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<8ato afioc(aiwij&o&s VOL. VI. NO. 20 PALO ALTO, CAL., FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1899. WHOLE NO. 150 COMMUNICATION. Mr. Lewis Discusses ihe Problem of Munici- pal Lighting. To tbe Editor of tho Live Oak. Sill:—Will you kindly permit me through tho columns of -your paper-to speak of tint electric light proposition ot this town. Everyone roull_08 thut electric lights are something of a luxury and that iu no town do a majority of tho people use it. Tho initial cost of wiring u house and paying for a meter is prohibitive to many, and, of course, tho regular expense for current Is greater than for korosoue, when labor Is not considered. Therefore to employ town funds for constructing and running un electric light plant miy lie a very different thing from spending thut money on streets, water works, schools and such improvements us ull sluire In, With our tuxes ulreudy high wo are attempting to put In an .leu.ri. plunt which roulil not possibly pay, uud which for years will be only u burden to tax payors uud renters. So far ss I cue lourn, Pnlo Alto will be the smull- est town in the United States attempt - ing to furnish its own electricity by steam. The experience of Suntu Clara Li constantly cited by the advocates of our local plants, and I propose to examine the statements In the recently published reports of Suntu Clara uud apply the results to our own town. Santa Clara has Its own water works and an electric lighting plunt—both models of their kind—und operates thuiii as far as possible as one plant. Two men, termed an engineer and electrician, operate the joiut plunt by dividing the time und labor between them, one usually running in the duy time, the other at night. The total expense for operating lust year was $.—15.78. This was divided somewhat arbitrarily in tho annual report Into KI3-3.1I for the water works und $1802.62 for the electric lights. I suy arbitrarily, liecnuso the accounts huve not boon kept separately: and the figures show a tendency to minimize the cost of the lights at the expense of the water, thus making the cost of the water high when compared with the results in Palo Alto and Redwood. But accepting these figures exactly as tbey stand, we find the operating expense of the 4(1 afe lights was * 18ti_.ii_ a year. This,however,included nothing for Interest, depreciation, taxes or collecting (there was'no ooi-inerciul lighting), and no oharge is made for wuter. The lights burn a total of ■ 14_ hours during the year, or an average of 3 hours and 6 minutes a day, which is much less than moonlight schedule. It appears that this proved unsatisfactory, for the President of tho Board of Trustees recommends In his report that this be increased to what he culls "the moonlight cloudless schedule " As it waa, tho average monthly cost for operating each arc light was $3.37 for the three hours sorvlce. We must remember also that this rate for operating is for direct current system, and thut incandescent lighting Is more expenslvo. In order to make these figures apply to Palo Alto, we must add 33. percent to the cost ef fuel, for slabs cost $2.40 a cord in SantaClara delivered and. I be- lieve, $3.20 here. Next we must add the wages of un electrician. In a report made by M r. C. E. Moore to a special committee appointed to Investigate the cost of Installing an incandescent lighting system In Santa Clara, It is stated that to their present cost for labor must be added the salary of an addi- tioiml electrician, which is placed at $85 per month. The same would. be necessary hero. In order to ascertain the cost of lights for the usual 8 hour service from sundown to midnight.' wo have below increased the estimate on certain charges'as fuel, oil aud such Incidentals as are doubled by running double the time, and huve allowed other charges to remain the same. These figures are much below the estimates given tn the above mentioned report. To the operating expenses wo have added 15 per cent of the original Investment ($12,000) for interest, depreciation and tuxes, an unusually low rate, together with $20 u mouth for bookkeeping and collecting, und $±5(1 per mouth Tor water. Operating ex|iense,3 hrservice$1882 82 Fuel for additional service 504 30 Extra cost of fuel in Palo Alto 330 20 Electrician at $85 per mouth 1020 00 Extra oil and supplies - 177 27 Int., depreciation und taxes 1800 00 Water for boiler - - 30 00 Collecting und bookkeeping 240 00 Total cost for (I hour service $51(50 30 At. monthly cost 48 urcs $4'.