The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-05-08

cost, even though we still buy power
| from the water company at the form
er price Our company has no desire
for an increase in rates, unless it is
absolutely necessary. If. however,
| large unnecessary expenditures must
be made at this time, without a cor
responding increase in revenue, it is
only natural to assume that relief
| through increase in electric rates
would be FASTENED cOrrespondingIy.
1t is said by some that an under
ground system should be put in before
new bricks are relayed, as great
saving would be made in the cost, and
the pavement would not later have to
be disturbed. This statement is hard
ly in conformity with the facts.
1st-Because labor and material
were never higher than they are now,
and may never be as high again.
2nd-The proposed paving work
now in contemplation is to consist
merely Of relaying the brick surface
the concrete foundation will not be
disturbed at this time.
If it should be decided later that an
underground system is desirable and
practicable, the extra expense of re-
moving and relaying a narrow strip
of brick would be comparatively
small
The expense of installing an under
ground system at this time would be
extremely expensive, running into
many thousands of dollars. The rev.
enues of the electric company would
not be increased and the wooden poles
which our company now has on Main
street in the district under discussion,
could not be removed until the present
street lights are removed and white
way" system installed.
Therefore, for these reasons alone
it appears to us and many other peo-
pie i'll this city, that it would not be
wise to consider the actual installa-
ton Of an underground system at this
time.
There are many other reasons why
postponement Of this matter until
later is advisable.
1st.-It has been the policy of our
company for several years past to re-
duce the number of poles and wires
on Main street to the minimum. AS a
matter of fact an investigation will
show that there is at present not one
wooden electric distribution pole on
Main street between Montgomery and
Fifth streets which is not necessary
for the support of the present arc
lamps. There are no wooden poles
belonging to this company in the mid
die blocks. This means that the pres
ent wooden poles will have stay up
until some other form of street light
ing system is put in.
2nd-If white way street lighting
system is put in later, it would not
utilize any general underground sys-
tenn which might be put in at this
time, but would have a separate steel
armored cable laid next to the curb
just under the brick-no conduit or
other duets being used. This can be
readily installed at any time by re-
moving a strip of brick about one
foot wide along the curb-stone. This
is the standard method of installing
white way system.
3rd-It would not be advisable to
install a white way cable until the To-
cation of the white way posts was de-
termined, so that the necessary spices
and outlets could be provided for in the
cable
4th-It would not be advisable to
consider the installation of a white
way system at this time, because the
cost Of labor and material is too high.
and because the national and state
governments frOwn on such unneces-
sary expenditures at this time.
5th-When the white way is later
installed it is quite probable that all
wooden poles on Main street in the
district above mentioned, would be
removed by the company voluntarily,
as they would not be needed for the
suspension of arc lamps Most bust
ness locations could be served with
electricity from the rear alleys or side
streets, or by a few small wires at
tached to the iron trolley poles.
In conclusion we will say that the
Electric company desires to cooper
ate with the city officials and citizens
at all times in any practical method
of identifying the city and making it
a desirable place to work in and live
in. 1t is interested in the permanent
growth Of WatertOwn, and will do it's
| full share in it's Improvement and I'M
| building. The electric company be-
lieves however, that thorough in
vestigation of this matter from all
| standpoints, will convince you and all
| the members of the common council
| that it would not be advantageous to
| the city's interests to consider an I'M
derground electric system on Main
street at this time.
The writer would be glad to dis
cuss before your board, the council,
or with any citizen, any details of this
matter which may be of interest
Yours truly,
| Wisconsin Gas & Electric Co.,
A. G.. Babson, Manager
| Wisconsin Telephone Co.,
Milwaukee, April %, 1918.
Mr.. Arnold Kraeft, City Engineer,
Watertown, Wis.
| Dear Mr.. Kraeft:
Further referring to the matter OF