The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-09-25
Means Large Expenditure.

clUN WltH Il TlSHC llSnI at IL lSnI pIlCe.
Aid. Kleinschmidt advanced reasons
in favor of a ten year contract.
Means Large Expenditure.
AID. Plymat called upon President H,
A. Patterson, and the latter said that
the past year the net earnings of the
Mankato Gas and Electric Light COM
pany had been less than $4,000, not
counting anything for depreciation, The
net business of lighting in Mankato is
less than $4,000 a year. 1t was proposed
to make a twenty per cent reduction in
prices. 1t was proposed to make this
reduction for a $4,000 to 81 1000 contract
and the hope of increasing the %company's
commercial business. The present plant
is large enough to light the streets, but
not large enough in case of accident, and
therefore the company would have to
make an expenditure of $4,000 to put
the plant in shape. The company would
want to give the city the very best SER
vice. Another gas engine will cost over
S., 1000. Enclosed arc lamps at $40 each
will amount to $4,000. Practically the
entire city would be supplied with new
poles and wires, which would amount to
$4,000, and a new generator to $1,000,
and labor to S. 1000. This outlay would
be necessary on a one, two, five or ten
years contract. When the contract is
completed, the company may lose the
street lighting, which would leave the
material enumerated worth very little,
as electrical machinery depreciates rapid
". The depreciation for one year would
L. o. AAn wharaoc nn1u 0R 0n0 70 GT =
600 would be received from the city.
For two years, the depreciation would
be S 5000 a year, and on a five year con-
tract it would be $4,000 a year, and on a
ten year contract it would be total, as
there would be practically no salvage.
The figures given for street lighting
are as low or lower than those in any
other city similarly located. The COM
pany is trying to forget the past and
would do it's utmost to fulfill the obi
cations of the contract. The company
ought not to be asked to build a street
railway, which 80 out of 100 citizens
say will not pay. However, the COM
pany is willing to go in with the citizens
company and join issue in the building of
a car line, or it will furnish power at
actual cost for such time as it took the
car line to get upon a paying basis.
In reply to a question from Aid. Ply
mat, Mr.. Patterson said that if a five
year contract was made, IN advance of
prices necessary to offset the difference
in depreciation would have to be made.
R. E. Brown stated in answer to a
question that the Gas and Electric Light
company employs 20 to "a men steadily
- .-la~ c4,oo@ xvn,1- g hoinr lnnn On
men are added.
Shorter Time Suggested.
AID. Mckinley said that he was not in
favor of a ten years contract as ten
years was too long. If the light was
good, the company would be able to get
its contract renewed at the end of five
years. The people do not want a ten
year contract. He thought that the
kicking of the people would die out, if
good light was furnished as they want
electricity. The proposition is a good one,
but he would prefer a year to year con-
tract.
AID. Coy thought the proposition a
good one, but that the time was too
long. The people of his ward prefer a
term.
Aid. Mckinley asked what the com-
pany gets for the arc lights in North
Mankato.
President Patterson said that North
Mankato is paying $72 a year. The
Waterman there turns off the
lights which are run on the commercial
on wires and poles already there.
In this city a separate circuit would
be necessary. If only a half dozen or so
lights were needed on this side, a bet
ter price could be made than in North
Mankato. If the company is to get the
it will take two months or more to get
the necessary machinery.
Aid. Kleinschmidt withdrew his mo-
ton, to allow the company to prepare
figures on a five years. contract, to be
considered next Thursday night.
Barber Shop Rules.
Health Officer Edwards said that the
old part of the quarantine station needs
r~eshingling. He said that a sewer is
needed on Grove street, and it is hardly
right to charge the entire cost upon the
property. He asked whether the city
would build the sewer to the alley. There
should be a place at police headuarters
emergency cases, as vas shown in a
recent railroad accident. He also called
attention to barber shop sanitary rules,
such as are used in most cities, and urg-
ed that an ordinance incorporating them
be prepared. There is more skin disease
spread by u%ncleanliness in barber shops
than people are aware of.
The matter of repairing the quarantine
station was referred to Aid. Klein
schmidt.
The barber shop rules were referred to
the city attorney to prepare an ordi-
nance covering the matter.
The committee on city property made
a report, recommending several repairs.
These were all referred back to the COM
mittee to carry out.
The board of public works IA in
structed to replank the sidewalks along
the bridge over the Minnesota river, and
to put in new stringers where needed.
The award of the sewer contract on
North Second street to John Mccall was
reported by the board and was approved
and the bond, with w. G. Hoerr and
Clement Schroeder as sureties, was APP
proved.
Four New Ordinances.
The ordinances allowing the Great
Western railway company to build and
operate a spur track across Cherry and
Poplar streets and the alley in block
nine was taken up.
Aid. Coy said that the Poplar street
residents are up in arms against al
lowing that street to be blocked by
freight trains. Two property owners
oppose the laying of the track in the al
ley. He favored having the track stop at
Poplar street.
Aid. Mckinley did not think that the
road would block the crossing. This view