The Sauk Centre herald., 1919-11-20
vExATIOUS PROBLEM SOLVED

:
After many months OF conscientious
labor, the ClCy Light ana rover
Commission with the cooperation OF
the oouncll, have solved tie l.gnU AID
power problem which has caused so
much concern.
When the city took over the light
ing system from Mr.. Whitney two
years ago a complete new generating
system was installed. The engineer
in charge of the work advised the
council that tie plant was of suffic--
ent size to meet the requirements Of
Sauk Centre for years to come. 1t
takes both of the Diesel engines t.
carry the load at its peak, and there
is prospect of much additional busl-
ness in sight.
Either the foundations for the en-
gines were not properly installed or
the soil is such that it will not permit
a solid foundation. There has been
a continual and annoying vibration fol-
several blocks in the vicinity of the
plant. This has resulted in threaten
ed suit for permanent injunction ami
damages unless the menace was re-
moved.
The Light and Power Commission
did not fancy the idea of putting the
city to the necessary expense of erect
inc new power house on site suffi-
ciently solid to house the generating
plant; neither did thew care to ask fo1
bond ies-e to f''rrieh finds for The
enlargement of the plant.
There seems to be q wide variance
of opinion as to whether mrnicipal'N
controlled plants have ever paid. The
city has several thousand dollars in
sinkirg fund as earnings from tn.
plant. but efficiency exrerts afte' q
careful survey insist that the plant
has been actually been operated at a
loss, when depreciar,on is taken Into
consideration. claiming that this loss
will increase each year.
The Light and Power Commission
set about several months ago to see if
power could not be purchased from a
high tension company. Bids were
submitted by the Little.Falls corpora
tion ard by the company controlled
by A. G. Whitney VI st. Cloud. The
Whitney bid was accepted at joint
meeting of the Council and Light and
Power Commission last Friday eve
ming.
The new contract will be effective
Dec. 81, 1919, and Will run for nv.
years. The Light ,and Power Com
mission are to be commended for the
very low rate secured. The Sauk
Centre rate is very advantageous. So
much so in fact, that the Light and
Power Commission can furnish the
service to the citizens at the present
rate and leave a. snug surplus in the
treasury to care for light and power
bonds outstanding.
The Herald has been of the opinion
that the wisest policy would be to
sell the plant outright and use the
money secured for other badly need
ed public improvements. 1t is well
known fact that any manufacturing
plant standing idle will detoriate
more rapidly than plant of the
same character in active operation.
On the other hand the Light and
Power Commission and many of the
citizens insist that the plant standing
idle is a mighty good thing to have
as weapon to keep the rates right
The Herald publishes the entire
contract entered into with Mr.. Whit
ney elsewhere in the news section OF
the paper and we are quite certain
that if the citizens study this con-
tract carefully they will arrive at the
conclusion that in awarding the con-
tract to Mr.. Whitney the Light and
Power Commission and the Council
have acted for the best interests OF
the city.