St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-01-21
LET THERE Be LIGHT.
PRESIDENT LfYiRGSTG TU8HS A JET
ON The HAYCR'S FIGURES.
PROMISES ARE BROKEN.

The Beacon Company Proposition
More Expensive Than the Pres
ent-It Would Not Light tho
City-St. Paul and MINI capolis
Cost Contrasted-The Mayors
Attempt to Violate the Charter.
To the Editor of the Globe.
regret TO be compelled to resort to
the public press for hearing in the
matter of lighting the city. Before tax
ing action l had the promise of his
honor the mayor that he would give
me notice of the same. This promise he
failed to keep, although had an inter
view with him as late as p. IN. OF the
day upon which hrs communication was
sent 10 the council. This promise was
voluntary on his part and not asked
by me.
The gas company was not represented
at this meeting and had no opportunity
t, present its side of the question. Ia
further apology for this trespasS upon
your space, let me say shat it was not
intended by his honor that the company
should have any knowledge OF his pur-
pose to present Il resolution to the JOINT
committee of the city and county build
ing authorizing the purchase of light
Ing plant for that building until after
the resolution was passed. Hearing OF
the movement in time, five of our
prominent citizens saw the mayor at
noon of the day upon which the meeting
was held and requested him to postpone
Introducing his resolution until the gas
company could prepare a statement of
its case. This was certainly reason
able request and one which any gentle
man desiring fair play would readily
grant. 1t will probably surprise your
readers, as it did these gentlemen, to
learn that the mayor refused the re-
quest.
The communication of the mayor
transmitting the offer of the Beacon
Electric company to the council with
out any explanation conveys the i'm
preston that great saving would be
made 10 the city by him.
This offer, let it be noted. is not to
light The city, but to supply 400 are
lights for 5000, and then at the end of
five years to turn a plant originally
costing 100000 over TO the city free OF
cost Now. assuming the plant to be
worth this sum when first built,
1t is fair to assume that it would
depreciate at least per cent
per year. This would make its value
SO, 600 at the end of FIVE years. What,
thea, would be the cost to the city pei
year of each arc lamp? l shall figure as
much against myself and in favor of the
mayor and his proteges as possible.
1t would cost the city each year S75.-
900, less one-ffth OF that amount, being
net cost of $4,000. II is re ally more
than this.a the city would be losing i'll
terest ion $4,000 for four, three, tWt
and one years; but give the plan thu
benefit of this. Now i'll addition to the
$4,000. as above, add $1,000 per year fol
the interest the city, under our charter,
would have to pay rs IN case some one
else does the street lighting. and you
have the net yearly cost Of lighting the
city, if 400 arc lights Will do it, as pei
the mayors proposition, So, 900. being
S162.50 per year for each light. The
contract for the same service in Mime
apolis is $3.50 per year for each light
From this it will be observed that the
Beacon eompany'S offer is not very
remarkable one, being $3.50 per ligh
higher than is paid for the same service
in Minneapolis.
The price We have received fer The
past teD:years in st. Paul for each 1000
candle power are light, removable at tn,