>5 811 " . " " each are 10 88 " •* " each It, e p.lamp I 19 Cost ot each light until 10:30 89} Thus using the rates for operating in Santa Clara, with" very conservative estimates for interest, depreciation, taxes, collecting, etc.., the actual cost of four hundred and fourteen 18 c. p. lights running until midnight would lie $1.19 each and those running until 10:30 would be .891 each. Were tbe business to increase to such un extent that there wero an average of 828 lights running continuously the cost of each one would be 81 cents a month 6 hr. service. Hut 414 lights running continuously represents the average use of about 1000 lamps—all that I _lo Alto/Hi likely to have for some time, uud more If the customers are charged the actual cost for tho lights. We could show, If space would permit, that these estimates are lower than will actually be attained, and wo ask the reader to preserve these figures for future comparison. Tho question was recently raised In SantaClara with its 30110 inhabitants whether or not It would be advisable tu install an incandescent lighting system, and a s|>ccial committer.appointed to investigate the subject, reported that it would not pay. Tho town will soon vote on the question of municipal gas.and it is expected by men prominent iu municipal affairs that the gas will lie introduced and thu present electric plant closed dowu. I called your attention somo time ago to the fact that in the municipal plant of Alameda the arc lamps cost nearly $7.50 per month moonlight schedule. At present there Is an active campaign In favor of the plan of returning to private ownership. Thu town has applied to the Standard Electric Company for current. A recent investigation into the cost of lighting Redwood shows that the 30 arc lights cost the town last year NORMS H. SMITH. Sudden Death of a Pioneer In Palo Alto. Wednesday morning at nine o'clock while helping lay a sidewalk on Lytton avenue Norris ti. Smith dropped dead of heart failure, peceased was a California pioneer of 1849, living for many years in Siskiyou county where be was a member of tbe board of supervisors. lie came to Palo Alto two sears ago and built a residence on Lytton avenue and Marguerite street and became a director In the Palo Alto Mutual Building and Loan Association. Rev. D..Charles Gardner conducted the funeral rites of the Episcopal church at tho residence yesterday and this morning the remains were taken to Woodbridge near Stockton for burial. Norris Smith endeared himself to all his acquaintances by his kindly nature and noble qualities and their sympathies are extended to the widow in her bereavement. August Library Report. The following is the monthly financial statement of tho Palo Alto Free Public Library: RECEIPTS. Cash on hand - - $11 31 Woman's ('lull - - 5 00 Monthly subscriptions - 23 110 Subscriptions puid - - 15 00 Fines, etc. - - ' - 2 95 Total EXPENDITURES. Rent Librarian Janitor ... Incidental exiioiises Electric light Cards - New books $59 28 $19 00 18 00 3 00 1 45 2 50 1 'XI 3 15 Total • - - $48 10 Cash on hand - • $9 Hi Numlier ol books issued • 795 Number of cards iu force Aug. 31 411 Jane A. Denton. the sale of real estate heretofore authorized until the question of bis removal is determined in court. Tbe petition alleges conspiracy on the part of the guardian to defraud the estate of bis ward, which consist* of lots 33 and 34 of block 4 In Palo Alto' occupied by tbe Parkinson Lumber A Hardware Co. The petitioners recite that on No-,— vember 15, 1893, six months before she was adjudged Insane, Rose DeCourcy mortgaged the property referred to, to B. Parkinson for $400 payable three years from date at 10 per cent interest and on the same day leased tbe property to the Parkinson Lumber A Hardware Co. for three years, at a rental of $40 a year to be applied in payment of interest on the B. Parkinson note; in tho lease it was stipulated tbat if the lessor did not pay the note at maturity, the lessee was to have an option of an extension of tbe same for three year- more at the same rate. Tbat thereafter Greer in dereliction of his duties as guardian and in mismanagement of* the estate neglected to pay off the mortgage and tbe lumber company secured a three years extension of the lease at $40 a year, when the reasonable rental value was $240 a year. It is further alleged that on June 30, 1899, he petitioned tbe Superior Court for an order to sell the property, procuring the publication of the notice of application to sell in a San Jose paper so that it might escape their observation and thus prevent their opposition to sell. That he stated the value of the pro|ierty to be $1400 wbeu he well knew it to be worth $2500 and that told been appraised at that amount. They state Dually that he has railed in his duties in all respects to tbe injury of his ward's estate and'tbat be bas proven himself unsuitable to manage tbe same. They pray for bis removal and for tbe appointment of Julia Ramos in his stead. The Library. (Continue--. KK-iuii Pago). It is gratifying to note tbe Interest that is being taken in the public library and active work baa been commenced already toward putting it on a firmer basis and increasing its usefulness. The library has found a new