Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-01-02
REFUSES RAISE
IN RATESAS OLD
CONTRACT ENDS
VIII Work Big Saving,
Says Ansley; 1t Won't
Says johnson

announcement was made to the
city council last night by Chairman
Mashburn, of the Light and Water
Committee, that the city had fred
up its own power plant, out of use
for some time, and at the stroke of
IL o'clock midnight at the beginning
OF the new year had begun pumping
It's own water and furnishing it's own
power for lighting the fire DEPART
ment, city hall, town clock, etc. AT
that hour the contract with the
Americus Lighting Company expired
and the committee, having been au-
thorized to act and having refused to
accede to the new contract offered
by the company at an increased rate,
had ordered Supt. ]. B. Ansley to fire
up the municipal plant and proceed
with furnishing power. The report
Of Chairman Mashburn was accepted
and ratified by the council.
Chairman Mashtrrn also reportad
that the Lighting Company would
submit new contract at The old rate.
which the city could sign, for light-
ing the streets. The current for this
purpose is furnished at the commer-
cial rate By the company.
The dispute between the city off,
cials and the Lighting Company has
resulted in some interesting predic-
tions as to what the results will be
for the city during the year. The
Lighting Company during the last
year has furnished power for pump
ing, city hall lighting, ETC., at In
cents per kilowatt hour.
Increase OF $4,35O.
The city consumed. at this rate.
about S9,333 in current, but the con-
tract contained clause calling for
a minimum for the year of $4,000.
The new contract offered by the COM
pany called for 2.25 cents per kilo-
watt hour, which would have brought
the city's bill for this year, assum-
ing that only the same amount of
current was used, up to S12,352. In
addition, the new contract provided
for the commercial rate of 12 cents
basis for the city hall, fire station
and clock lighting, according to the
estimSte of Superintendent Ansley,
would have added another $4,000 to
the city's bill for this year, bringing
it up to approximately $14,350, or
an increase of $4.350 over 1919.
I'VE can produce our current for
the old rate paid, IL cents, or even
cheaper" said Mr.. Ansley, when the
council sought his advice, and he
was told to go to it. And he went.
"The city will find that it will cost
fully as much to produce current as
the new rate we offered" was the
comment of ]. E. Johnson, manager
of the Lighting Company today.
Zone item alone which may not have
been figured will amount to $1,000.
This is the item of interest on the
money that will be required to re-
place an old boiler and make other
repairs on the plant, which will cost
at least $30,G20 and which should
be figured at per cent per year"
Has No Auxiliary.
Mr.. Ansley told the council some
time ago that one boiler would have
to be replaced shortly for safety,
as the plant now has no auxiliary
and has to depend solely upon one
boiler. He declared this item had
been figured into his estimate.
The Lighting Company notified the
city several weeks ago that it was
actually losing money on the city's
contract, and that the new rate
would merely bring the price to the
city up to cost. Superintendent Ans
Icy contended that as the power was
furnished to the city "between
times" pumping being done only
when it is, necessary for the company
to keep tie plant running anyhow
the gross amount received by the
company from the city, minus the
cost of certain amoun' of addi-
tional fuel required. is profit to the
company. since it represents revenue
that would otherwise be lot without
a corresponding decrease in cost of
operation.