The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-11-14
BIDS RANGE HIGH
Gasoline Is Cheaper Than
Electric Lights.
W. L. Hixon Reminds the Council Of
Its Alleged Inability to Make
Five Year Contract.

iva hEhtAhS Ing st10otc AOL ohCj thios
and Ave years from Dec. 1st next.
The bids were all higher than was
expected. Only two firms submitted
propositions.
The Mankato Gas and Electric Light
sompauy bid as follows: For one
yoar-SixtY-five or more standard arc
lamps CT nominal 2. 900 candle power,
Ss4 each with the Philadelphia or
moonlight schedule, and $l05 each
with the every and all night schedule
11s or more thirtytwo candle power
incsndescent lamps, $40 each with
moonlight schedule, and $50 each with
every and all night schedule. For
three years-Same number of arcs at
S72 90 or $92 so, and same number of
incsndescents at $50. 80 or $2S, accord
ing to which schedule is adopted. For
Eve years-Same number of arcs at
$6B 90 or SIS. so, and same number of
incsndesoents at $50 or $27. according
to the schedule. If IS arcs are taken
this charge will be 81 year less, If
81 are taken it will be 50 year less,
and if 100 are taken it will be 81 less
II $50 iDcanoescents are taken, the
charge will be 81 year less, and if
SOC are taken the charge will be 81 a
year less. These reductions apply to
both schedules.
The American Development COM
psny of Chicago presentedthe follow
ing bid: Lights to be placed in sub
stsntially the same locations as now,
fifty or more incandescent oil or gaso-
Inns pressure lamps and enc hundred
OF more incandesceut gasoline No. 81
lamps. boulevard style, 10 be furnish
cd. TO be the same design as the sam
pie lamps exhibited on the streets at
present The incandescent oil or gaso-
line lamps with l, 900 candle power,
SO year for one year, or al year
for three years, or so year for five
years with the every and all night
schedule; aud $62 year for one
year, $6t year for three years, and
$50 year for Eve years, with the
Philadelphia or moonlight schedule.
The incandescent boulevard lamps,
with sixty candle power, $31 year
for one year. or $50 year for three
years. or 500 a year for five years,
with the every and all night schedule
and SET year for one year, $40 year
fof three years, or $50 year for five
years, with the moonlight schedule.
The contract and furnishing of the
light to begin Dec. 1st The bid can
be accepted in whole or in part.
On motion of Aid. -Taylo the bids |
were referred to the committee on |
lighting, which will make thorough |
investigation before acting. 1t is |
likely that some of the boulevard |
lamps will be ordered in any event. as
they are Of go candle power, while the
present incandescents are of only 30
candle power Each bid was accom-
panied by check for $500.
The prices now being paid for street
lights are s74 year for arcs and $21 |
for incsndescents. There are in use SO |
arcs and 1lS incandescents.
The council did not discuss the
bids.
NJ. g. Willard and W. l.. Hixon
were present from the railroad COM
rnittee of the board of trade. Mr.. |
Willard addressed the council and |
read the report which the committee
had made at the last meeting of the
board, recommending that no lighting |
contract be made for longer period |
than one year, and that at least a !
81, 900 bond be required from any |
company seeking a street railway |
franchise. He said that if anybody |
means business he will just as soon !
put up 81, 600, and if he is working !
merely to kill time he should lose his
money. The committee did not think !
that a street railway can be made !
profitable without lighting contract
attached, which was why it was de-
sired that the council shall not con-
tract more than one year ahead. /
Mr. Hixon said that he was ap-
pointed on the board of trade CON-
mittee to confer with the council He /
called attention TO the complaint of j.
B, Meagher in the street railway in
junction suit, where it was stated !
that it was illegal for the council to |
enter into ten years contract on the
ground that it created an indebted /
ness. Basine the matter on the COM
papy's own argument, it would be in
consistent for the old company to ask
for long time contract. The same
argument wonld apply to FIVE year
contract. The complaint also said that
"A was an exhobritant price to pay
or arc lights, and it would therefore
also be inconsistent for the company
to bid more than $74. The company
would hardly want TO recede from its
position. In view of all this and the
unanimous desire of the people for
street. railway, he asked on behalf of
the board of trade that the concil do
not enter into FIVE year contract for
tke city lighting.
The matter was then dropped, and
did not come up again until just as a
raotion to adjourn was being voted
en-. Messrs Hixon and Willard and
Eaost of the spectators had left the
room.
Robert Seeger, president of the
American Development company, then
addressed the council and said that