The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-11-16
City Electric Light Plant Al
ways Practises Economy.
Suggestions From Fuel Com
mittee Come Too Late.
MIGHT SAVE TWO LITTLE CARS
This Would Be Relief to Coal
Shortage in Kansas.
Dark Street Idea Is Entirely
Out of Reason Here.

Economy as far as the city light
plant has been concerned has been
practiced for the last seven years, ac-
cording to Frank Newland, commits
sioner of the water and light depart
ment.
This recent threat to darker the
streets of the city by c. H. Banner,
Shawnee county fuel administrator, III
the name of economy is all foolish
ness, Newland believes.
The fight started when Banner de-
clared that the electric current should
be cut down to save fuel. NeWland
came back at the advance with the
statement that the light plant used
nothing but slack coal for fuel; s0 the
supply to the consumer would not be
increased even if the plant closed
down.
This morning proteges of Banner
started firing on the use of coal cars.
They claim that the curtailing of cleo
trio lights supplied by the city would
effect an economy in the use of cars.
An Old Story.
Newland fired again this morning
and said that the economy at the
light plant in reference to coal cars
has been practiced ever since the car
shortage early in the year. Coal re-
ceived by the city light or water &C.
partment is unloaded and the cars are
returned to the railroads within AS
hours after their receipt. This is the
greatest economy and alienation of
conditions that can be practiced by
the plants
The saving of cars that would be
accomplished by darkening part of
the white way lights and possibly the
| state house dome flood lights might
save less than eighty-five tons of coal
between now and the first of the year,
Newland stated This would mean
two cars in 11ore than six weeks,
which Newland added would be only
minor saving to the country
The idea is entirely out of reason,
to the railroads would be less than d
| drop in the proverbial bucket II
would not be worth the inconvenience
and sacrifice that the citizens of no
peka would have to pay.
| The action threatened by the fuel
| administrator has not yet materialized
banner, it was learned, was not in
Topeka Thursday and the whole
project has been resting until his re-
| turn.
| NeWIand Writes banner.
The doubt of banners authority to
| order a curtailment of the use of mu-
1 niclpat Juice" was still growing today
| The city commissioners, according to
| this letter, states that they are the
| best judges of the situation and>should
| decide whether or not it was necessary
and expedient to cut the supply. The
| letter carries out the genera impress
sion that Danner is unacquainted with
| the light problem.
| The doubt of banners authority tc
close the light plant or to darken the
| city in an effort to "economize" took
definite form today when the follow
ing letter was sent to banners office:
| MT C. ii. banner, Chairman fuel commit.
| tee, Shawnee county. Topeka. Kan
Dear Sir: The city commission of To
| peka is unable, at this time. to see the
necessity, or the desirability. of adopting
| the suggestion you have made In othel
| words, it feels that it is the best Judge
of the situation insofar as it affects stree
lighting in Topeka. If any emergene,
arises; it feels perfectly competent to cope
| There is at present no. intention to cur
| tail, in any way. the street lighting o.
! this town. 1t will be done only in re-
Spouse to an order. and before it is done
the commission must be satisfied that thOs,
giving the order have the authority to dC
| so. and are in position to enforce it.
| Thanking you for your letter | am.
/ Yours very truly
| F. NJ. NEWLAND
Commissioner of Water and Light