The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-11-14


BIDS for the city lighting contract
we've opened by the council last nignt
and tae public is surprised to learn
tsst the proposal of the Msnkato Gas
ana electric Light company is about
$40 per month per light in advance OF
what that concern is now receiving
froua the city for the service rendered.
The company offers to do the light
ing at So per arc light per month for
period of one year and if the con-
tract is awarded for three or Eve years
tss prices will be lessened.
The American DEVELOPMENT COM
u.nv submitted bids which are lower
all slong The line than those handed
in by the Mankato Gas and Electric
Light company.
The Manksto Gas and Electric
Light company is very inconsistent,
WheR another company was on Inc
psfnt of constructing an electric road
in Mankato, providing it be given the
contract TO furnish lighting, a leading
stakeholder O. the Mankato Gas and
Electric Light company, }. b.
Meagher, served notice that a suit
wsnid bs instituted to secure an in
isnotion TO prevent the city from
making such contract, and mind
vou. the new company did not ask the
city 10 pay any more for the lighting
thsn it was paying to the concern that
WAC and is az this time furnishing the
service. Mr. Mesaher, in his COM
paint. stated that the price asked was
TOO high: that lighting could and
sbouIA be furnished at $65 per arc
light peg month, and that his action
was in the interest of the tax payers
Il will be remembered that the citi-
zeus of Mankato expressed a great deal
Of indignation at the time because
any proceeding was started TO block
s viaR that would give to this city an
elesric road and at the same time the
municipal lighting would cost no
more than was being paid for il.
The aldermen may as well under
stand now as later on that the people
Of Mankato will not enSorse con-
tract with the Mapkato Gas and Elec-
trio Light company at the bids snb-
nitted. II that company can furnish
lighting at reasonable figure on five
yssr contract it can do so for period
of one pear The public will not sub
ni5 to an extortion and furthermore
it Is not desirable that longtime con-
tract be made. as it, is within the
baunds of possibilities that the city
csc, in the near future, enjoy the beae-
1T of street railway, providing the
lighting contract is awarded to the
company that will further such an
enterprise.
Meanwhile if the Mankato Gas and
Eis,trlc Light company does net re-
duce it's bid TO point touching rea-
sseableneas. the council should enter
into contract with any other com
psay that will light the city for a
yesr at price that is not considered
sxhorbitant.
President Patterson stated to the
cssnei. that the Msnkato Gas and
Electric Light company will have to
go to an outlay of s6, 900 in order to
provide new lamps. and that it does
not feel justified In making bid at a
less amount for one-yesr con-
tract under the circumstances. Are
We to understand that the public
Is called upon to pay for the new
lsDps2 Could The Free Press
charge an exhorbitant price for big
job On the ground that 1t must pur-
chase new material in order to fulfill
a osntraotS Not that anybody knows of.
It ia the general opinion that the
ksnksto Gas and Electric Light COM
psny is attempting to force the city to
make a 6ye-year lighting contract
with THAI Institution