Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-10-13
LIGHT PLANT SALE .
ENDORSED JOINTLY
Continued from Page 81

| 1TOIH IdBc ~
drawing interest until the present
council changed it's financial system.
and those present were opposed to the
city carrying any idle surplus. To this
! the mayor consented.
After Il was known that the city s
property was not worth more than 49,
900 and would bring $4,000, that more
| lights could be had for less money. and
that the city's electric light boilers had
been condemned. 1t was the unanimous
opinion of all present that the city
should sell and buy its light until the
effects Of the war had had time to
, disappear.
Councils Statement.
Editor Times Republican:
Mr.. Sparks In the MarshaTltown Trib-
une is making a fragrant attempt to
mislead the people in regard to the
proposed sale Of the municipal street
lighting system to the Iowa Railway
and Light Company. and the proposed
contract with that company for a re-
moval Of the old, obsolete system OF
street lighting and the installation of
a modern. up-to-date system. MT
Sparks forgets that the city is to re-
ceive $4,000 for it's old system. which
is more than the city electrician, after
a careful inspection, found that 1t was
worth. He ignores the fact that the
city conucil found that after utilizing
the old system to the fullest extent 1t
would have to expend from $4,000 to
$50, 900 additional for a new generator.
switch board. engine and boilers, and
other equipment necessary to provide
the city with a modern, up-to-date dis
tribution system and plant from which
to operate same, and that this money
would have to be borrowed by the city
at not less than per cent amounting
to $4,000 annually: and that the depre-
citation on this plant and system would
amount to at least per cent per an
mum, or $500, making an annual ex-
pense Of $4,000, and all of this before
the plant was put In operation or any
current generated for the lighting OF
the streets. We are taxing the people
now s11,044 per annun for the mere
cost OF running our plant, so we are
facing a probable annual tax Of $4,000
per year to make our own lights.
Before negotiating with the Iowa
Railway and Light Company the city
council obtained engineering advice. es-
Inmates Of costs Of a new lighting sys-
tenn, ability to procure the necessary
apparatus. and after full investigation
unanimously reached the conclusion
that there would be a great saving to
the city by dealing with the Iowa Rail-
way and Light Company. because this
company has its power house already
~ q fSfrihIIt-
ing lines. -.s
At the present time the city is paying
s11.044 for it's street lighting as fur
nished from its own plant and for cur
rent at four cents per killowatt fur
nished by the Iowa Railway and Light
Company for the operation of the cleo
trolier system. Under the proposed
contract we get eighty-four lights
which will be SO distributed as to light
every portion Of the city which at this
time is not properly lighted and the
whole will cost JUS $3.50. or a saving to
the city of s2,365 year in addition to
the eighty-four lights and the avoid
ance OF bonding the city for $4,000.
Mr.. Sparks does not seem to under
stand electric light rates when he fig
ures the cost up to cents by including
the maintenance Of the distributing
system. The company offered" to sell
US current at 3 cents and let us keep
our old plant and maintain 1t. We con-
suited experts and made the proposed
contract because 1t was a better deal
for the city. If Sparks is right our ex-
perts are liars. We are actually getting
a rate under cents for the current
when the cost OF keeping up the lamps
and distributing system Is deducted.
This rate when the loss of current be-
tween the switch board and the lamp
is considered is less net at the plant
than Mr.. Sparks says 1t costs to pro
duce electricity in the municipal plant
at Webster City.
Again Mr.. Sparks does not seem TO
know that the law prevents US levying
any more than mills for street lights
and we are spending all that now,
therefore we have no funds with which
to buy more lights II we don't sell the
old plant.
First. The city will obtain modern.
up to- date street lighting system. to be
installed within the next sixty days
after the contract Is executed, without
any bond issue of $4,000.
Second. E1ghty-1Our adultlonat HSHIs
will be installed so as to complete the
proper lighting of all Of the streets OF
the city, with less cost Of operation.
Third. The city will make an ac1
tual saving Of $2,385 q year = f23,850
for ten years. plus 100000 saved for In
terest and depreciation.
Fourth. The city conucii will be able
to reduce our tax levy for street light.
ing purposes after this year.
9. H. Reilly. Mayor.