The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-05-16
CARTER SAYS
LIGHT PLANT
IS IMPROVING
Public Service Commission
Engineer Discourages Radi-
cal Change in Operations
Says Better Service Ahead.
SUGGESTS FRANkNESS

Any radical change in the operation
of the city light plant at this time is
discouraged in the report of Earl L.
Carter, assistant chief engineer of the
state public service commission. in his
report submitted to the commission
last Saturday and report Of which
was received by Mayor Zimmerman
and E. NJ. CaInpfield Monday.
The establishment of a spirit of CO.
operation between all parties con-
cerned in the operation of the plant.
and frankness that would result in
all parties getting the informatioon
they are entitled to and should have.
is recommended by the engineer.
Sees Better Service.
Mr.. Carter states prospects fo- much
better service from the plant is to be
expected in the future, and adds that
great many repairs and improve
ments that should have been made iE
the past were not made and now ne
cessitate large expenditures at this
time than would nave been necessary
if the troubles had been taken care of
as they developed or if they had been
anticipated and remedied before they
developed
The report in full follows:
Mr.. Fred Bates Johnson,
Commissioner.
Dear Sir
On May 12, 1921 l made a trip to
Richmond, Indiana where visited
some members of the city council, city
attorney, various officials Of the light
plant. public utilities committee of
the Chamber of Commerce, consulting
engineer for the city of Richmond and
various employees in the electric plant.
Under date of December 10, 1921
l made report to you covering the
situation in regard to the electric
plant in Richmond as I found it early
in December of last year. / have not
been in Richmond siLce early in De-
cember of last year and after making
a general inspection of the electric
light plant I find that several things
have been done. e--
1. When I visited Richmond in De-
| cember of last year found that there
was divided authority in regard to the
| management of the electric utility
l found at that time that one man had
charge of the office and its manage
] ment, and another man had charge
Of the plant and it's management and
apparently at that time there was not
the best of cooperation between these
parties. I find that at the present
time the office and plant are now
| under the management of one man
and that the man directly in charge of
| the plant is responsible to the man
| who has charge of the office.
2. When I was at the plant in De-
cember | found steam leaks in the
engine room and in the boiler room
with great quantities of steam es-
| Gaping. When visited the plant May
IL. 1921 l found that practically all of
these steam leaks have been repaired
and at the present time there are
| comparatively few leaks.
| 3. My original inspection developed
the fact that there was no means of
| taking or keeping station records.
find now that one corner of the power
plant has been partitioned off and an
office with decent facilities has been
established
4. Up until the first of the present
year practically no records were kept
showing the plant operations. At pres
ent time / find that fairly satisfac-
tory system of records are being kept.
Such records consisting OF engineers
daily reports showing supplies con-
sumed such as coal, steam, oil, waste,
Continued on Page Eleven.l