Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1897-04-30
YANKT0N ASYLUM COAL.

YANKT0N ASYLUM COAL.
The Republican newspapers have af-
fected great desire to learn what respon-
sible man had the temerity to offer to fur
nish the fuel for the insane hospital at
Yankton for two years for the appropria-
tion passed for one year. s. E. Brookman
OF Vermillion, came into the Press Office
yesterday morning and stated that he is
the individual of whom there has been so
much inquiry.
Mr.. Brookman is apparently sane
man; strange as it may seem. he has the
reputation of being good business man.
1t is also worth mentioning to the state
that he is engaged in the milling and
electric light business at Vermillion
and has had considerable experience with
boilers and the purchase of coal. Taken
altogether it is not rash to assume that he
knows quite as much about such matters
as the editors of the Repu blican newspa-
pers whose knowledge of such matters is
usually confined to furnishing coal for an
office stove.
To the Press Mr.. Brookman said: II
see that some of the newspapers are wor-
rying because Governor Lee has not given
the name Of the individual who would
agree to give bond to furnish fuel for the
asylum at Yankton two years for the ap-
for one year. want to say
that am the man referred to and am
ready to give an ironclad bond for the
performance of that contract whenever an
opportunity IS given me. am not actu-
ated by any cause other than desire to
make good deal when sec it. I made
the statement to Governor Lee because
want the contract and because l know
that the state has been abused heretofore
by enormously wasteful expenditures.
Before making my offer learned from
the asylum authorities that the number Of
boilers used and their capacity, and the
number Of hours they are kept going. l
made liberal allowance for wood and for
all incidental expenses. then sent the
data to Prof. So'berg of Brookings college
with the request that he calculate it for
the most liberia. expenditure.
also made calculation and when the
professors and my figures were compared
there was difference of only $36. We
figured coal at 81 ton, though it can be
bought for SO unless there should be an
enormous and unexpected increase IN
price. figured wood at a higher price
than have ever paid for il. and made
full allowances for defective boilers,
though those in the asylum are in excel
lent condition. In fact, calculated every
Item of expense at a high figure and then
added % per cent. to cover all contingent
cies. That will give me profit of fully
81, 200 year, with the probabilities that
it will be nearer SO, 200. That, you can
see. would not be bad investment"
Mr.. Brookman further stated that he
had carefully investigated the fuel ex
penses of other institutions and it may be
a revelation to many people to learn that
the expenditures for lighting and heating
the insane hospital at Yankton is about
equal to the expenditures for the same
purpose for the state penitentiary. Brook
ings college, the Madison State Normal
school, the Spearfish State Normal and
The school of mines at Rapid City COM
bined.
Mr.. Brookman says whenever the asy-
um authorities are willing to give him a
he is ready to furnish gilt edged
bond to fulfill contract to supply the
asylum with all the fuel it can require for
Two years for $4,000 Mr.. Brook man
further says that if he fails to make mon
~ out of the deal the state will IN any
event save $4,000. But he has no fear
If failing to make good thing for him
elf if he secures the contradictions
Falls Press.
The publishers of Word and Works
propose to send a copy fiye months, from
June to October inclusive, to new SUBJ
'cribers only as trial order, for % cents,
md in addition thereto, give each
rial subscriber free, copy of a little
book of 64 pages, which contains select
chapters of work by Rev. Ira r. Hicks,
which is the crowning work of his life.
This is a rare opportunity for any one to
study the storm forecasts throughout the
coming season, besides the many other
rood things in Word and Works of inter.
st to each member of the family. The
regular price of this little book alone is
Is cents. Send 25 cents and your address
% Word and Works Pub. Co., 2201 Lo-
;ust Street, St. Louis, Mo.