The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1920-09-30
MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF OAK
LAND ADDRESSES ITS CITIZEN
Statement of the Body Regarding the
Electric Tight Situation

statement OF the BODY Regarding the
Electric Light Situation.
The following communication from
the Mayor and Council of Oakland
was handed The Republican yesterday
morning by Councilman E. A. Shaffer,
who requested its publication:
Oakland, Md, Sept. 20, 1920
To the Citizens of the town of Oak
land.
The Mayor and Town Council some
time ago, realizing the seriousness of
the electric light situation, called a
meeting of the citizens of the town
to talk over the matter in order to
secure their help in adjusting same.
The citizens of the above mentioned
meeting appointed committee to act
with the Mayor and Town Council. At
the suggestion of this committee.
Messrs. Coll & Company, of Clarks-
burg, West Vas, were employed to
make estimates as follows:
Cost of installing and operating
water power plant on Youghiogheny
River about one mile north of Oak
land;
Cost Of installing and operating fuel
oil plant;
Cost of installing and operating
steam power plant.
Their estimates were as follows:
Water power, cost of installing,
S8l ,O0O.C0; operating cost per month,
$30C00;
Fuel oil plant, cost of installing,
sag, ~ go; operating cost per month,
Steam plant, cost of installing.
$48, 5000; operating cost PER month,
The engineers stated that even at
the above prices, it would be almost
impossible to get delivery on neces-
sary material within a reasonable
time.
The engineers were also instructed
to make detailed estimate as to the
value OF the plant operated by the
Oakland Electric Company The total
OF this estimate, which was based on
Its sale value as second hand material
dld not include two steam engines, one
gas engine, one generator and the lot
and building, was $7,764.O0. The
above mentioned exceptions were not
estimated on account of the fact that
they could not be used in any of the
proposed plants, except the lot and
building, and they placed no estimate
on their value on account of not being
familiar with local property values.
1t can be readily seen that the cost
of either of the new plants makes
them lmpracticable, not taking into
consideration the delay that would
be caused by not being able to secure
The final advice of the engineers
was to buy the present equipment and
scure a boiler and engine to run it
with steam. They were asked to make
an estimate of the cost of making the
necessary changes, which was $500,
The final price agreed upon by the
Oakland Electric Company for their
total equipment, including the build
ing, lot and other material not in
GUIDED by the engineers, is 100000
Inc total amount required to take over
the present system and put same into
operating condition would therefore
be SIT, 10000. The estimated annual
revenue of the plant, based on present
rates, will be about 100000. The
cost of operating, for the first wear or
two, will be about the same amount.
In regard to taking the matter of
the present owners running the plant
up before the Public Service Com
mission, we have been advised by our
attorney that this is impracticable.
for the reason that it would very
probably take considerable time. cost
the town money, and in the meantime
we would be without the lights. At
the present time it is costing the town
S26o0.O0 per year to light the streets
and approximately 100000 to operate
the pumps that supply the town with
water These amounts could be saved
by the town owning its own plant; as
electric motors could be installed to
operate the pumps and the amount
saved would more than pay the inter
est on the investment. It might he
well to mention that while the Act
authorizing the bond issue call for
it is not the intention of
the Mayor and Town Council to use
any more of this amount than is all
Solutely necessary to make such chan
ges as Will insure us light for the COM
ing winter.
We have been notified bv the Suner-
lntendent of the Northern Natural
Gas Company that on and after No
vember 1st they will be compelied to
discontinue the furnishing of gas for
commercial purposes, they also furth-
er stated that it will probably be
January LIST before they can assure
US sufficient supply of gas for heat
ing and lighting purposes. This will
effect the closing down of our electric
light plant, which makes it necessary
that some action by the town authori-
ties to insure lighting for the town
aIter November LIST. Therefore, the
Mayor and Town Council have thought
it best to make the above tentative
arrangements. subject to the decision
Of the qualified voters of the town of
Oakland.
Very respectfully,
THOMAS A. GONDER, Mayor.
S. B. ARONHALT,
President of Council.
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