The Municipal Electric ’ ‘ Works, Worth § 500.”.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PLANT.
In 1892. by reason of dissatisfaction with the
kind of service and rates of the electric com-
pany by which the city was then supplied.
from which there appeared to be no relief.
South Norwalk, following its characteristic
spirit of indepmdence. took the matter in its
own hands and established the first electric
plant under municipal ownership. in the state
of Connecticut. and thus became one of the
pioneer cities of theUnited States to embark
in the business of supplying electriciw for pub-
lice service and later for all commercial pur-
poses.
A SUCCESS FROM THE fifART.
At that early date the conduct of such on»
dertakings by municipalities was looked upon
with misgiving and wise heads were shaken at
the doubtful prospect'ol such a bold venture.
The possibilities of political disruption and
the questionable methods of transacting a pure-
ly commercial business on a stable and perma-
nent basis ”under such a changeable form of
control as has been the general rule under
municipal government. which is of such an
administrative and legislative character as to
be allnost wholly devoid of the elements ne-
cessary to the maintenance of mercantile busi-
ness. argued strongly for unsuccess. This was
the outlook that confronted the South Norwalk
Electric Works as it entered its career. But in
this instance. unlike many others, success
crowned the venture from‘the start, though not
without opposing influences. and soon the
fame of South Norwsllr became known from
I
ocean to ocean as the possessor of one of the
best and most profitable municipal electric
‘ plants in this country ‘
av
FROIi‘A urns scour ., ass? on: f
GROWS.
' EOUTH NORWALK ELECTRIC WORKS, STATE STREET
have steadily increased. Thus by inverse ratio
its debt has been constantly decreasing, and
at the present rate should be entirely paid from
" profits within the next couple of years. unless
the demands force another enlargement in the
meantime. or unforeseen conditions prevent.
AN ELECTRIC SERVICE No'r DANGER-
ous TO LIFE. ‘
The service supplied. except for street light-
ing. which is high tension and entirely inde-
pendent of the commercial service. is by the
direct current two-wire system at one volts
working pressure. which was selected as be-
ing not only readily adaptable for both light-
ing and power served from the same mains.
but what is vitally important. is free from dan-
ger to life and also the simplest and most
economic form to operate in a condensed terri—
tory such as South Norwalk affords within its
compact area. This class of electric service.
however. is not original to this city as direct
current distribution prevaili in the largest
cities of this country and Europe. but is sel-
dom obtainable in places oi this sire. thereby
giving South Norwalk ‘uhusual advantages in
this respect. Its system of two-wire distribu-
tion is also designed so that it may be con-
verted to the three—wire Ito-volt
should local conditions ever we
change, which may never encumbe- flany II...
tric plants mtbiseewafllbe great In»
jority of those abroad have adopted a similar
voltage to that of South Norwalk.
The electric generators are driven by both
steam and Diesel oil engines. this being the
'firstelectrlcplsntinthlsmtetoadoptthe
latter type of high economy engines.
cinemat- mainstream siwnu IN
' STREET LIGHTING.
Aside [root the piollts of the commercial
I
man. this Guest lighting service alone liar
dlsntheorlglnal cost or
" the Ilium. Willem-
street lighting,
bet for a three-year term. These commission-
ers who serve entirely without compensation
of any kind—unless generous kicks from
thoughtless persons may be so considered——
organise as a board with a president. treasur-
er and secretary, having full charge of the
plant. the city's fire alarm system. its police
telegraph service and supervision over other
electrical matters in the city’s interest. As
their representative and supervisor oi manage-
ment and operation of the plant and its ad-
juncts, they appoint a general superintendent.
During the nearly nineteen years' history of
the plant, there have been only seven changes
on the electrical board. three by resignation. »
one by death and three following a change in
the city charter.
COMMISSIONERS' ENVIABLE RECORD.
The present commissioners are Frederick
Hunkemeier. president: Thomas Robins, trea.
surer, and John R. Spencer. secretary. all is-
miliar with mechanics and of proven practical
business ability. The present general super-
intendent. Albert E. Winchester. a former
member of the Edison engineering stall. exper-
ienced in central station building. was the de-
signer and original organiser of the plant who.
upon his selection for such responsibility. vol-
untarily gave his services without charge.
though. unexpectedly. when his work wash!»
ished. as he thought. he was presented with a
generous token, not as compensation. but of
the city’ I appreciation. He then became one
of the plant‘ s earliest commissioners, but after
'having served in thimpscity {or nearly ten
years. and a large pawn! this time as general
superintendent also. taking so much of his
time that he had to give up his other business
and life opportunities to guard the struggling
little municipal enterprise. He resigned from
the position of commissioner to give his whole
time to that of general superintendmt. Thus
he has been constantly connected with the
plant since its earliest projection. In bringing
the plant solely through its early struggles
and establishing it on a firm. prosperous basis.
the [armor commissioners deserve the blissst
commendation for their careful judgnIent.tlIsir
remarkable foresight and earnestness of put.
pm. which has produced such great results.
