Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 31, Number 109, 9 May 1906 — Page 4

Page 4.

The Richmond Palladium, Vednesday, May 9, 1906.

RICHMOND DAILY PALLADIUM

Palladium Printing Co., Publisher. Masonic Building, North 9th and A Streets. Entered at Richmond Postofflce as second class matter. Weekly Established 1831. Dally Established 1876. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. By Mail In Advance. Daily, cne year fS.OO.. Daily, six months, 1J50 Daily, three months, .75 Dally, one month, - .25 BY CARRIER, 7 CENTS A WEEK. Persons wishing to take the PALLADIUM by carrier may order by postal or telephone either 'phone No. 21. When delivery la irregular kindly make complaint. The PALLADIUM will be found at the following places: Palladium Office. Westcott Hotel. Arlington Hotel. Union News Company Depot. dates' Cigar Store, West Main. The Empire Cigar Store. TWO CENTS AT ALL PLACES OF SALE. WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 1906. EXIT, MR. WITHERBY. If Mr. Witherby and his associates who compose the syndicate of municipal light plant brokers, can get any real Joy and comfort out of Prof. Matthews' report of his investigation of the Richmond municipal light plant, they certainly are very game gentlemen and are of the sort who always feel thankful for small favors. Prof. Matthews' report, which is printed in full elsewhere in this issue, is conclusive on one point, viz; that Richmond does not possess the pile of junk that criticisms of the past have made some people believe. That there are repairs needed and that the capacity of the plant should be Increased, Prof. Matthews admits but the tone of his report throughout indicates very plainly that the plant as a whole has not only been performing all that could ba . reasonably expected but has done more. The Board of Public Works Itself recognized the need for increased capacity and Prof. Matthews, whose expert knowledge is not to be questioned, has shown that such must be dene If tiro business of the plant Is to b) increased. Mr. McMahan's report on tho matter of the financial affairs of the municipal plant has been withheld for the time, being as it is to be revised and resubmitted to the committee next Friday night. It is known,, however, that Mr. McMahan has found a very healthy and altogether encouraging condition of affairs. The city has not lost money in the operation of the plant, the report to the' contrary, showng that its earning capacity has been satisfactory and probably equaling the earnings of private plants of the same capacity and maintaining equal rates. If the expert could nly examine the books of the Richmond Light,' Heat and Power Company, it probably would be shown that the city plant has done better than the private plant in the matter of electric lighting, .though such an investigation would ( undoubtedly show that the Richmond Light, Heat and Power Company is I "holding its own" in the artificial gas business as a result of its excessive rates. " The more delving there is done in this business, the more apparJont it becomes that to say the least, it would be a hazardous venture for the city to let go of Its lighting plant. There appears to be at this time little ( prospect that such a foolhardy action will be taken." Mr. Witherby and his associates are certainly distanced in the first heat of this municipal light race, and it is safe to make the prediction that it will likely be In the distant future, If ever, that these eastern gentlemen with much money and little consideration for Richmond people, will have added the local municipal lighting plant to their already big chain. KNIGHTS TEMPLARS LEAVE. The Indana Conclave is to be held at Winona Lake Today The Local Delegation. The local delegation of Kntght Templars to the Indiana Conclave at Winona Lake,, near Warsaw, left yesttday afternoon via the Grand Rapids & Indiana. The Conclave begins today. In the Richmond party were: C. R. Marlatt and daughter, John L. Rupe, John E. Peltx and daughter, LcRoy Browne, Mr. and Mrs. John NicholI son, Mr. and Mrs. George Williams, Harry Glick and El wood Morris.

PROF. C. W. MATTHEWS' REPORT

Puriue University Electrical Engineer gives a Clear Insight cipal Light Plant and Shows that the Only Thing Needed Keep Apace With the Growth of the Commercial Business.

