The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-05-08
COUNCIL DECIDES
TO GATHER FACTS
Committee of Three Engi-
neers Appointed Last Night
to Ascertain Cost Figures

The city council decided last night
that the most important step to be
taken in tine matter of the water plant
Improvement proposition and the
Fighting offers is the ascertaihment of
the facts underlying the entire situa-
ton. \ committee of three engineers,
Dean Crouch of the university, Juneau,
of the city power plant and Weberg
of the Diamond mill, was appointed
to delve into the situation and bring
forth facts n figures as to cost of
municipal electricity. probable cost
when produced by an up to date plant
managed in an efficient ann The
committee will also make c%ondensa-
ton tests of the power generated IA.
the plant. 1t will report mex WedneS-
day, May IA, when he council will
again meet to consider Improvement
plans and lighting offers.
At the outset of the meeting. w. II.
Brown. manager of the Red River
Power company, stated tlrnt he had at
no time suggested the dismantlement
of the municipal plant. He asserted
that the plant ought to be kept in an
efficient working condition even if his
company furnished the light. If his
company furnished the light the plane
would probably be used. He stated
that he was not injecting his compa-
ny into the. matter with the idea of
having the city at his mercy at some
time in the future. Mr.. Brown sub
ing that the city could be- saved sew
eral thousand dollars. While he did
not file Il written proposition on the
water pumping proposition, he orally
stated that his company was prepared
to pump at a rate approximately 3
cents a thousand gallons.
Murphy's Position.
Mayor NJ. +. Murphy stated tina he
was in favor of improving the munich
pal plant according to the plan under
consideration. The cost-about $1O,-
00O-would amount to only one mill
on a dollar and would not be an I'M
bearable burden for a city with prop
erty valued at about S10,0 900, 900. If
the municipal plant could be made to
produce electricity on a BILE
basis, we'll and good. II the city could
profit by contracting with a private
corporation III individual to furnish
power and light. then such a step
would be advisable. The municipal
plant in no event would be disman-
tied; it should, however. be placed in
first class condition.
City Engineer IL. G. Lykken after
declaring tina the machinery at the
power plant was not evenly balanced
and that the city is constantly LOSING
money as a result submitted the fol-
lowing proposition of his own:
Hon. Mayor and City Council, Grand
Forks. N. D..
payer the undersigned begs to submit
the following proposition for the i'm
provement and operation of your city
water and street lighting plant.
The undersigned will for Il consid-
Grafton of $4,000 a year, paid
monthly at the rate of ~$1,666.66, for
a term of ten years and six months,
ending January 1, 1924. make per-
improvements at the plant in
the total sum of $4,000 and will at
the end of said term turn the plant
over to the city free of charge.
n Improvement shall consist Of
the best construction n apparatus
that money can buy, and the amount
of the expenditure checked by a COM
mittee, of the city council designated
sc to do.
The undersigned agrees to make all
necessary repairs and requirements
during the period Of operation with
out cost to h city. and turn the
plant over in first clas condition. All
broken, misused n defective parts
shall he replaced and the. boilers, ma
CAiiic1S anu otHeT APPARATUS snail De
in as good a condition as when taken
over at he present after being duly
repaired, and all new installation to
be as good as when installed, barring
only the natural wear.
The undersigned further agrees to
furnish at all times a satisfactory and
continuous service and will insure the
city in this matter with a surety bond
in the sum of 100000.
It is provided and stipulated. how