The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1895-07-12

Two offers had been previously re-
ceived, one of $3.50 foot from M. L.
Brandt, and one for S2.10 from a Min
neapolis party. 1t was recommended
that the board of public works and the
water committee be authorized to To-
cate the well and have it dug.
The council voted to refer the mat
ter as recommended, to be reported on
next Saturday night upon location
and bids.
The report of the chief of police for
June showed thirty-one arrests and
six dodgers.
The report of the clerk of the
municipal court for June showed SS4.65
receipts.
Board of Public Works Reports.
The board of public works reported
favorably upon new stone culvert
over Warren creek on Minnesota
street, at cost of $500.
L.. NJ. Fletcher said that it looked
like throwing away money to do this,
as the Omaha railroad will not want
the creek there if it's change of loca-
tion is made. He said that he had a
right to dam the creek up to the
natural surface on his ground, and
turn it into the culvert, as it had
been pushed over on him.
The report was laid on the table, as
the proposed move of the Omaha road
might change the whole matter.
The board of public works reported
upon the West Front street improve
ment, from Hubbell avenue to the
Blue Earth river bridge, that it was
probably necessary. The lots lie so
that little could be realized on assess
ments. The cost would be about
ST, 100.
On motion of Aid. Andrews, the
matter was laid on the table.
The board of public works reported
the award of the Hickory street
matchmaking contract to 7. r.
Coughlan for 81, 1888.
A. G.. Meyer opposed the special
grade made on the street year ago at
the request of A. M. Smith.
The change of profile last year was
rescinded.
On motion of Aid. Andrews, the bid
was rejected, and the matter was re-
ferred back to the board of public
works to revise the specifications.
The board of public works reported
the award of the contract for grading
the alley in blocks 10 and 16 to VIM.
Jones for $40, and the contract was
approved.
The board of public works reported
the award of the contract for 5000
yards of crushed stone to T. r. Cough
Ian, at 80 cents at the quarry and ST. 5
on the street, per cubic yard.
Aid. Bradley moved that the con-
tract be rejected and that the board
of public works re-advertise for bids.
This was carried.
The board of public works reported
that it had rejected the bid for the
Cherry street sewer and re-advertised
for bids.
The board of public works reported
the award of the Clark street grading
contract to Hurd, Bowen & Gill. The
contract was approved.
Mr.. Donaldson, of the ID. & D..
Electric Light Co., of Minneapolis,
was surprised at the criticisms that
less than $4,000 was too small sum
to put into a city lighting plant.
Criticisms were generally the other
way.
rlr. DOnaldson's Proposition.
Mr. Donaldson continued, saying
that he wished to submit another
proposition to the city, which would
show his sincerity in the first state
ment. He would put in plant to
supply 100 arc lights of 1000 candle
power, using the pumping station and
city boiler, and putting in a 100 horse
power engine and dynamo, place all
poles, lines, wire, ETC., and furnish and
set up the plant. He would furnish
light to the city with this plant for
two years at the same rate per light
which the present company is re-
ceiving for its 1000 candle power arc
lights, S115 year each. The city is
to furnish all fuel, oil, ETC., engineer,
and all that is required to look after
and operate the system within the
pumping station, while he will keep
the lamps and wire in repair. The
city is to pay all rents of room. At
the end of two years the company
will give the city bill of sale Of the
plant, and the company will give
good and sufficient bond to carry out
the conditions of the proposition.
In answer to inquiries, Mr.. Donald
son stated that he had put in from 20
to % plants in as many cities, and
gave several instances, among others
being contract in St. Paul for 1000
lights, a 40 to 60 arc light plant at
a l5 to 20 arc light plant in
Crystal, n. ID. He said that he was
formerly with the United States
Electric Light Co., and for five years
was superintendent and general man
ager Of the ST. Paul Gaslight Go.
He had been in business thirteen
years and manufactures machinery
and dynamos.
He said that 30-foot cedar poles
would cost Sl.S5 each on the cars in
and 45-foot poles to be
used where the wires cross other
wires cost 1925 each. His plant
would supply mild current of 22O
volts, which would be harmless to
all. A ten foot space in the pumping
station would be sufficient. His en-
CINE would be a frst-claSs one, but
not compound, which he did not con-
slider to be economical here. A con-
densing engine would cost 81, 900 in
addition to the estimate. The plant
would be warranted for one year, and
the dynamo against defects due to
poor material or workmanship as long
a time as asked for. Good lamps and
wire are used. The figures had been
based on twenty miles of wire, while
Aid. Zimmerman said that the
present company uses seventeen miles
of wire to do the city lighting. The
of running the plant with2, 600
n "a or ! rl,f, L