The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-07-11

ldIlllS the COuCIdCt, tuOuSu tucIc IL,
no reason why the city cannot agree
upon a minimum consumption of
electricity. The city should be en-.
tirely free at any time to adopt any
lighting continuance it chooses.
Five. Under such contract the
rate should be according to the
amount of electricity consumed, and
not rate per light.
There is only one way in which
the city can afford to make the
above mentioned Improvement, and
that is that there must be a great
reduction in the price of electricity
from the rate now charged. The
Consumers Power company have al
ready intimated to us that a reduc.
ton of 25 per cent would be accept
able to them if the city used bet
ter lighting system. 1t is my opin
ion that even a greater reduction
can be secured. AS chief executive
| shall take up the question of rates
with the Consumers Power company
as soon as the Commercial club has
made it's report to US, and | fee,
confident that | shall secure such a
rate as will be acceptable to all OF
fore great reduction in price is
necessary if we are to install the
proper system
Cheaper Gas Demanded.
"A third question for consideration
is the demand of the people to have
cheaper gas. This question should
be considered and studied carefully
and before any contract for city
lighting is made we should receive
assurance of the proper reduction
of our gas rate. On this subject
too | am confident that we will
meet with ultimate success.
'The people of Mankato have fell
with perfect justice that they should
participate in the benefits of the
great power dam erected near Rapi
dan, in reduced rates OF electricity
for lighting, fuel and power. ! sin
cerely believe it is the duty Of
every one of us to see that the PEG
pie are satisfied on this point. AT
ter a thorough study of our rates
and the opportunities and circum
stances of our case we should in
sist before entering into a contract
on behalf of the city that rea
sonable and just electric rate be
established for the benefit of pri
vate consumers.
Study Municipal Ownership.
There is another side to this
question and that is municipal own
ership of an electric plant No mat
ter what difficulties may stand in
its way, we should give the subject
our immediate and close study. Fol
| should we fail in securing public
rates or rates for private consum
ers that are just and reasonable, we
should have no fear or hesitancy in
resorting at last to municipal owner
ship; and / feel confident that in
such case the people of this city
would uphold us and stand by us
and that we would overcome any
difficulties that now seem insur
mountable. With the people back OF
us there is no reason why we
should waver or hesitate should il
be decided that municipal owner
ship would be the best solution Of
the question.
las l have said before all these
questions should be we'll studied
and considered. have written tt
100 cities for information, ant
hereto attached you will find
synopsis of the information re
ceived in lighting rates. Much fur
Their information is contained il
the letters which belong hence
forth to the council, not to me.
Il believe the magnitude of the
subject, and the fact that nothins
has been done as yet should urge
us to immediate action; and l be
lieve for a beginning it would BIZ
well to ask the Commercial cluf
to take up at once the question O
an improved lighting system of the
city.
Hopes to Work in Harmony.
Il am instructed that it is my duty
as mayor to ask for rates from the
Consumers Power company which
as a public utility company is undeI
executive control, but the determi
nation of all questions affecting tn,
lighting proposition belongs to al
of us equally, and l hope we will
all work with harmony and mutua
(! good will towards a correct solu
ton of the great problem befor,
us.
1T is impossible to give in
synopsis an absolutely correct state
| ment of electric rates. These rate,
are all based on a sliding scale. tn,
highest figure always representa-.
the base rate. AS to arc lights
there is also great difference il
these as some are stronger thar
others; some are based on the mid
night moon light schedule, other
are the all night, every night plan
there being difference of about 2!
per cent between the two plans. Or
namental lamps also vary in siz,
and price. The original letters shout,
De carefully read and studied b,
those who wish to secure an abso
lutely correct idea of rates an,
plans prevailing in other cities"
Received Many Replies.
Mayor Meyer has received from
seventy-five to 100 replies from diff