The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-09-04

1T. He agreed with Dr. ANDREWS IndI
Mankato should stop playing horse: Peo-
pie who ask for franchises should be
compelled to put up a bond.
Mr. Hunt said that if the lighting
contract is made to run from year to
year the city will be required to pay
higher price for it's lighting.
Frank Busch said the main object is
to secure light for the people as cheaply
as possible and at the same tipe not
head off an electric railroad. The new
company is willing to turn its contracts
and paraphernalia over to an electric
railway company at any time. The new
company will soon have its electric light
ing schedule ready to submit to the coun-
Gil, probably next Friday night.
Mr.. Reynolds wanted to know where
this company has gas plant in opera
ton similar to the one it proposes to put
in here.
Information Was Lacking.
No one could furnish the information,
but Mr.. Busch stated that the company
would be willing to put up bond to
furnish good quality of gas.
Mr.. Hunt remarked that the council
should have required a bond from the
company that is now trying to light the
city.
Former Alderman Heinze said that
there is some penalty provision in the
contract.
The council is not enforcing this penal
ty to any startling degree was the
thought of several gentlemen in the room.
Dr. Andrews said that he hoped moth
he NV he hno III &c %ro do
or by any citizen to block the council
from inaugMating better lights. 1t is
imperative that the streets be lighted by
electricity.
Mr.. Willard could see no reason why
the present electric lighting company
should not be willing to accept light
ing contract for one year.
This brought out the remark that
from a business standpoint the company
could hardly be expected to enter into
such a contract. If the contract should
be awarded the Mankato Gas & Electric
Light conn any a considerable amount
of money must necessarily be expended
in order to carry out that contract. 1t
is the j. 'ontion of the company to pur-
chase til" latest improved arcs and to
wire the "ity throughout with new wire,
besides expanding several thousands of
dollars for appliances. Mr.. Willard was
advised to place himself in the position
of the CONF any in this matter. The prop
osition sho:'ld be discussed fairly.
o. w. s hmidt wanted to know if the
new conn any would be willing to enter
into a yearly contract Mr.. Schmidt
advocated that the business men pur-
chase the arcs and wires and allow eth
er comp that secures the lighting
contract T. use them.
Mr.. Schmidt was of the belief that
with either the city or the business men
owning the arc lamps and the wires any
company could enter into a short-time
contract as it would not be required to
expend money for this paraphernalia.
The amendment which Mr.. Willard
offered to the resolutions was adopted
without opposition. The vote on the
resolutions as amended was then taken.
The ayes We're feebly given by several
gentlemen. There was one nay and the
majority of those in the meeting did not
vote at all.
Secretary Taylor Swas instructed to
present the resolutions to the council
as a communication to the board of
trade. -
Several members of the Mankato
Business Mems association were pres
ent at last evenings meeting, they hav-
ing received information that meet
ing of that organization was going to
be held. The association will hold ses-
sion tonight and it is suspected that the
principal subject for discussion will be
the lighting and railway proposition.