Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-02
THE MUNICIPAL LIGHTING PLANT
Statement Made Concerning It by Daniel r. Shea of the Board of Commissioners in Charge.


 Daniel r. Shea of the Board of Commissioners in Charge.
 In a statement made public on We'd nesday by Commissioner Daniel T. Shea of the board of gas and electrical electric plant, which was prompted by The Bulletins editorial following the city meeting, he says:
 "The writer had thought that he made matters so clear the other even ing that they could be grasped by the ordinary intellect, but such does not seem to be the case, judging from the tone of last Fridays editorial.
 "In the first place as regards the contract which he intimated had ex- pired the writer is unaware of any such contract. If, as he resumes, the editor means that with the American Thermos Bottle company, the writer might state for his information that former board of commissioners in the year 1912 for a period of five years, expiring on or about the 18th day of December 1917. There can hardly be sioners for living up to legal con- tract. This rebuke would indeed be justified if the contract had expired and power continued to be supplied at loss.
 'In the second place as regards those much talked of bills for s36,000 remaining unpaid at the beginning of the present fiscal year, no one regrets more than the writer that he did not have the exact figures to quote the other evening. However, he was called upon to fill a sudden breach and did it as efficiently as possible under the circumstances.
 One reason for the $36,o00 is that during the previous winter 50 carloads of 2,437 tons of coal on contract were held up, when the embargo was de- clared, and not delivered at the rate of three week, as per contract, but rushed in when the embargo was lift ed. These were scattered on various sidings, some of them waiting to be unloaded, when the present fiscal year began, the bills having been rendered was made Hence these bills to the amount of sS,214.26 had to be paid out of this years appropriation. More over, coal had to be bought anywhere pense over and above the contract and estimated price of $3,545.44.
 Another set of bills rendered prior to but unpaid at the beginning of the present fiscal year were those of the Uncas Power company for power fur nished at the rate of II mills per kilo- watt. This rate the commissioners disputed, claiming one of 10 mills per kilowatt, which after some time of disputation they secured. However, settlement was made dIIeT Lle DeSlL- ming of the present fiscal year and hence s9.894.S0 had to be paid from this years appropriation. These are three of the items. Add to inc
 pairing down of the appropriations for the last two years to the amount of s30,000 and your so-much- -talked-of s36,0 is accounted for.
 Here are also a few facts which it would be well for one ever ready to cast reflections on the municipal plant to bear in mind: Our failure to get coal at the contract price during the first nine months of this year alone has cost us an unexpected extra expense of $7,707.86. The unforeseen outlay occasioned by the new, administration in widening and constructing new streets, etc, has cost us $1,560. Add to that an increase in the payroll for the same period of about s6,000. Then imagine what some of the other ad- vances must mean, when copper wire has jumped from Is cents to 35 cents per pound bug lights from $3.75 to s5.05, pipe and fittings 30 per cent, mast arms 50 per cent. oil from .035 cents to .06S cents aper gallon, and gasoline 25 per cent. Taking it all in all, is it any wonder that the com mission need a little more money ro finish the year out?
 T have no apology to make for the present commissioners. However, the press seems to need to know and the puDilC SHOulQ knOW IHdL LHelI DUST ton as regards finance is similak to that of a henpecked husband who turns over his weeks pay every Sat- urday night to his wife, and then has to beg back what he needs during the next week. The commissioners turn over every cent of, the receipts Of the plant to the city treasurer and then have to beg back of the common coun- ell whatever money is necessary for the operation of the plant, in the end having to take whatever the finance committee feels like giving. There is where progress has been impeded and profits lessened. About three years ago the common council held up our gas contained for several months when the commissioners knew the plant was in dire need of it, and since then cut down our appropriation $30,0O0, money that we knew was necessary, as later | events proved. A little over year ago the common council helk up and delayed the purchase of new boilers which were needed then until 1t was too late to install them- These boil CTS, if installed when the commission CTS desired them, would have earned 1 this year a good proportion of their | cost. Without them, our plant is like unto an automobile of an early vintage | whose axles; transmission and frame | are in good condition and ready to | deliver power to the wheels, but whose | motor. has been completely used up | and needs replacement. At the plant | the turbines are in good condition | mechanically, but unequal to present