The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1916-07-06
BONDS VOTED.BY
GREAT MAJORITY
CITIZENS EXPRESS WILLING
NESS TO EXPEND $4,000 FOR
ELECTRIC PLANT
BALLOT IS 400 FOR; 29AGAINST
DECIDES TO EMPLOY
CONSULTING ENGINEER BE-
FORE FURTHER STEPS

result of the $4,000 electric light
bond election last Thursday was only
a question of the size of the majority
and this was highly satisfactory to
the bond issue suppOrters-400 to ~.
While the total vote cast was far be-
low that at the municipal election last
spring there was never at any time
any doubt as to the final count, the
voters going to the polls with quiet
dignity and determination to keep the
corporation yoke off their shoulders
that could not be disguised to the OBJ
server. The immensely one-sided vote
was a stiff rebuke to the Whitney paid
workers who had Over-run the town
for week or ten days previous to
election.
That the bonds will have ready
sale in the event the city wishes to
dispose of them was evidenced at the
council meeting Wednesday night
when the city clerk announced he had
receive offers for negotiations from
several bond houses. 1t was the sense
of the meeting, however, that it was
premature to talk of bond selling; that
the first step was to determine what
kind of lighting and power plant
was desired.
A. r. McMullin, manager of the
northwest sales division of the Busch
Sulzer Bros.-Diesel Engine company
of St. Louis, was present and gave an
interesting and Straightforward talk
on the Diesel type of engine. He,can-
didly advised the council, however. be-
fore they took any step, to employ a
competent engineer to come here and
make expert recommendation on what
kind of a plant was best for Sank Cen
tire.
Informal discussion revealed that
the council was unanimous in favor of
a two-unit Diesel engine plant with
each engine of 165 horsepower. Mr..
McMullin said that such a plant could
be constructed without the building
for less than $4,000. A single unit
plant would cost in the neighborhood
of $4,000 and would take care of the
normal needs of the city but would not
be guarantee against lack of power or
lighting current as would the two
unit plant. The latter combination
would not only insure more than
enough juice for the present but would
serve the city if it grew several times
greater.
Discussion was also had as to the
purchase of one larger engine. 1t was
pointed out here, however, that this
would necessitate the erection of a
water standpipe to guard against pos
sible engine breakdown and the diff
ference in cost of $4,000 in the engines
and the cost of a new standpipe would
be approximately the same as the
cost of second small engine. The
25O-horsepower engine also would be
much larger than would be required
to carry the ordinary load and ac-
cordingly there was enconomy in pur-
chasing an engine which served the
same purpose and at much less oper-
ating cost With the two-unit plant
standpipe would not be required, as
water would be pumped direct at all
times, one engine being continuously
in operation. With only one engine,
occasional shutdowns would be nee
essary. The councilmen were agreed
that when a plant is installed it should
be of the highest standard AMI capable
OF meeting any demand which is plac-
ed upon it. The lighting committee
was instructed to Immediately take up
the question of securing a consulting
engineer.