The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-08-20

AoooNioh Vi Ne0t u "oaAN tAAt
$4,000 would be sufficient for al
building such as suggested, and also
for future extensions of same.
Mr.. Waskey: Now we have let
the contract for rewinding the motors
and are preparing to go to much ex-
pense to reconstruct the machinery
and add other costly equipment,
therefore. steps should be taken to
ascertain the amount needed for a
new building. Build it large enough
to take another unit and also anoth-
er pump.
Mayor Robertson: 1t appears that
there is some misapprehension I
have spent much time considering
this swhole matter. Criticism of a
serious nature has developed appar-
emily. A doubt as to the ability of
this commission, as a body, to handle
the situation now confronting the
city seems to have arisen. As for a
new building, we can't 60 into the
open market today and get required
material, and further, the labor sit
uation involved makes the PROPOSE
ton a difficult one indeed. Every
thing in the way of steel, in fact, ali
metal supplies, demands a govern
ment priority order in order to re-
lease CONSTITUTIONAL material. Had
would have been placed in a far
worse situation. Even that is only
a makeshift, but it was the best we
could do. Even temporary supplies
for that plant are procured with
great difficulty, If procured at all.
Our only problem now is the securing
of another pumping unit and an oil
engine of 500 horsepower, but Meth
err can be purchased at any price.
Again, there is no use in building un-
less we invest in an adequate modern
structure, complete in every way.
The pumps should be On concrete
bases i'm a basement and surrounded
by railing; there should be a verti-
lating system and other ~up-to-date
features. We can't approach such a
project quickly. Furthermore, we
can't erect the kind of a building
needed for $4,000. 1t takes more
than a little sand and forms thrown
together to erect a modern building,
1t takes time and labor which is cost
ly. 1t also requires materials which
are subject to government call. An
engineers plans must be drawn. In
the meantime what would we dc
while building? Some sort of hous'
ing must be had temporarily. The
citizens do not realize what this com
mission is up against. l doubt yer,
much whether insurance rates have
been boosted and policies cancelled
as has been stated in the form of in
direct criticism upon this body. AS
/, for bonds, the government is closely
, watching and supervising all bond is
sues for building projects. l will
read a communication from the Fed
. eral Reserve board of Minneapolis
! issuance of such bonds during the pc
, riod of war. Your city should man
age to get along by some temporar,
! arrangement until the war ends.
The copper market is tight. The Ia
: Bruins Electric company. of Omaha
: with a rating of $4,000, furnished
100 per cent bonds guaranteeing re
! winding of motors in 80 days, blu
> the copper involved would be subjec
to immediate call by the government
! / propose the building OF d temporar.
] structure that will last a year or tw,
until the war ends.
, Mr.. Waskey: Why not submit tn
! proposition of a new building to GU
engineer for his estimates. etc. TIL
citizens want a guarantee that In tn
near future something more than
temporary structure will be erected
: Adjournment was ordered.