The report of Prof. Matthews of Purdue University, electrical engineer, who inspected the Munici par electric lighting plant, was submitted to the special committer of Council and the Commercial Club yesterday. In full the report is as follows : Mr. H .W. Deuker, Chairman, Joint Committee on Investigation of the Municipal Plant in the City of Richmond, Indiana. ., Dear Sir: Pursuant to the request of Mr, Jesse R. Reeves of your Committee, I have made a preliminary examination of the municipal plant of your city, and I have the honor to lay before you the follownig report: (1) . Object of Inquiry. Specifically to determine whether the present operating conditions of the plant are such as to demand the immediate installation of a new unit to take care of the load, and generally to secure the information on the success of the plant as a municipal enterprise. (2) . Nature and Scope of the Investigation. The actual operating efficiency of the plant could be determined only by a -thorough test of not less than 24 hours duration, involving the taking of indicator cards from the engines, the weighing of all fuel and water, the calibration of all electric instruments, etc., etc. As it was not possible for the undersigned to arrange for a test of this kind prior to a preliminary Inspection, he desires to emphasize the fact that this report attempts to set forth only such conditions as could be observed from an inspection necessarily somewhat superficial. The undersigned visited the plant on the forenoon of Saturday, the 28th of April. In the afternoon of the same day he went over, with the superintendent, the office data on the monthly output, cost of fuel, etc. At 5:30 P. M. he again visited the plant and followed the indications of the switchboard Instruments at 15 minute Intervals from the time of starting the larger unit at 6:15 P. M. until after the cutting out of the smaller unit at 10:35 P. M. Temperatures of the windings of the machines were observed at the beginning and end of this period. On the following morning the undersigned again visited the plant and inspected the water intake and general exterior condition of the property. (3) Kind of Plant. The plant, as your Committee is no doubt aware, Is adapted to combined light and power service. The gener ators are of the .alternating current type, which necessitates the use of transformers for both the Incandescent and arc lighting. The power service is furnished in part by alternating current motors connected directly to the incandescent lightitg system, and in part by direct current motors to which current is furnished over special lines by machines known as rotary converters. The general character . of the installation is in accordance with good engineering practice. More detailed information is given below. (4) Buildings. The condition of the buildings is good and no recommendations are made except that some ventilation of the generator room is desirable. The temiwrature of this room on the night referred to was excessively high. This fact tends to lower the load limit of the generators. The undersigned would recommend the installation of an electrically driven exhaust fan, the first cost of which would be small and the expense of operation almost insignificant. In this connection, the attention of the Committee is called to the fact that while the output of most machinery is limited by the mechanical stress brought about in operation, the output of electrical machinery is very largely controlled by the temperature attained in the coils and armature. Whatever, therefore, tends to lower the operating temperature tends also, to increase the capacity of the plant. v (5) Coal-Handling Facilities. These are rather primitive. A comparatively small outlay would make it possible directly to dump the fuel from the cars Into the chute. In a plant of this size it is not probable that any conveyor system for coal and ashes would be justified on the score of expense, but there are certain minor improvements possible ' In this case which would soon result in paying for themselves. (6) Boilers. The battery consists of three 300 H. P. Sterling units with Roney stokers. Their condition is apparently good and their capacity is entirely adequate. The interval between cleanings, if correctly stated by an attendant, is sufficiently small to insure good service. However, attendant reports some pitting, to which reference will be made latter. (7) Condenser, Pumps, Feed-Water and Other Auxiliaries. Conditloif apparently fair. A thorough test on this portion of the equipment would be necessary to determine the real condition and efficiency. (8) Conditions at Intake. These are bad. At sewer discharges into tho river a short distance above the intake and sewage accumulates in considerable quantity at the wire netting over intake. It may be stated as a general principal that feed water should be as pure as possible. The foreign matter in feed water is likely to cause foaming at times and thy ' attendant states that some trouble has been had from this cause. Furthermore, the presence of animal fats and oils In feed water is one of the causes of pitting in boiler plates. Since the municipality probably controls the sewer in question, . the undersigned recommends that the outlet be changed so as to discharge at a point below the intake of the station. The waste of the condenser water is also too I near the intake. A local current of warm water oj stream is often set up

