The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-11-24
ASSEMBLY AGREES THERETO.
Specifications for Gas and Electric
Lighting Are Accepted.

Specifications for Gas and Electric
Lighting Are Accepted.
The specifications for gas and electric
street lighting for next year, as adopted
by the board of aldermen Tuesday night
were concurred in at the meeting of the
assembly last evening Attorney Carl
Taylor, representing the gas company
explained the changes. There had been
misunderstanding, he said, at the meeting
of the aldermen, when the statement was
made that the city, If the specifications
were adopted, would have to pay $H per
lamp per year. The contract price per
lamp would be $23 and to this would have
to be added about 81 for interest on gas
mains and posts on each lamp in service
AS there would be only an increase of
twenty arc lights next year, and half
of this number would be in public parks,
there would be no removals OF gas
lamps and consequently no charge for re-
movals. 1t had also been stated at the
present meeting of the aldermen that the
city was paying more for gas than pri-
vate consumers. He read from statistics
presented at the meeting Of the League
Of American municipalities figures show
ing that, on the basis Of 10000 cubic feet
consumed in each lamp, and the cost OF
maintenance at $940 per lamp, the city
was getting its light at the rate of 80
sumers were paying $780,
Assemblyman Albrecht opposed the
adoption Of the specifications for the rea-
son that the legal department of the city
had advised against the changes.
If the city, as a matter of fact, was to
pay the gas company $N or $25 per lamp,
1t was we'll to let the public know the eX-
act price to be paid. For years the city
had been masquerading under the con-
tract which called for $23 per lamp, while
as a matter of fact the price, including
the interest, was nearer $27 than $2S per
year. Minneapolis was getting gas for
its lamps at 81 per 1000 feet, and st. Paul
was paying more than other cities. If
the specifications would raise the price
per lamp to SGT he was in favor Of the
public knowing 1t.
Attorney George G. SQuires, speaking
for the gas company, said Mr.. Albrecht
was mistaken in saying the lamps cost
the city ST per year.
Mr.. Albrecht, in reply, contended that
because the representatives of the gas
company stated that the cost of mainte-
nance was 1910 per lamp was no reason
it was so. In Minneapolis the cost OF
maintenance was 81, which was 81 less
than in st. Paul. 1t was plain that If
the city paid $23 per lamp for lighting
and 50 additional for interest on each
live post the price would be SIS per lamp,
besides the charge of 81 for removals.
Corporation Attorney Markham stated
that there could be but one bid sub
mitted for lighting the city with gas and
electric lights, and this condition would
prevail as long as the city was forced
to let the contract for no longer period
than one year. There had been talk Of
a charter commission, and, if there was
one, the charter should be modified so
as to allow lighting contracts for a Pc
Rod of years. This would allow other
firms to come into the city and compete.
So long as the present conditions existed
the gas company could dictate terms. He
advised that the interest clause be elm
mated, and the company should bid a
price per lamp which would cover all ex
penses.
Assemblyman Benson took the ground
that there was no need of adopting speci-
fications on which the gas company
would not submit bids. If the council
wanted to use incandescent gasoline
lamps, instead of gas, advertise for pro-
posals for this kind of lighting. If the
city wanted gas and electric lighting, then
adopt specifications which the gas COM
pany would make a bid on. The specif-
cations, as adopted by the board, were
agreed to by vote of to 2. Messrs. AL
brecht and Thompson voting in the mega
tive. The resolution directing the city
clerk to advertise for bids, to be opened
Dec. 7, for gas and electric lighting, was
passed by vote Of to l, the only mega
tive vote being Mr.. Albrecht President
Dix WAS absent.
The award of the contract for gasoline
lighting to the American Development
company at $1656 per lamp was agreed to
by a vote of to !, Mr.. Albrecht voting
in the negative.
An ordinance directing the street rail
way company to extend its Lafayette
and Rondo line, on Maryland avenue,
from Greenbrier to Earl streets, was pre-
scented by Assemblyman Nelson. Assem-
blyman Benson moved a suspension Of the
rules and the passage Of the ordinance,
but Messrs. Craig and Warner objected.
Mr.. Nelson explained that the line would
be a great convenience to the people liy
ing in the district and the new German
Lutheran cemetery. There could be no
objection on the part Of the company.
A motion to refer to the committee on
streets was lost by tie vote, and the
motion to suspend the rules did not re-
ceive the necessary two-thirds vote, so
the ordinance went to the committee,
with the specifications for the new police
alarm system.
Jungs Beer goes right to the spot"
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