The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-06
ALL BIDS REJECTED.
ASSEMBLY TURNS DOWN PROPOSE
TIONS ON GASOLINE
LIGHTING
ALLURINa OFFER THE CAUSE
Cleveland Company Makes Propo-
sition That, on Paper, Looks
Like the Acme of Phil
anthropy.

What promises to be the liveliest fight
in the history of st. Paul gasoline light
ing, was given an impetus last night.
when the assembly rejected the gasoline
bids opened at the meeting Of the board
of aldermen Tuesday night, and ordered
a call for new ones. The vote on this
proposition was close, but it was decisive.
While accusations of unfairness and
padded specifications were not made. as
at the meeting of the board. the order
to reject was based manifestly on a
proposition made by George Patterson, a
representative of the Cleveland Vapor
Lighting company so alluring that DOUBT
ing Thomases were quickly won over.
In brief, Mr.. Patterson's promise was,
in the event that specifications were
drawn accordingly, and sufficient time
given for estimates, and the making Of
exhibits to make bid for either gas or
gasoline lighting, or both, to carry with
it the proviso that the entire plant, ex-
elusive of posts, is to revert to the city
at the end of the contract
In the event of 1900 or more lights be-
ing used, Mr.. Patterson promised that his
bid would not xeeed $50 per lamp per
year, while for incandeScent gas light
ing a fraction over $29 a lamp might pre-
vail. At the end of the year, all right,
title and interest in the lamps proper
would revert to the city.
The proposition for gas lighting was
based on the demand that the city should
secure from the gas company a price OF
S. or less per thousand feet for gas, and
also the use of all gas posts now in ex-
istence. In the proposition on gas light
ing, the reverSion of all lamps and ap-
pliances to the city at the end of the
contract was also promised.
Commenting on his proposition, Mr..
Patterson significantly added, that the
city for the same price it was now pay
ing, would have at the close of the year,
if specifications were drawn up on the
plan he outlined, not only a good grade
of ineandescent light, but an entire
equipment of lamps exclusive of poles.
The latter he informed the company,
could be purchased for what they cost
the company. With a plant in it's ros
session, the next time bids were called
for, the city could dictate the price, in
stead of having toSaccept anything that
came along.
1t was here that Aid Dix introduced q
motion to reject the gasoline bids re-
ceived, which Assemblyman Craig OPP
posed, but the latter gentleman was IN
able to rally enough votes to prevent
passage. Only Assemblyman Denny and
President Warner came to his rescue. At
the conclusion the order for another call
for bids was sent to the board of public
works, supplemented with recommended
ton that specifications be drawn based
on the Cleveland company's propositions.
LathrOp VIII Not Talk.
President Lathrop, of the st. Paul Gas
Lighting company, was present at the
meeting, and manifested considerable in
terest in the proceedings Asked at the
close whether his company was agree
able to the gas end of the Cleveland COM
pany's proposition he said he could not
talk intelligently until he could look into
the matter further
Incidentally the Cleveland company
has sprung a little coup that the Aneri-
can Development company, the present
contractors may not be able to meet.
Even the ST. Paul Gas Lighting company
is at a disadvantage If compliance with
the new specifications is demanded It is
understood that both companies use
lamps constructed under Welsbach pat
ents and are only licensees. The Wells
bach company will not sell its lamps or
permit them to pass from it's possess
sion.
Some Of the members of the assem-
bly, are greatly taken with the scheme.
They claim that the city, il such a prop
osition is entertained, will be the owner
of plant at the close of the contract
worth at least $4,000.
City Engineer Claussen is inclined to
discredit this happy ending until the
whole affair, including the standing of
the company, is investigated He says
it all looks nice on paper, but in the end
the city might have to pay handsomely
for a plant that is apparently given
gratis