepney stated that the first cost of
the oil engine would be greater than
that of a steam engine. 1t remained
to be seen, he said, whether or not
the oil machine would prove more
economical than the steam, but that
in any event the oil and steam engine
combination would, under guarantee,
have to give just as economical SER
vice as if the two steam engines had
been adopted. It is this test that will
be watched with great interest.
With reference to the water supply
Mr.. Henney said that the plans pro-
vided pressure of 72 to ~ pounds
at the plant, with pressure of &c
to 81 pounds at the highest point in
the city. This, he said, will take care
of any ordinary requirements for fire
purposes. If necessary, direct pres
sure can be put on the mains up to
as much as the mains will stand. And
in answer to a question, he said that
in the high pressure system of New
York City about so pounds was used
Mr., Henney has letter from Will.
lam T, Price, manager and chief en-.
gineer of the power department of the
De La Vergne Engine company, stat
ing that the De La Vergne engines al
the plant of the Daytona Electric
Light & Power company are working
entirely satisfactorily. These Daytons
engines have been under discussion il
the recent criticisms.
"We would recommend says th.
letter in part, "that the council a
Ocala appoint committee to go down
and see the engines in operation ant
talk with Mr.. Scholtz, president of tn,
company"
.'In June, 1913,' the letter say
/ further" we sold this company on
go h. p. FIJI engine. In November
1914, we sold it two 100 h. p. engines
which contract, by the way, contem
plated the return of the original so
| p. engine, as this was too small uni
to fit in with their growing demands
4 "In June, 1915, the Daytona Elec
| trio Light & Power company purchas
ed from US a 200 h. p. 'FH' engine an
la 14-ton ice engine.
| II have on my desk contract dat