The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-11-17
ELECTRICS FOR ALL
NOW is THE TIME FOR ANYBODY
WHO HASN'T ONE TO
STEP UP
PLANNING FOR NEXT YEAR

Joint Council Committee Decides to
Increase the Number to BOT
The Only Request Turned Down
Was That of Aid. Shepard, Who
Wanted Ten More to Light Up
University Avenue.
The joint council committee on streets
eleven of the thirteen being present
decided last night TO increase the num-
Der of electric lights from 257 now in
service TO 394 next year. The specifica-
tions for street lighting as submitted
ID the council by the board of pub ic
works called for bids for 375 arc lights.
1900 gas lamps ard not 10 exceed $500
gasoline lamps.
The specifications were considered all
right as 10 the gas and gasoline lamps
by the council. but there was a de-
nand from each Of the aldermen and
asSemhlynen for an increase in the
number Of arc lights.
Ass !nbiyman Albrecht ana Aid. San
born contended that while il was de-
slrable TO increase the number of arc
hehts the question was how the pro-
posed increase was to be paid for
Mr.. Albrecht argued that as figured
out with the increase in electric lights
from 251 now in service TO 2S5 the ex-
pense OF the lighting fund for next
year would foot up sl35, $50. His figures
were as follows:
Arc lights 3s5, at SEQ each $s4 65l
Gasoline lamps $500. at $40 each 49,. 81. OOG
Interest 80. 80. .................. S01
Removal Of gas and gasoline lamps. 1850
Total go. 49,. 49,. ................. .,is5. 75a
This, he said, would make 1t neees-
sary 10 place in the tax estimate for
the lighting fund for next year $40 600
oe Only 50 per cent Of the estimate
could be depended upon. This was APP
palIlng 20 the taxpayers, who were now
paying 2 per cent on their property,
and the council was not justified in
thus Increasing the taxes. The cost for
lighting In 1898 was about Sf2l 400 and
ne moved that the specifications for
next year be based IN the same num-
Der or electric lights as were now In
service. 257. In 1897 there were l20 cleo
trio lights in 1898 the number was in
creased TO PSI, and now the council
wanted 10 Increase the number TO 1856
ms, ne claimed, was expansion with
vengeance and in the interest of the
taxpayers halt should be called
Mr.. Sanborn agreed with the ass m
blyman from the Third ward and sec
onded the motion 10 have the specifica-
tons call for only the same number OF
arc HSntS next year as this.
The motion was voted down nv a
vote of to 2 Assemblymen Benson,
Nelson, Warner and Thompson and
Aids. Shepard, Bell, Kenny Murphy
and Blomquist Insisting on the in
crease.
Aid. Sanborn then moved that alter
native bids be advertised for. one call
ing for 257 arc lights and 2.662 gas
lamps, and the other for 1914 electric
lights and $500 gas lamps. This was
defeated by the same vote, those Of
the councilmen favoring the increase in
electric lighting fearing that there
would be such a difference in the two
bids that the smaller one would be in
sisted on being accepted.
After considerable figuring the specl-
fications for electric lighting was
amended so as TO provide for 3e4 arc
lights. In addition 10 the number and
location OF the lights published in The
G / o b Sunday, the First ward was
given one. the Third ward. four: the
Fifth and Sixth wards, one each: the
/ Fourth ward, one, and the Ninth ward.
five.
Assemblyman Albrecht had another
motion 70 have the city divided into
three districts for electric lighting, one
district 70 consist OF the Third. Fourth
and Ninth wards: another OF the Sixth
ward. and the third, all other portions
OF the city. MS received out the votes
OF Messrs. Albrecht and Sanborn.
Aid. Shepard wanted the number Of
electric lights increased 10 404, so as TO
give ten lights on University avenue
west OF Dale street, but the committee
| refused TO go any farther.
] The specifications. as amended. VIII
/ be approved by the board Of aldermen
+ and assembly at meetings held this
/ evening. and then the city clerk will
I advertise for bids. Under the estimate
made the lighting expense for next
year will be somthlng like this:
Arc lights 394 estimated at 500 each SIS $50
Gasoline lamps, 300, estimated at $40
Gas lamps. 2eOo, estimated at $40 each. $3.50
Interest $50. -..... ...... .............. $500
Lighting public buildings ............. Loco
Removal gas and gasoline lamps and
incldentals .....- ............ 500
Total .... .........- ................s 13s $50
At present the contract price is 500 so
+ for 10 electric lights; $94 for 1877 lights:
! sS.34 for gasoline lamps and $2S for gas
/ lamps. 1t is predicted that price OF
/ gasoline lamps will be Increased to at
! least SO each. and that the average
/ price charged by the gas company for
/ electric lights win be $50. the price of
I gas lamps remaining the same.