The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-01-31
CONFERENCE. HELD
Lighting Committee and Local
Company's Officials.
Chicago Expert States That Street
Lighting Plant For Mankato Will
Cost $4,000.

A conference was held last night
f, between Mayor Petersen and Aids.
Leonard, Taylor and Deebach of the
+, lighting committee of the council on
one side, and President 81. A. Patter-
son and Supt. R. E. Brown of the
Mankato Gas and Electric Light Co.,
and c. b. Evans of Chicago, a con-
structing engineer who drew the plans
for the improvements recently made
by the local company. 1t was the
general desire that this be private, SO
that free exchange of views could be
had and all possible information Sc
cured, but this did not turn out to be
the case, and he committee conse-
quently did not acquire as much in
formation as it might have done in re-
gard to the construction of lighting
plants.
Mr.. Evans prepared the plans for the
electric light plants at Oshkosh, Nee
nah and Menaska, Wis, and Red
Wing, Mimi, all of which are using
gas engines and are working success
fully.
Mr.. Patterson said that az Mr..
Evans was in this vicinity, he had
thought it advisable for him to visit
Manksto and inspect the improve
ments just completed at the plant
He had invited the mayor and com
mittee on lighting to meet with Mr..
Evans, to talk the matter Of street
lighting over with him. He could see
no harm in this, as the committee was
, seeking the information, and it might
get some facts from Mr.. Evans that
would be of value in determining the
course which the council, would pur-
sue.
Mr.. Evans stated that the gas en-
gines which the local company has in
stalled in its plant are largely used
and are giving good satisfaction. In
fact, the manufacturers cannot turn
them out fast enough to meet the de-
mand. He mentioned a number OF
places where they are being used,
among others being the cement works
in Kansas where ten 325 horse power
gas engines are used, and the Carnegie
steel works at Braddock, Pa. where
$50 horse power gas engine is used.
Mr.. Evans said that the new en-
closed arc lamps which the local com
pany proposes to use if its CONTRACT
with the city is renewed are an i'm
provement over the present lamps and
are the most approved kind for street
lights. They cast no shadow, diffuse
the light better, and the lights are mol
so binding. At the same time, 9
paper can be read at further dis
lance. The company had told him
that it would like to make the change
at once, but the contract with the city
is so nearly expired that it did moi
feel justified in going to the large ex
pense without knowing whether tht
contract would be renewed. Tt would
cost So, 900 to make the change. g~-~
} Mr.. Evans said that first clas
; electric plant for lighting the street.
J Of Mankato would cost not less thar
$40, O00 He further stated that tn
local company is now and has been TO
week or ten days furnishing as goo'
electric and gas service as can b
found in any city of the size of Man
kato. Causes for complaint now viii
be due merely to local disarrangement
which can be easily remedied.
Mayor Petersen said that it was tn
intention of the council to go into tn
matter in careful and businesslik
manner and ascertain what the cost G
lighting the streets is in other town
} of the same size and similarly located