The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1916-10-12
PROBLEM STILL COMPLEX

Now that Sank Centre owns its own
lighting plant, the manner of how
best to operate it is a serious question
in the minds of the city officials and
citizens.
Before entering into this discussion
the Herald will briefly call attention
to what the pole line actually cost the
city. The price for the entire hold
ings of the Light & Power Company,
st. Cloud, was $12,21O. This includ-
ed the pole line proper, the line run
ming to the Home School for Girls, the
generator and switchboard and the
meters and house connections.
At the opening of the bids short
time ago, none of them contemplate
ed the furnishing of meters for indi-
vidual use. To replace these meters
and house connections would cost ap-
proximately $500. 1t cost the Mil
ling company $1,000 to run the pole line
to the Home School, Should the city
desire to turn back the generator and
switchboard to Mr.. Whitney before
July / next, he has guaranteed to pay
$500 for them.
The estimate for the meters is based
on $50 patrons, which Manager Nc
Gibbon informs the Herald there are
at the present time. Estimates for the
cost of small meters and connecting
has been placed at SIP each. The
larger ones for power service, OF
which there are number, would in
crease the cost materially, so it will
be seen that the estimate of $500 for
meters and installation is conserva-
tive.
The above deductions indicate the
pole line and transformers cost the
city approximately $4,000. 1t will not
cost to exceed $4,000 to rebuild this
line and put it in first class shape.
The bids, recently opened, for the
construction of an entirely new line
were $17,925, according to Alderman
O'Gara.
With the above facts before the
public it must be admitted that the
council made mighty good deal when
they took over the property.
At the time the bond issue was up
for consideration one of the things
promised was White Way for the
business district. The engineer en-
ployed by the city made plans for
25-pole White Way, and the bids for
this part of the work were approx
imately $4,000. Since that time, how
ever. the council and business men
have had placed before them a White
Way system of 46 posts, superior IN
every particular to the one bid upon,
at a less cost per post, or total cost
of $7,4OO.
This phase of the matter was thor
oughly discussed at meeting held IN
the Commercial Club rooms Monday
evening. All of those present went
on record in favor of establishing a
White Way at once if the present gen.
orator would carry the load. Mr.,
Beattie stated that he would guaran-
tee that the White Way system he
proposed would not require more than
10 XIV. per hour, and that if the pres
ent arc lamps were changed to G
more modern and efficient light, the
line loss taken up, ETC., the amount OF
Juice required would not be materially
increased.
The feeling prevails quite generally
throughout the city, however, that
Sank Centre should at once take steps
to erect or acquire suitable power
plant, and that an additional unit be
installed.
At Monday evenings meeting City
Clerk ]. F. Cooper called atten-
ton to the fact that the city had al
ready expended $12,210 for the pres
ent property, and the question was
raised whether a power plant such as
Sank Centre would need could be
completed with the White Way for an
expenditure of $4,000, the amount of
the bonds voted. Mr. Beattie said his
company was ready to give bonds that
they would install plant to meet all
the requirements of the city for a
number of years to come, in two units,
we'll within the bond issue. His plant
would generate by steam, and he
claimed also that he was willing to
furnish bond that properly install
ed steam plant would put juice on the
switch board for cent per XIV.
Some of those who have investigat-
ed the matter insist that a crude oil
engine can be installed which will
generate electricity cheaper than in
any other manner. The fact remains,
however, that there have been several
attempts to supplant steam, but it is
today the standard developer of pow
eer. This is especially true in all the
large manufacturing concerns.
The Herald confesses that it favors
steam, if for no other reason than it