in such cases so that the water reenters the intake. (9) Engines. The Allfree engine Is generally considered to have good economy but Its complicated valve motion requires very careful attention in order to secure continuously satisfactory operation. When the load is such that no single engine can be shut down for a period of greater than about one-half day, as is the case in the present instance, it becomes difficult to keep the engines in first class running condition. This particular make of engine is not one that is very extensively found in service about the country. This fact enhances the difficulty in finding an engineer sufficiently familiar with the construction of the machine to keep it in thoroughly good shape. Both engines in the city plant "pound" to an undue extent. This condition is one that grows progressively worse at a compound Interest rate, and can only be cured by a shut down of sufficient duration to permit cf a thorough overhauling and realignment. The regulation of the engine is satisfactory. (10) Generators. The generators are two in number, as follows: 1 450 K. W. three phase, General Electric Field Generator, 2300 volts, 150 r .p. m., 60 cycles. 1 ,300 K. W. three phase, General Electric Field Generator, 2300 volts, 150 r. p. m., 60 cycles. Hence the total full load capacity of the generators Is 750 K. W. h The equipment includes two General Electric 15 K. W. engine driven exciters direct connected to Allfree simple engines running at 400 r. p. m., and also two rotary converters for furnishing the direct electric current sold to consumers. The condition of electrical machinery is in the main very good. The smaller unit has a ground between the field winding and the frame of the machine. This is a condition which should be remedied at once since any ground that might occur on the high tension circuit would bring about an electric strain on the field, and exciting circuit which would almost surely result In trouble. It would be a simple matter to locate the grounded spools and replace them by sound spools. (11) Switch Board and Instruments. The condition of the switch board is satisfactory, but the instruments are in need of adjustment and calibration. One ammeter fails to indicate; another has a badly bent pointer, while one of the watt-hour meters, upon which the monthly output of the plant is measured, gives rather dubious indications. (12) Transformers. The arc light service or "Tub" transformers seem to be in satisfactory condition. (13) Load Conditions. On Saturday evening, April 28th, the total load Indicated at switch board rose to a maximum of 617 K. W. This occured at 7:45 P. M., or fifteen minutes after the street arcs had been turned on. It is clear that the plant was not overloaded on the evening referred to. The maximum load was 82 per cent of the full load capacity of the generators. With the addition of 35 arc lights in the Park this load would rise, to 635 K. W. approximately, or 84.6 per cent of full load. The figures In the column headed "Power Factor" have an Important bearing on the capacity of the generators. When a plant operates at a power factor of unity it will carry a larger load than it will when it operates at a lower power factor. When noly incandescent lamps are in service the powr factor will approximate unity. (It can never be greater than one.) When arc lamps are on, the power factor will fall to a value less than one. The effect of a low power factor is to cause the generators to heat more for a given load than they would on a power factor of unity. Now generators are rated by the makers as having a stated capacity at unity power factor. If operated at a power factor less than one their full load and overload capacity will be less than their rating. These facts are furnished the Committee in order that its members may understand ONE of the reasons why the generators may have shown undue heating on the heavy loads of last win ter. The power factor of the plant Is as- high as could be expected in vNjp of the character of the load. (14) Temperature Conditions. The temperature of the armature windings on the evening of tho 28th was in no case found to be excessive. Benefit will be had from better ventilation in the dynamo room, heretofore mentioned, and on hot, summer evenings from the use of fans blowing directly upon the windings. (15) Business. The commercial load of the plant is rapidly increasing. According to the figures of the superintendent for the last 11 months, the number of meters connected has risen from 1050 to 1414, an Increase of nearly 35 per cent. As the records shown the undersigned extended over a period of only 11 months, it is not possible here to compare the business -of the current year, month by month, with that of the preceedlng year. A comparison of this nature Is necessary in order to determine just what the growth of business has been. The undersigned assumes that the figures showing the output of

the plants are already In the hands of the Committee, and hence, will not dwell further on this point, except to call attention to the possibility that the generated output xt 171,800 K. W. hours recorded last December, will be considerably exceeded In December, 1!06. (16) Recommendations. - In -view of the conditions set forth in the foregoing 15 articles; the undersigned unhesitatingly recommends that if the city of Richmond is to continue the sala of electric light aad

