The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-05-31

lights grow lesser, and warning is
thus given in time to visit the meter
and deposit more coins. The total
amount of gas used from time to time
is recorded upon the main index. as
upon ordinary meter, and consum
ers can keep the same supervision
over the amount consumed. The gas
is sold and delivered thru these me-
ters at the net selling price and the
monthly presentation Of gas bills be-
comes unnecessary
Possibly enough has been said to
assure the intending investor or home
builder that the management of the
gas supply Of Minneapolis is conducted
on such lines as to be direct benefit
to the city and a positive influence on &
Its development. It is such conduct
Of public functions a conduct which &.
is in hearty accord with public prog 6
ress-that Is the best argument against
the public ownership Of such utilities.
In Minneapolis the gas company has
further sh own it's interest in the city s
and its entire confidence In the future
Of the real estate interests by making
extensive investments on Its own ac-
count which not only show Its faith in {
| the city, but contribute In large s
measure to the general confidence.
The most conspi cuous Of its invest Z
10 a
ing completed last year on Seventh Z
street, between Hennepin and Ntcollet 3
avenues. Previously the company had
occupied rented quarters. The new
building Is one Of the best of recent
additions to the office buildings Of the
city. Tt is hreproof structure Of
gray brick, distinctly classical in style,
finished in every detail with fine artis-
tic taste and in the most substantial
manner possible. It is one OF the !
thoroly good architectural contribu-E
tions to the group of fine buildings in !
Minneapolis and has a distinctively
| educational effect in raising the taste
Of the public in such matters. Within,
1.-THE building is model Of beauty and
| convenience. The main office Is spa
cious as banking and as hand
somely fitted as any Of the larger
financial institutions offices. Wealth
cred oak, dull black iron and marble
are the most conspicuous materials.
| On the main and two other floors are
rooms devoted to the display and sale
Of gas ranges and other gas-burning
apparatus, the storage Of supplies.
| workrooms, a printing office, and
many other departments. The whole
building is a model Of convenience and
special adaptability to the purposes
for which it was constructed.
i Another interesting structure, or
group Of structures. is found in the
gas manufacturing plant at the foot
of Fourteenth avenue s. These works
Il are, open to visitors at all times and
q permits may be secured at the main
office on Seventh street. The works
are surprise to most Of the people
who visit them. There is nothing to
offend the nostrils and so little dirt
that a,lady in summer white may -visit
= all departments without danger OF
. soiling4 her gown or in any way find
!, ing the, experience disagreeable.
The company is one Of the largest
employers of labor In Minneapolis.
. The hands at the works, the force In
the main office, and numerous outside
|. workers, make up a force OF several
. hundred en- ployees-a force which is
d largely augmented in summer when
street mains are being laid. There
has never been any labor difficulty Of
i any kind between the company and
its workers.
The whole business, which Is now
an enormous one, Is organized in
: very systematic manner. In fact an
: interesting chapter among the popular
.. articles on the organization Of great
! business undertakings might be de-
: voted to the Minneapolis Gas Light
a company In this as In other classes
e Of service the consumers sometimes
e think that red-tape predominates and
g that complications hedge about all OPP
!; erations until quick consideration OF
= individual matters Is Impossible. This
: is not the case in the affairs and man.
# agement Of this company. The COM
r pleteness of the business system used
e makes celebrity In every transaction
l. possible, fixes the responsibility fol
Is every operation and makes instant ref.
e eYence to all the business details OF
e the company easy. It is model OF
re- complete organization.