friend and worker in tho person of Professor Mary Roberts Smith, who may be depended upon to lend a helping hand wherever it is needful for tbe success of enterprises depending upon public spirit. She has arranged to give a benefit song recital on the campus early in November. The town trustees have premised to conti ibute not less than $10 u month from tbe town funds and more if it can be spared. They will also give free lights when the electric light plunt is finished. Serious Charges. Bus.n1 upon the petition of Francisca (.ueviedo, the mother, and Julia Ramus the sister of Rose DeCourcy, filed by their attorney G. G. Wigie, Judge Hyluud lust Friday made an order directing Robert L. Greer to appear _e- fore him on September 15, at 10 a. in., to show cause why he should not be removed from tbe guardianship of tbe person and estate of the said Rose DeCourcy, an Insane person. He is also Instructed not to accept any bids for a well We have receive- a letter from a correspondent in Palo Alto, who requests that without mentioning his name, "we correct an error in regard to young Crittenden, in last week's paper. He says that Crittenden's parents do not live near West Side and his sister is not a teacher in the suntu Clara high school. The Live Oak did not make either of these statements, but what it did say was based upon Crittenden's sworn testimony and also tbe statements of a very prominent Santa Clara man. Should the correspondent be right in his facts, the yoeng man's parents died when he was a child, and the people .referred to as bis relatives are simply people who have befriended him. Castilleja Hall opened for the full semester last Monday with a fair attendance. Mrs. A. L. Peck is principal and teachur of history and English; Miss E. G. Hill, Latin and Greek; Miss Florence Dunbar, French; Miss I. I.. Peck, German; Miss Harlean James, mathematics. Miss Annabel Skinner, gymnastics. Don J. Campbell one of Palo Alto's volunteer soldiers who latetv returned from tbe Philippines, came down yesterday afternoon and will remain until Sunday. He expects to be musterea: out ou tbe twenty-first. The fire lade will give bim a reception and banquet.
Object Description
Rating | |
Title | Palo Alto Live Oak 1899 September 8 |
Date of Publication | 1899-09-08 |
Volume | 6 |
Issue | 20 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Subject | Community newspapers; |
Place of Publication | Palo Alto, Calif. |
Publisher | Frank Kasson, Frances A. Kasson |
Frequency | Weekly |
Source | Microfilm collection in Rinconada Library |
Coverage | Palo Alto, Calif. |
Rights | Material in the public domain. No restrictions on use. |
Publication Title | Palo Alto Live Oak |
Description
Title | 1 |
Transcript | <8ato afioc(aiwij&o&s VOL. VI. NO. 20 PALO ALTO, CAL., FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1899. WHOLE NO. 150 COMMUNICATION. Mr. Lewis Discusses ihe Problem of Munici- pal Lighting. To tbe Editor of tho Live Oak. Sill:—Will you kindly permit me through tho columns of -your paper-to speak of tint electric light proposition ot this town. Everyone roull_08 thut electric lights are something of a luxury and that iu no town do a majority of tho people use it. Tho initial cost of wiring u house and paying for a meter is prohibitive to many, and, of course, tho regular expense for current Is greater than for korosoue, when labor Is not considered. Therefore to employ town funds for constructing and running un electric light plant miy lie a very different thing from spending thut money on streets, water works, schools and such improvements us ull sluire In, With our tuxes ulreudy high wo are attempting to put In an .leu.ri. plunt which roulil not possibly pay, uud which for years will be only u burden to tax payors uud renters. So far ss I cue lourn, Pnlo Alto will be the smull- est town in the United States attempt - ing to furnish its own electricity by steam. The experience of Suntu Clara Li constantly cited by the advocates of our local plants, and I propose to examine the statements In the recently published reports of Suntu Clara uud apply the results to our own town. Santa Clara has Its own water works and an electric lighting plunt—both models of their kind—und operates thuiii as far as possible as one plant. Two men, termed an engineer and electrician, operate the joiut plunt by dividing the time und labor between them, one usually running in the duy time, the other at night. The total expense for operating lust year was $.