But no less honor is due the present board in
having so Qifididly negotiated and completud
the plantshstnllsrgementataeost 01th
830.000. all of which they have provided for
from the plant'snet profits of 19m and pm of
those of!!!“ decal ”claim adding
one cent wfieMfi debt. but upon which
theyalsopsldfiflndlceenmtldrot‘.
scammed mammoth-audios
uses. Di abandoned the.gss'tendpresmt
Wm have just res-an tor lasting
Mlorthecltylscauialypeosdoiiesnd
1 of them.
sunrises-r macaw neuronal). ‘ ‘
a
the plant is doing. the following deductions
have been transcribed from its annual report
of 19Io. exclusive of the last enlargement.
which was not then completed:
Net income for the year .. . $64,766.59
Total cost of operation. including
repairs. fuel, insurance. salaries. in-
terest, supplies. etc. ........ . . 38,327.27
Gross profit . . . . . . . . .- ......... $26,439.32
DEPRECIATXON PROVIDED FOR.
With the purpose of taking care of deprecia—
tion in a practical and economic manner, the
surplus earnings have been used to both reduce
the debt and for reinvestment in extensions
and betterlnents of the plant. thereby con-
stsntly lowering the interest charges and pre-
paring for business expansion. 'Bbusithe gebss
profit. of 1910 was applied as follows: ,.
To reduction of debt . . . . .‘. . . . . . .3 "7.606200
For new construction ..... ... . . ., ' 2314ch
Applied to the 19m enlargement... . Ia.rag.33
Balance to be applied on the enlarge-
ment. to be added to earnings of
I91: for such purpose ........... 4,995.78
Gross profit ..... . ...... . ....... $26,439.32
The depreciation. therefore. taken as high
as ten per cent. on that part of the investment
represented by stx.683.ot, being the assets.
exclusive of cash on hand. accounts receiv-
able. supplies and legal expense. according to
the Igro report. which doés not include the
then unfinished enlargement, will be $15.-
I68.3o. leaving a net profit of $11,271.02.
COMPARISON 0N PRIVATE OWNER-
SHIP‘ BASIS.
Taking the net profit as last stated and de-
ducting therefrom the combined state. town.
city and school taxes. amounting to 39% mills
on the list of I909. on a taxable valuation of
about .9].ng at the ratio of 60% of
the above 315t,683.ot valuation—which under
private ownership would probably be the max--
imum amounted whicha tax assessment
would be paid. the amount of taxes would.
there'loi’flt be 8,115.69 which would still leave
I act PM of Mrs 33
This dual net profit would yield a dividend
clover sill“? per cent. for the year—in addition
to the bore.” paid out in him—on the
totallnveatmentorcwitallntionoidiegmd'
total of assets to the amount oi 3157.329. or,
as stated in the mm the deductionlior
cash onhmdsnd ml; accounts 11¢!an
I
cw ,
I“,
supplies, etc. It is quite probable, War
that under private ownership, the stockho ,
would feel jittlti‘lied in considerably Inc ,. . _
the capitalization. cutting down the ratio i '
depreciation and issuing at lease dado, ‘
worth of bonds at five per cent, accordi‘n
the usual custom with undertakings of
character. ‘»
will}
titular WORTH $500,000.
Thus at of.” “ commercial rating, based ’ ”
its present ' erity and promising o
if consider. “ a privately owned‘Zpubfip lltfln
ity corporation..it is readily apparent that
“South Norwallr. electric works would com ‘
a market value oi at least $500,000, i
as an amount” representing more than
ble the investment then In the plant. as will.
remembered, was offered to the city for
purchase. some. years ago, but was not?
sidered. though the plant was much smulluli
then than now and its future much less it " 1
I.
commands DEMAND son THE
VICE.
‘.r:5~';é;.;st
These factseasily explain why South‘ll‘
walk has more street lighting per cap'
any other’lmown city approaching its
why it has a larger rated capacity In '
motors connected to its lines than cilia
timesitsslae, aswell asalargerrati‘oo’f
mercial lighting per capita. Notwin
~ this . the demand lot the service ,
rapidly and the field for further - '
cannot be estimated. The homes of
to-do and the humble both glow with tho
light. its stores are brilliantly lighted
many factories burn with its electric
all because the city wisely provided ,
need of its people most happily and ; V
ically before it was too late.
Though the citizens. who have watched
institution oi their own grow beyond 9 '
pectatlonslare proud of it, its service is
preiatedbyitoonesowellasbyfie
corner, whp marvels at its cheapness _
cellence. in comparison with that with w
he has been accustomed elsewhere.
.4. I .~
see-4...:
SOUTH NORWALK'S SPLENDID I I
m is."
Just such facts as these help to tell the
of South Norwalk's splendid gain in . ‘ “
ouernodemiaetoriemiesgrowinggreaussflv
pelltleswl
.1 313 .
Norwalk Chronicler