The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-08-27
COUNCIL MAKES
LIGHT COMPANY
APPROPRIATION
$4,000 Voted for Improve
ments in Municipal Plant
No Dissenting Votes.

Appropriation of $4,000 for the
repairs of the dam and the installa
ton of new boilers for the Municipal
Electric Light Plant was made at the
meeting OF the city council Monday
night. The appropriation was not OPP
posed by any member. An increase
In the rates for electricity will be
asked for, to pay for the Improvement,
Mayor Zimmerman said.
Many manufacturers and citizens
OF Richmond were present. Before
the vote was taken, Mayor thinner
man called upon each one to state his
views on the appropriation. John M.
Lontz, OF the F. & n. Lawn Mower
company was first called upon.
Mr.. Lontz stated that "As a manu-
facturer | am interested in this ap-
preparation. Until recently l knew
nothing about the situation, but after
! investigation it seems to me that the
need is imperative. Many manufac
! turers were doing war work. 1t is
| just as serious not to purchase new
boilers as it would be for the govern
ment not to purchase hand grenades.
Richmond would not be doing her part
If she were not able to keep up her
part In the war There is plenty of
HlOHty III W SET dly thlI6
that Is necessary. In view OF the ma
ticnal situation this preparation
should be made If there is a shut
down labor will be out of employment
1t is not wise to take chances in so
grave an hour"
Charles w. Jordan said THE bust
ness of he utility is to furnish power.
The plant is now running at full ca
pacity and in the winter II repairs
were necessary 1t would mean a shut
down. There must be more power,
especially since the gas question is 80
unsettled. A break down would mean
dire disaster to Richmond manufac-
turers. Do not connect the end of the
war with the situation. Supply Rich
mond with electricity when you have
no competitors"
s. L. Swayne of the Swayne Robin
son manufacturers said, I'VE are man
ufacturing our own electricity. The
situation makes no difference person
ally, but hare always been vitality in
terested in the betterment Of industry
in Richmond. l feel that Richmond
would make very great mistake to
postpone the purchase of the boilers
when they are 80 high and times are
so abnormal. l think 1t would be I'M
wise to wait until the end Of the war.
Duty to Community.
THE Pennsylvania railroad is build
ing large addition to Richmond, and
IL will require large amount of cleo
tricity. The war industries board will
probably refuse the railroad the right
to build an electrical plant. There is
possibility under the present situa-
ton OF disaster coming to Richmond"
Thomas B. Jenkins, Of the Vulcan
Springs said. 81 do not believe that the
price OF steel will go down after peace
is declared. Owing to the conserva>
ton and scarcity of coal and the diff
ficulty Of transportation and the fact
that the plant is now working its
boiler capacity to the maximum that
the appropriation should be made"
Howard DILL president of the Com
mercial Club, stated that, "a public
utility has duty to the community
which 1t serves. The duty is just the
same as II 1t were a private plant
Richmond is trying to get new manu-
facturers and it will prevent them
from coming here If they are not able
to get their current. 1t is a matter OF
business that the appropriation be
made"
N. II. Johnson, superintendent of
the city plant: Il believe that the
most important thing has not yet been
touched upon. Manufacturers who say
they do not have to depend upon the
city plant for their current are really
the most dependable ones. The United
States fuel administration has issued
an order that where 1t can be shown
that the central station produces cleo
trio energy on a small consumption Of
coal per kilowat hour, that these
isolated plants are compelled to dis
continue and buy their electricity from
the central station.
Charles MCGUIRE, Z. H. Cureton, Ben
Hill and Walter Neal also spoke urg-
ing the appropriation.
Councilman Waterman stated that
he felt that there was not member
OF the council who did not favor the
appropriation, but the question was
whether 1t would be cheaper to install
the boilers or accept the Hatfield bid
which included the installation
Councilman Ford stated that 81 am
very glad that the appropriation was
+ held up last Monday night. Informa.
ton has been brought to us that could
not have been brought in any other
way than by the manufacturers them
selves. lI8aI,WwMN
Other members of council and ali
the citizens stated that they were
heartily in favor of the appropriation.
To keep the boys happy. If i'll whit
away from home. the American Re-