The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1916-02-17
WOULD IMPROVE
WATER system
THE COMMERCIAL CLUB RECON-
MENDS CONSTRUCTION OF
A PRESSURE TANK
ALSO A FILTRATION CISTERN
THESE IMPROVEMENTS AND
NEW LIGHTS WOULD CAUSE
REDUCTION IN RATES

The Commercial Club went on rec
ord at its meeting Friday night as
being in favor of the city building
either an underground pressure tank
or standpipe as a part of the pres
ent water system to insure more ade-
quate and reliable water service for
the city; to install filtration system
toward the end of supplying purer
water for domestic uses, and the in
stallation of white way" on Main
and Third streets.
The club also was of unanimous
opinion that the proposition OF l.. A.
Larson, consulting engineer Of st.
Paul, for the city to build combined
heating and lighting plant at an es-
timated cost of 100000 was too big
a proposition for the city to tackle at
this time and that it was for the best
interests of the city to enter into an
other contract, not to exceed five years
in life, with the Central Minnesota
Power & Milling Co., for both water
and lighting.
Accordingly, at the next meeting
of the city council the Commercial
Club will recommend to that body that
in its negotiations with the milling
company for a renewal of contract
that the proposition of the city build
ing pressure system, filtration plant
and white way" be investigated with
a view of determining what benefits
would accrue to the city and what
concessions in water rates could be
procured from the company In view
of the proposed improvements.
J. N. McGibbon, speaking for the
power company, stated that if the
contract with the company was re-
newed and nitrogen lights were sub,
stituted for the present arcs and IN
candescents the rates would be ma
terially reduced. He pronounced the
nitrogen lights superior to the old
ones and said that such strides were
being made yearly in perfecting of
electric lighting he would not advise
entering into more than a five year
contract at this time. Nitrogen lamps
have been tried and found satisfac-
tory, he said.
Speaking for Manager Merryman
of the milling company, Mr.. McGib-
bon stated that under existing condi-
lions the company could not afford to
pump water at rates lower than the
present ones but that if a pressure
tank system of some kind was install
led so as to relieve the strain on the
engines of the plant a corresponding
decrease in rates would follow.
Mr.. McGibbon also stated that ii
the contract was renewed it was the
intention Of Mr.. Merryman to add an
other power unit. Ii a pressure tank
was installed the engines would be
required to work only a few hours
each day in comparison with "a hours
as at present. V. l.. Burgess also stat
ed that MIR. Merryman had told him
that if pressure tanks were installed
so as to necessitate pumping only
part of the day the company would
reduce it's rates.
Regarding the "white way" Mr..
Hilsdale asked if any proposition had
been made by the milling company
for it's installation and expressed his
belief that the matter should be
threshed out during the discussion OF
the contract renewal. Mr.. McGibbon
stated that he believed the milling
company would make proposition if
they were requested to do so. Mr..
Wallace asked if the "white way"
could be installed by the city or whe-
Their the installation must be by in
dividuals and Mr.. Cooper replied that
under the present laws it was up to
individuals.
During the discussion of the water
question, the club sentiment was high
ly in favor of an underground pressure
tank system as against a standpipe,
though both were admitted as being
good. 1t was agreed underground
tanks could easily, cheaply and safely
be constructed underneath the city
park. Conditions and splendid sand
also betokened the building of a fill
tration plant cheaply. Filtering could
be accomplished by digging cistern
in the park and drawing the water
through wall of sand. It is figured
that both pressure and filtration sys-
TENS could be installed for less than
$4,000.
Mr.. McGibbon pointed out that at
the present time the city is depending
entirely on direct pressure system
for fire fighting purposes; that ma
.chinery breaks when it is working the
hardest; that it works hardest during
fire pressure periods and that if