The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-08-20
Light PLANT
DISCUSSION OF A F9REPROOF
BUILDING AT COMMISSION
MEETING LAST NIGHT.

The city commissioners met in the
city hall last evening in regular
weekly session, the proceedings of
which might properly be characterize
ed as an attempt ON the part of the
citizens and the city commission to
have a mutual understanding with
reference to the situation now facing
the city through the loss by fire of
the electric light plant.
The minutes of the last meeting
were read and approved after which
two small matters were considered
and disposed of and more serious
work approached.
A motion was made and carried
that the auditor be instructed to
purchase $50 feet of new hose to re-
place that number of feet destroyed
by the fire.
Another motion was made FOR the
purchase of another boiler for the
waterworks system. This was ap-
proved and so ordered.
1t seems that word had passed
along the line hat a large delegation
Of citizens would be present to ex-
press opinions in regard to the light
situation and also to petition the
commissioners for quick action look
ing towards the erection of a safe
building for the housing of the re-
modelled machinery and new machin-
cry that from time to time would be
added to the power plant. Several
citizens did appear and brought their
petitions before the commissioners.
Geo. III. Waskey, on behalf of in
terested citizens, addressed the COM
mission, stating that: "As a precau-
ton against another disastrous fire,
we are in favor of erecting a solid
concrete building in which to house
our prospective new electric light ma
chinery, since the citizens do not feel
safe when placing expensive machin-
cry in only a temporary enclosure
rooted over. And again, there Is not
ample fire protection in case of a
bad fire. Should a serious fire oc-
cur. II 1t were not extinguished in the
first half hour, total loss of the struc-
ture the fire attacked would ensue
because of lack of pressure after the
time mentioned had elapsed. We
have the water, but do not have the
pumps. OF course, in case of fire as
the situation is now insurance mon
ey would be forthcoming, but that
does not give us protection. AS fol
the funds for a new building, we
could issue bonds and obtain money
through the state land department
At this point l.. II. Blagen stated
that the most important thing now Is
the water supply. We are in favor
of a new building and believe the
government will release steel for the
erection of a substantial structure
and equipment for pumping. Surel,
the water supply is q necessity-w'
must have it. We could get alons
With fewer than the full number o
lights in order to use the power TO
pumping"
Commissioner Henkin: We can
do these things without money o
bonds. There is no question regard
ing the Willingness Of the government
to permit the issuance of bonds 70
covering our needs.
| Mr.. Waskey; We could cut dow
on street expense and thus rails
$4,000 or SO with which to erect
new fireproof building. We do OBJ
ject to anything but a safe building
|, and now is the opportune time f.
bringing such a proposition up TO
serious consideration. What doe
: the city engineer, Mr.. Trimmer, esti
mate for the erection of a fireproo
structure? Would not $4,000 I
$4,000 answer?
City Engineer Trimmer: Upon