IS SUBMITTED

into the Affairs of the Muni-' is to Increase the Capacity to power to private consumers, immediate steps should be taken. (l).To increase the output capacity of the plant, and (2) to make such improvement in the plant and equipment as shall result in a somewhat more efficient operation with minimized chances of interruption of service. In making these recommendations, the undersigned has in mind not so much the claim that the plant has had difficulty in carrying the "peak" load in the past In his judgement the plant can be made to carry satisfactorily a load equal to any load which has come upon it in the past and, indeed, somewhat more. The recommendations are made, rather, first, be cause the present operating condition are decidedly precarious as regard v the ability to maintain continuity of service, and second, because at the present rate of increase of business it will not be long before the capacity of the plant will be overtaxed. In the writer's judgement a new unit should be installed of capacity such that in connection with the smaller of the present units, all existing demands could be met with a reasonable margin for growth of business. This would afford opportunity to keep the suare unit in first-class working shape and would minimize the danger of a breakdown with all the resulting dissatisfaction and loss of business. (17) Depreciation. It is customary to figure the deprecaition of a plant of this nature at 10 per cent per annum on station apparatus, boilers and engines. On lines, poles, etc., 10 per cent for the first year and 5 per cent thereafter, are common figures. An average of 8 per cent for the whole plant would not be a bad figure. (18) Concerning Municipal Ownership in General. It is probable that the members of the Committee are familiar with the stock arguments for and against municipal ownership. The undersigned will content himself with mentioning a few statements taken from the reports of the Bureau of Commerce of Labor and published in 1902. The total number of light and power plants of the United States at this time was 3,620, of which 815, or about 29 per cent, were municipal and 2S05 private. Of the 815 municipal stations, 671, or 874 per cent, were located in places of 5,000 inhabitants and under. This shows that municipal ownership is most common, if not most successful, in smaller towns and cities. It is undoubtedly true that a municipality must expect that the trouble and amount of attention demanded by municipal ownership will Increase at a higher rate than the population of the city in which the plant is located. Respectfully submitted, C. P. Matthews, Electrical Enginees. May 7th, 1906.

ROOSEVELT AIDS A GAMBLER

Publishers' Press Washington, May 8. President Roosevelt has remitted the $300 fine of Emanuel . Kane, convicted of running a handbook during the recent crusade here. His three months' sentence, with two weeks' commutation for good behavior, expired Saturday. He received a message from the President informing him that the fine had been remitted in order to give him a new start in life," and asking him to call at the White House immediately on his release. The moment Kane was free he went to the White House, and immediately was shown into the President's office. Mr. Roosevelt shook hands with him, and then gave him a severe lecture on the evils of gambling. "Have you a sweetheart?" asked the President. "Yes sir," said Kane. "Well, if you will take my advice you will marry her and lead the simple life," said the President. Kane promised that he would, and said he intended leaving town imfluences which had surrounded him ere he would have none of the influences which hda surrounder him. 1

STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY COMING WINONA MEETING Dr. George H. Grant, of Richmond, is President of the State Organization Dr. F. S. Watson, of Harvard, to Attend Session. The annual meeting of the State Medical Association will take place May 23 to 25 at Winona Lake and a large delegation of Richmond physicians will be in attendance. The program of the meeting will be ready in a few days and will be of more than ordinary Interest. The principal address of the session will be by Dr. F. S. Watson, of Harvard University, one of the best known medical authorities in the country. The Wayne County Medical Society Is splendidly represented on the official board of the State Association. The president is Dr. G. H. Grant, the first vice-president, Dr. David M. Stevenson, and the chairman of the leglatlve committee, Is Dr; John M. Warnpier. In the past Richmond has furnished many presidents and other officials to the state organization. MAILING OUT PROGRAMS. May Musical Festival Literature Being Sent to Many Cities of the Country. About 1500 programs of the Richmond Centenjjial Music Festival will be mailed out this week to all points adjacent to Richmond. The demand for these programs is very great and anyone having friends who might Attend the festival should telephone or mail their list of names with addresses to the Starr Piano Co., 10th and Main Street, as the supply of programs Will ROOX1 h oyhanatoH.

