WAUPACA RECORD LEADER

July 13, 1916

 

TROUBLE OVER ELECTRIC POWER IN THIS CITY

 

Notice Is Served On All Users of City Water

That Supply Will Be Cut Off

Their Plans Change

           

            Last Monday a notice was served upon all residents who use city water that no water could be used upon the lawns or gardens and as little as possible in the house.  The groan of dissatisfaction which swept over the city will long be remembered.  The question most commonly asked was - “Why was not this done when we did not want the water quite so badly.”  The The public had a chance to cool down a bit when a second notice was served that the water supply would not be shut off, but that its use on lawns must be confined to the usual hours and that in case this was not strictly adhered to, the supply would be cut off.

            This change of plans by the city council was due to a disagreement which it has had with the manager, Mr. Lord, of the electric light company.  It seems that he city expected to pay 5 cents per kilowatt hour and that Mr. Lord wanted 7 cents for current used to pump the city water, while the much needed repairs were to be made at the city power station.

            We have interviewed Mr. Lord and the following is his statement regarding the matter:

            “The city council and Waupaca Electric Light & Ry. Co., seem to be unable to see things in the same light in regard to the price of power which the city should pay the electric company for pumping water during the repairs on the city’s water wheel, which are soon to be made.  It appears that for some time there has been an arrangement by which the city and the local public service company have exchanged power.  The city has been charging the company 10 cents per kilowatt hour and the company has been making the same charge to the city. Recently the company used the city’s power in operating one of its cars and the city made out a bill charging 22 cents per kilowatt hour.  The company objected and a conference was had between Mr. Lord for the company and S.W. Johnson, chairman of the Board of Public Works, and it was agreed that 5 cents should be the charge hereafter. Now comes the city council and wishes to have the local company furnish power at that rate during such hours as it is necessary to operate by steam.  The electric company offers to furnish such power as the city needs at 5 cents per kilowatt hour during such hours as they use water power to generate electricity, but claim that during such hours as it is necessary to use coal, that the expense is very much greater, and that 7 cents per kilowatt hour is a very low price during that period.  It will be remembered that the city furnishes electric current by water power only, and that electric company is obliged to use steam when the demand load is greater than the water power can take care of.”