The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1920-09-17
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The Consolidated Public Utilities
Company regrets the inconvenience
suffered by its patrons because Of the
Interruption of its customary electric
light and power and gas service; and
wishes to express its appreciation of
the general consideration displayed by
the public, and to submit this explain
alton for their information.
GAS. At our plant gas can only be
made out of certain kind of coal. The
Company had contract for an ample
supply of this coal, which was to be
delivered monthly The Coal Com
pany did not comply with its contract,
and a shipment of a car load was un-
expectedly delayed in transit under
such circumstances that other gas coal
could not be obtained in its place in
time to prevent temporary failure
of the supply. The Utilities Company
now has coal, and is using every
means to secure an uninterrupted
supply.
ELECTRICITY. The electric light
and power plant has always consisted
of a single unit. When electricity
was only furnished at night, the ma
chinery could be kept in order by re-
pairs and overhauling during the day
The public demanded both day and
night service and this meant continu-
Gus operation, with an occasional OPP
portunity on Sunday for repairs.
onder this incessant strain, the engine
broke down, and only temporary re-
pairs could be made, and then the en-
sIne could not develop sufficient power
to furnish current for both electric
lighting and power and pumping the
water into the reservoir.
The Company had to make the
choice between water and electric
light and power. It decided to furn-
ish water and to give the town as
much electric current as. was pos
sible When the engine got so hot
that it could not carry the City, load
it was cut off, so as to preserve the
Gnglne for pumping water. If this had
not been, done, Westminster would
have been without water. AS a result
of this policy, the water supply has
been maintained, although there have
been frequent and sudden stops in the
current furnished the City.
The services of an expert have been
secured; a steam boiler has been
placed to further safeguard the sup
ply of water; and the injured sections
of the engine are taken out and work.
ed on during the<day; and the Com
pany hopes to have normal conditions
in it's electric service restored Satur-
day night
The engine has been in continuous
operation because of the public de-
mand for night and day current. The
Company could not afford to install
two units together, and ran on one uni
as long as it was reasonably safe;
and ordered a second unit in January
1920, which was in time to relieve
the strain on the original unit. De-
livery was promised in % weeks. Let
ters, interviews, personal solicitations
and visits to offices and factory have
been resorted to in order to get a
delivery of the machine, but, owing to-
troubles, the manufactures has been
unable to deliver the generator.
AS soon as the generator arrives,
the City will have the service of two
units, so that an injury to one will
not cut off the current.
After Saturday, the Utilities Com
pany expects to have full electric SER
vice both night and day
THE CONSOLIDATED PUBLIC UTII,-
tiles COMPANY.