The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-08-29
Chemical Fire Engine
Bought Blythe Council
From Mondays Daily.

DOugM Oy lAC NOuISAA
From Mondays Daily.
Mankato win have a thoroughly
up-to-date, triple combination chemi-
cal fire engine, pumping engine and
hose car at the end of ninety days.
The American LaFrance Fire En-
CINE company was awarded the con-
tract for building the engine on
two to one vote of the city council
this morning, although the resolu-
ton for its purchase was unaniomus.
Councilman A G. Lack reported
that he has succeeded in getting
some reductions in the prices quoted
by the four concerns which bid for
the machine. The Seagrave people
reduced their price from $7,40O to
$1,000; the Waterous company from
$4,000 to $S,460, the Mott Fire En-
CINE company from $3.50 to $7,4OO
and the American La France from
$4,000 to 1880. Mayor Meyer
thanked Mr.. Lack for his efforts in
securing the reductions, as he has
saved the city $1,000 on the pur-
chase of the American La France
apparatus. Councilman Robert Lamm
produced Geographic recommended
tions from the fire departments OF
Minneapolis, Duluth and st. Paul,
in which all spoke very highly of the
choice made by the council. Mr..
Lack moved for an informal ballot
on the choice, and the result was,
that the American LaFrance re-
ceived the Endorsements of Mayor
Meyer, Mr. Lack and Mr.. Lamm,
the Seagrave got Mr.. Bradley's vote.
and Mr. Gerlich voted for the Mott
engine.
informal Ballot Taken.
Mr. Bradley and Mr.. Gerlich did
not vote for the American LaFrance
because it is yet the highest-priced
engine of the four. The informal
ballot was made formal by three
to two vote, in which all voted the
same as in the informal ballot. City
Attorney Arthur Schaub at once drew
up resolution which wos unani-
mously passed. The resolution calls
for the money to be paid in three
payments, the first $3.50 upon the
acceptance by the city of the fire
engine as soon as it is delivered, the
second, $4,000, one year after it's
acceptance, and the third, $4,000,
two years after it's acceptance, with
interest at 5 per cent on the last
two payments. Mr.. Lack announced
that Fire Chief Phil Leas is to put
up the money for the city, and is
to receive Per cent interest on
his money, to be paid in three yearly
installments.
Thomas L. Johnston, representing
the American LaFrance company,
was present at the meeting, and as
sured the council that the right Sc
lection had been made, and that his
for all time. .a4
Will Confer on Rate Matter.
When the much discussed lighting
question was brought up, Council
man Robert Lamm called attention
to the fact that President Woodrow
Wilson had sent John Lind as his
special representative to Mexico in
final attempt to settle matters
with the turbulent republic, and with
a similar object in view, he moved
that Mayor Meyer appoint commit
tee of three, to consist of the may
or as chairman and two others, to
confer with the Consumers Power
company in one final appeal to Sc
cure lower electric and gas rates
for the city and the private con-
sumers. The committee will report
at the next meeting. The mayor ap-
pointed Charles E. Wise and Judge
Lorin Cray to assist him in the
work.
Mayor Meyer reported that he had
conferred with Engineer Charles L.
Pillsbury in Minneapolis, and his
recommendations were given in Sat
urday's Free Press. The mayor add
ed that although Mr.. Pillsbury might
be a little higher priced than some
of the others, he was sure that his
figures would be absolutely accurate,
and strongly recommended him for
the job. He said that Mr.. Pillsbury
wanted per cent of the cost of
the municipal plant is constructed,
and if not, $1,000 was roughly esti.
mated as his remuneration However,
this cannot be definitely settled un-
til the engineer has visited the city
and has found out just how much
work he will have to do.
Rate Ordinance Passed.
The rate ordinance, which pro-
vides for commission to investigate
and regulate the rates charged by
public utilities corporations, was Civ.
en- its second reading and passed
with one correction. Instead of
granting an investigation on a petit
ton of one hundred taxpayers, the
committee is to make investigations
only on request of the council. !. 1t
will be published tomorrow, and will
go into effect ten days after it's pub
LEGATION. AS stated in a former issue
of this paper, Mayor Meyer has
spoken to George w. Scherer, Jean
A. Flittie and w. ]. Morehart as the
men will form the rate commission,
but they cannot be appointed until
the ordinance is in effect, and then
the appointments are subject to ap-
proval by the council.
Registered Complaint.
Z A letter from w. L. Hixon regis.