HAS WONDERFUL RANGE.

Miss Munson the Contralto who will Sing at the Richmond Centert-' nial Festival. One of the Eastern critics in writing of the work of Miss Grace Munson who appears with the Theodore Thomas Orchestra as contralto soloist in the Richmond Centennial May Music Festival, states that Miss Munson's contralto is extensive in range and notable for its mellow and smooth quality. She possesses dramatic temperament as well as a fine voice and technical skill and when occasion demand she sings with an intensity of Miss Munson. feeling that quickly communicates itself to the audience. She ennunciates clearly, phrases according to the canons of correct art and eo'ors her work in a manner that gives destinetion. She sings with surpassing sweetness and charm. Miss Munson will sing in quartette work with Mrs. Fish Griffin, Mr. Witherspoon and Mr. Glen Hall in both night concerts and In solo at the afternoon concert of the Richmond Centennial Music Festival. STATE T. P. A. MEETING. Richmond's Post will be Well Represented at th Gathering Next Friday. Thirty or forty members of the Richmond post of T. P. A. and their wives will leave next Friday for Logansport, where the state meeting of the T. P. A. will be held on Friday and Saturday. . It Is anticipated that the Logansport meeting will be one of the most notable yet held by the T. P. A. of Indiana. The people of the "city of bridges", have made special arrangements for the entertainment of their guests and there will be many special features in the entertainment that will be unique. There's nothing bo good for a sore throat as Dr. Thomas Electric Oil. Cures it in a few hours. Relieves any pain In any part. Itch! Itch! Itch! Scratch! Scratch! Scratch! The more you scratch the worse the itch. Try Doan's Ointment It cures piles, eczema, any skin itching. AH druggists sell ti. OOOOOOOOOOO O O o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o OPAL Glass-Lined

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We sell for cash aryl know that you gey better values at cheaper prices than any store In Richmond. Nice, Smooth potatoes per bu 75cts. J Home Grown potatoes, fancy, per bu 85cts. 19 lbs granulatedJ20 lbs A or 21 lbs xc sugar for $1.00. Hood's Leader Ccmee per lb 15ctl 10 lbs Country Beans 25cts. -- Bob White Flor per sack 5$cts. Elkhorn or Pride Richmond60cts, $2.35 cwt , Gold Medal best of SpringWheat 70cts per cwt $2.73. t In Our Dry Goods Department We will sa've you0 per cent on anything you purchase In our line. Our goods are Jhe newest, latest and best you can buy. Store opened Tuesday night until 9 o'clock. Remenber pils Is one more chance to fill your Stamp Books, Pictorial Review Patterns on safe.

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914 MAIN FRIENDS WERE SHOCKED. .Particulars of the Death of Oliver H. Nixon Which Occured at Spiceland. As announced yesterday the death of Oliver H. Nixon of Spiceland occurred very suddenly Monday mornin.g. Richmond relatalves will go to Spiceland , today to attend the funeral. A dispatch giving particulars of the death says: Spiceland people were shocked when it was announced that Oliver H. Nixon had been found dead in his drug store by Frank Crlm, driver of the Standard Oil company's wagon, who called at the drug store to supply the regular amount of oil and gasoline taken by Mr. Nixon each Monday morning. Mr. Crim entered the store but saw no one. He then looked about and beheld the prostrate body of the wellknown proprietor lying behind the counter. At first he did not know what to think of the discovery, but upon a close investigation it was found that Mr. Nixon was dead. Mr. Crim then notified people on the street and a crowd soon collected. Apoplexy was the cause.

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