The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1919-08-04

acceptance OF TSJecIlOu OI ulus, al
ready in, for supplying two Diesel
engines and electrical equipment, also
the consideration of bids for the erec-
ton of a building to house the ma
chinery that is necessary for a COM
pletely equipped plant. 1t would pay
you to come over to the city hall to-
night and watch proceedings, for
this is critical period in connection
with your proposed new plant, the
fate of which depends pretty largely
on the action to be taken this eve
ming.
If an electric light plant cannot be
built before spring, as maintained by
the Sentinel, it will be because of will
ful delays on the part of the commits
sion, aided and abetted by the afore-
mentioned paper, that has never yet
said a good word for the plant, but
has thrown every possible difficulty
before a large body of our people
who know what they want and are
willing to pay for it.
In. its issue of August /, the Sen
tinel. states that the commission finds
the cost of a power plant and equip
ment will exceed 100000. The facts
are that bids now in show that two
engine units plus all necessary cleo
trical machinery can be bought and
laid down on the floor of the old
plant for $4,000 and the building
now being planned by the city engi-
neer could easily be modified and
thus cost less, can be erected for
preparation exactly covers the cost.
1t was Commissioner Henkin, the
most active campaigner for the
Northern States company, who re-
marked at the last regular meeting
that il mattered not ii the plant ala
cost a thousand or two over the
amount the bonds will supply. Ex-
perts who laid estimates. son the
table were positive that this.city can
produce cGrrent for Sc per kilowati
and also that the annual upkeep OF
the machinery need not be greater
than / per cent of the cost of the
same, or about 5000 to 500 pei
year.
The Northern States company's lat
est offer of a 21ac rate, a ten-yeal
term of contract and protective re-
strictions will still fail to appeal tc
those who are strictly opposed to any
thing that company may propose in
view Of the principle involved
Speaking of the meeting in Mr.
Holdridge's office a week ago today
why did not the Sentinel publish
| full report of the proceedings the
day following, or on the second sue
ceeding day, and take the public into
called TO lay down its cards. Wher
| forced to explain, it evaded publish
| ing what Mr.. Holdridge decided fol
them and what the public shoult
! know. He pointed to the fact tha
the contract between this city ant
/ the company that bought our bonds il
| binding on both parties, being legal.
made and entered into. This i'm
plies that the city may be sued fo
| breach of contract should il not full
| fill its obligations. How very mucl
better il would have looked had tn,
city commission taken the publi
! into it's confidence and called a mas
meeting to discuss reconsideration o
the plant project.
Il Again, why were not lot of othe
business men let in on that deal an,
permitted to express themselves.
n would be puerile on the part of eithe
the city commission or the Sentine
tC suppose that all of our busines
!, men have flopped for the Norther
: States proposal and gone back o.
!, their former opinions.
) There are not many people in thi
) city who care to see the present plan
remain unhoused and stand idle Will
} rusting away its value. 1t is capabl
of giving too good service for an
: event like that.
y A well equipped new plant is Gel
i tain to retire its own bonds. pay in
4 terest on them and place enoug
: earnings in the electric fund, 1
twenty years, to buy another ful
: equipment.