—15.78. This was divided somewhat arbitrarily in tho annual report Into KI3-3.1I for the water works und $1802.62 for the electric lights. I suy arbitrarily, liecnuso the accounts huve not boon kept separately: and the figures show a tendency to minimize the cost of the lights at the expense of the water, thus making the cost of the water high when compared with the results in Palo Alto and Redwood. But accepting these figures exactly as tbey stand, we find the operating expense of the 4(1 afe lights was * 18ti_.ii_ a year. This,however,included nothing for Interest, depreciation, taxes or collecting (there was'no ooi-inerciul lighting), and no oharge is made for wuter. The lights burn a total of ■ 14_ hours during the year, or an average of 3 hours and 6 minutes a day, which is much less than moonlight schedule. It appears that this proved unsatisfactory, for the President of tho Board of Trustees recommends In his report that this be increased to what he culls "the moonlight cloudless schedule " As it waa, tho average monthly cost for operating each arc light was $3.37 for the three hours sorvlce. We must remember also that this rate for operating is for direct current system, and thut incandescent lighting Is more expenslvo. In order to make these figures apply to Palo Alto, we must add 33. percent to the cost ef fuel, for slabs cost $2.40 a cord in SantaClara delivered and. I be- lieve, $3.20 here. Next we must add the wages of un electrician. In a report made by M r. C. E. Moore to a special committee appointed to Investigate the cost of Installing an incandescent lighting system In Santa Clara, It is stated that to their present cost for labor must be added the salary of an addi- tioiml electrician, which is placed at $85 per month. The same would. be necessary hero. In order to ascertain the cost of lights for the usual 8 hour service from sundown to midnight.' wo have below increased the estimate on certain charges'as fuel, oil aud such Incidentals as are doubled by running double the time, and huve allowed other charges to remain the same. These figures are much below the estimates given tn the above mentioned report. To the operating expenses wo have added 15 per cent of the original Investment ($12,000) for interest, depreciation and tuxes, an unusually low rate, together with $20 u mouth for bookkeeping and collecting, und $±5(1 per mouth Tor water. Operating ex|iense,3 hrservice$1882 82 Fuel for additional service 504 30 Extra cost of fuel in Palo Alto 330 20 Electrician at $85 per mouth 1020 00 Extra oil and supplies - 177 27 Int., depreciation und taxes 1800 00 Water for boiler - - 30 00 Collecting und bookkeeping 240 00 Total cost for (I hour service $51(50 30 At. monthly cost 48 urcs $4'.>5 811 " . " " each are 10 88 " •* " each It, e p.lamp I 19 Cost ot each light until 10:30 89} Thus using the rates for operating in Santa Clara, with" very conservative estimates for interest, depreciation, taxes, collecting, etc.., the actual cost of four hundred and fourteen 18 c. p. lights running until midnight would lie $1.19 each and those running until 10:30 would be .891 each. Were tbe business to increase to such un extent that there wero an average of 828 lights running continuously the cost of each one would be 81 cents a month 6 hr. service. Hut 414 lights running continuously represents the average use of about 1000 lamps—all that I _lo Alto/Hi likely to have for some time, uud more If the customers are charged the actual cost for tho lights. We could show, If space would permit, that these estimates are lower than will actually be attained, and wo ask the reader to preserve these figures for future comparison. Tho question was recently raised In SantaClara with its 30110 inhabitants whether or not It would be advisable tu install an incandescent lighting system, and a s|>ccial committer.appointed to investigate the subject, reported that it would not pay. Tho town will soon vote on the question of municipal gas.and it is expected by men prominent iu municipal affairs that the gas will lie introduced and thu present electric plant closed dowu. I called your attention somo time ago to the fact that in the municipal plant of Alameda the arc lamps cost nearly $7.50 per month moonlight schedule. At present there Is an active campaign In favor of the plan of returning to private ownership. Thu town has applied to the Standard Electric Company for current. A recent investigation into the cost of lighting Redwood shows that the 30 arc lights cost the town last year NORMS H. SMITH. Sudden Death of a Pioneer In Palo Alto. Wednesday morning at nine o'clock while helping lay a sidewalk on Lytton avenue Norris ti. Smith dropped dead of heart failure, peceased was a California pioneer of 1849, living for many years in Siskiyou county where be was a member of tbe board of supervisors. lie came to Palo Alto two sears ago and built a residence on Lytton avenue and Marguerite street and became a director In the Palo Alto Mutual Building and Loan Association. Rev. D..Charles Gardner conducted the funeral rites of the Episcopal church at tho residence yesterday and this morning the remains were taken to Woodbridge near Stockton for burial. Norris Smith endeared himself to all his acquaintances by his kindly nature and noble qualities