The Sauk Centre herald., 1919-08-14
SAUK CENTRE HAS SERIOUS
PROBLEMS TO SOLVE.

Sauk Centre has a number of SER
ious problems in a financial way
which must be solved within the next
few years. .'-.
Last weeks Herald carried the
story of the contemplated purchase o1
electricity by wholesale from the
Whitney company at St. Cloud. This
story also stated that the Light anc
Power commission did not contem-
plate selling the generating plant, but
to keep this in reserve.
In their communication to the
council the commission stated that
one of the reasons for considering the
purchase of electricity by wholesale
was that the vibration caused by the
plant was quite likely to bring about
litigation.
The rate secured from Mr.. Whitney
is a most favorable one, and the COM
mission are to be commended for the
interest they have shown in the city's
welfare. AS near as the Herald car
ascertain the citizens generally ap-
prove of this contemplated step, but
many of them desire that the COM
mission should go still farther-that
is, sell the plant and reduce the city's
Indebtedness. If the plant is menace
as it is situated at present, is there
any good reason to- believe it will
not be menace in five, ten or fifteen
years from now?
1t is a generally accepted fact that
any manufacturing plant standing
idle declines in value very rapidly
The Herald understands that Mr.
Whitney will take the plant over and
pay the city all or more than they
have invested.
Cannot the city contract with Mr..
Whitney to open negotiations for a
renewal of the contract say IL months
before the old contract expires; and
cannot the contract stipulate that the
corporation furnishing the current
will continue to do so for a reasonable
length of time after the contract ex-
pired to allow the city to install its
own plant if a satisfactory renewal
of the contract cannot be made? The
Herald believes the city had similar
contract with the mill in former
years.
Getting away from the light
proposition for a time, two very i'm
portant matters must be taken up
by the city within comparatively
short time. One of them is the
water supply. Sanitary experts have
stated to the Herald that unless
something is done and done quickly
there is grave danger of serious
epidemic here. A filter system and
standpipe will cost a snug sum OF
money; the coming of the Babcock
highway will call for paving. Under
the plan of the state, three of these
splendid highways form a junction in
this city. The Herald takes it for
granted that all municipalities will
have to take care of the paving with
in it's corporate limits.
The Herald also understands that
much of the water mains have been
laid for many years; they have lasted
longer than they were guaranteed
to last in the first place. Before
paving is laid on top of these water
mains wouldn't it be good business
to place mains in position that will
serve the city for many years to
come? All of these necessary i'm
provements will cost big money.
That being the case the Herald is
not in accord with the commission in
their intention to keep the plant. The
writer does not pose as Napole IN Of
high finance, but it appears to him
that especially in view of the heavy
financial outlay just ahead. the wise
thing to do would be to discose oi
tie lighting plant-that is. il the
city is to buy current at wholesale
reduce the bonded Indebtedness to
the extent of $4,000 of $6O,0OO and
get the decks cleared ready to make
the needed improvements to the
water system and streets.
Neither the City Council or the
Light and Power Commisson can
dispose of the plant without vote OF
the people. The plant can be sold tc
better advantage before the current
purchasing contract is signed or il
conjunction with it, than at any later
period.
This question is Of vast importance
to every citizen of the community and
the Herald would urge that the Light
and Power Commission call a mass
meeting of the citizens that the mat.
ter may be thoroughly discussed be-
fore any definite action is taken witt
Mr. Whitney or any other person 0,
corporation.-A. M. w.