The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1919-08-05
CITY COMMISSION
NORTHERN STATES PROPOSITION
DRAWN-ENGlNE con-
TRACTS AWARDED

The city commissioners met last
evening in the city hall to transact
large volume of business, much of
which related to electric light and
power matters.
After the approval of the minutes
of the preceding meeting, the treas
urer's report was read and accepted.
The next matter to be taken up
was the allowance of bills presented
! for payment, covering the general ex-
pense for the month of July. Among
| these was one presented by Sioux
| Falls officials asking the city of Mad
ison to pay $2,500 for the engine
| loaned us in our last winters emerg-
! ency The commissioners thought III
unjust TO have to buy it when the
loaning of it appeared as only a cour-
| tesy on the part of Sioux Falls, Any
way. the bill was allowed, but recon
I sidered at a postponed meeting this
/ forenoon. A unanimous vote author
/ ized the city auditor to make fun
payment on all accounts due for July.
The next thing to come up was the
reading of a petition signed by nine
| ty-sixsix qualified voters of the CITY,,
requesting that the city commission
move To reconsider the municipal
light program and acccpt the offer
made by the Northern States Power
company at Sioux Falls.
Scarcely did the reading of the last
name end before Mr.. Rafferty,, rep
Power company, came quickly 10 the
railing, audibly announcing to both
j the commissioners and the spectators
i present that his company had en-
!! powered him to withdraw all offers
and propositions made by the North
ern States Power company to the
city of Madison.
The dramatic tcnseness of that mo-
ment seemed TO have the swapping
effect of steel spring bent TO its
greatest degree of fleXion.
An interval of silence followed Mr..
Rafferty's explanations as to why his
company felt unable to enter into
contract, and it was then that the
force of his remarks began to filter
I into the consciousness of each COM
missioner, and the Sentinel man, the
latter of whom fairly crumpled with
the realization that his pet project
had received such a paralyZing de-
feat
Mr.. Rafferty, stated that industrial
conditions an dthe advanced price of
wire precluded the investment that
would be necessary to supply Mad
ison with service. He thanked the
commissioners for theri courtesy and
Immediately left the room.
This denouement and elimination
of the Northern States Power COM
, pany clears away the rubbish of pro-
longed disrossion and opens the path
for the erection and equipment of a
municipality owned and operated
q power plant.
:, Owing to the lateness of the hour
the commissioners adjourned, after
? proposing a meeting at 10000 a. m
! today.
On meeting at the city hall this
n forenoon the city commission consid
: cred the bids for supplying Diesel
: engines and electrical machinery, a:
. specified and advertised. They wisf
to build the plant and still keep with
q in the appropriation. Whatevel
f pruning could be figured was made II
the interest both of the equipmen
. and the proposed bnilding.
A motion was made and carriet
q to reconsider the allowance of $3.50
4 -intended TO pay for the en- ngine loaned
! us last winter by Sioux Falls official
. and to carry that account over unit
v the first meeting in September Thi
makes that much more money avail
# building the plant.
. Two contracts were awarded a
2 mornings meeting, one to the Busch
= Sulzer Diesel engine people of 81
f. Louis, who will furnish the two ESQ
q horsepower engines, and the other Z
. the General Electric company, O
. Minneapolis. The latter company will
6 supply the new plant with exciters
l. generators and what other electrica
machinery may be found necessar
e for a power house of the size pro
!, posed
If The only thing holding back tn
: quick erection of the plant is the lac
2 of bidders on building construction
re 1t may be two weeks before anyon
l. appears for the- building contract
|. Once this is LETT all haste will b
r. made to get the building up an
J. ready to receive the engines an
other machinery.
To insure power and light and an
ticipate eyentualities, Mayor Robert
son expects TO place In one of tn
: new Deisel engines as soon as it ca
be shipped.
The commissioners applied then
re- selves very earnestly to the problel
st before them and adjourned feelin
nj that much had hpan accom- nlished 9