and their sympathies are extended to the widow in her bereavement. August Library Report. The following is the monthly financial statement of tho Palo Alto Free Public Library: RECEIPTS. Cash on hand - - $11 31 Woman's ('lull - - 5 00 Monthly subscriptions - 23 110 Subscriptions puid - - 15 00 Fines, etc. - - ' - 2 95 Total EXPENDITURES. Rent Librarian Janitor ... Incidental exiioiises Electric light Cards - New books $59 28 $19 00 18 00 3 00 1 45 2 50 1 'XI 3 15 Total • - - $48 10 Cash on hand - • $9 Hi Numlier ol books issued • 795 Number of cards iu force Aug. 31 411 Jane A. Denton. the sale of real estate heretofore authorized until the question of bis removal is determined in court. Tbe petition alleges conspiracy on the part of the guardian to defraud the estate of bis ward, which consist* of lots 33 and 34 of block 4 In Palo Alto' occupied by tbe Parkinson Lumber A Hardware Co. The petitioners recite that on No-,— vember 15, 1893, six months before she was adjudged Insane, Rose DeCourcy mortgaged the property referred to, to B. Parkinson for $400 payable three years from date at 10 per cent interest and on the same day leased tbe property to the Parkinson Lumber A Hardware Co. for three years, at a rental of $40 a year to be applied in payment of interest on the B. Parkinson note; in tho lease it was stipulated tbat if the lessor did not pay the note at maturity, the lessee was to have an option of an extension of tbe same for three year- more at the same rate. Tbat thereafter Greer in dereliction of his duties as guardian and in mismanagement of* the estate neglected to pay off the mortgage and tbe lumber company secured a three years extension of the lease at $40 a year, when the reasonable rental value was $240 a year. It is further alleged that on June 30, 1899, he petitioned tbe Superior Court for an order to sell the property, procuring the publication of the notice of application to sell in a San Jose paper so that it might escape their observation and thus prevent their opposition to sell. That he stated the value of the pro|ierty to be $1400 wbeu he well knew it to be worth $2500 and that told been appraised at that amount. They state Dually that he has railed in his duties in all respects to tbe injury of his ward's estate and'tbat be bas proven himself unsuitable to manage tbe same. They pray for bis removal and for tbe appointment of Julia Ramos in his stead. The Library. (Continue--. KK-iuii Pago). It is gratifying to note tbe Interest that is being taken in the public library and active work baa been commenced already toward putting it on a firmer basis and increasing its usefulness. The library has found a new friend and worker in tho person of Professor Mary Roberts Smith, who may be depended upon to lend a helping hand wherever it is needful for tbe success of enterprises depending upon public spirit. She has arranged to give a benefit song recital on the campus early in November. The town trustees have premised to conti ibute not less than $10 u month from tbe town funds and more if it can be spared. They will also give free lights when the electric light plunt is finished. Serious Charges. Bus.n1 upon the petition of Francisca (.ueviedo, the mother, and Julia Ramus the sister of Rose DeCourcy, filed by their attorney G. G. Wigie, Judge Hyluud lust Friday made an order directing Robert L. Greer to appear _e- fore him on September 15, at 10 a. in., to show cause why he should not be removed from tbe guardianship of tbe person and estate of the said Rose DeCourcy, an Insane person. He is also Instructed not to accept any bids for a well We have receive- a letter from a correspondent in Palo Alto, who requests that without mentioning his name, "we correct an error in regard to young Crittenden, in last week's paper. He says that Crittenden's parents do not live near West Side and his sister is not a teacher in the suntu Clara high school. The Live Oak did not make either of these statements, but what it did say was based upon Crittenden's sworn testimony and also tbe statements of a very prominent Santa Clara man. Should the correspondent be right in his facts, the yoeng man's parents died when he was a child, and the people .referred to as bis relatives are simply people who have befriended him. Castilleja Hall opened for the full semester last Monday with a fair attendance. Mrs. A. L. Peck is principal and teachur of history and English; Miss E. G. Hill, Latin and Greek; Miss Florence Dunbar, French; Miss I. I.. Peck, German; Miss Harlean James, mathematics. Miss Annabel Skinner, gymnastics. Don J. Campbell one of Palo Alto's volunteer soldiers who latetv returned from tbe Philippines, came down yesterday afternoon and will remain until Sunday. He expects to be musterea: out ou tbe twenty-first. The fire lade will give bim a reception and banquet. |
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