176 Chicago Bureau of Public Efficiency 



ties of switchboard operators with the duties of operating 

 the steam engines in Humboldt and Douglas Parks this 

 $4,000 annual saving may still be effected. 



4. The number of coal passers at Garfield Park may 

 be reduced so as to save $1,260 annually without dimin- 

 ishing the efficiency. 



5. The heating plants at Lincoln Park are badly ar- 

 ranged, requiring a high-grade of coal and two sets of fire- 

 men. With a properly equipped central heating plant, con- 

 siderable economy might be effected, including the sala- 

 ries of three firemen, which amount to $1,620 per year. 

 With proper coal and ash handling equipment, one opera- 

 tor per watch could take care of the electric substation 

 and steam plant, making possible a further reduction of 

 $1,080 per year. A new building is not needed for a new 

 power plant; only a rearranging of the power and heat 

 developing and mechanical equipment. 



6. With the consolidation of the three Park Boards, 

 a further reduction could be made in the cost of operat- 

 ing the electric and heating plants by consolidating the 

 duties of the chief electrical and steam engineers. This 

 would effect a further reduction in expense of $6,900 per 

 year. 



7. Sheridan Road and the downtown portion of Michi- 

 gan Avenue are now the best-lighted streets in Chicago. 

 The former is under the jurisdiction of the Lincoln Park 

 Board and the latter of the South Park Board. The light- 

 ing of Michigan Avenue has four times the spherical 

 candle power and costs a little less than twice as much 

 as that on Sheridan Road. While the present illumina- 

 tion on Sheridan Road appears adequate for any boule- 

 vard in the city, the additional candle power of Michigan 

 Avenue may be made available at considerably less than 

 that paid by the South Park Board. This may be effected 

 by adopting the Michigan Avenue style of lamps and the 

 Sheridan Road style of posts. 



