New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1919-01-15
NEN ELECTRIC Unit
ASKED OF C0UINCu,
SUPERINTENDENT a. ]. MUELLER
DESCRIBES OVERLOADED
CONDITION AT PLANT
PRESIDENT KROok TURNS LIGHT
ON SHORTCOMINGS OF
CITY CHARTER

Two subjects of general interest we're
taken up by the City Council at its last
regular meeting held Tuesday evening,
> January z. They were: the overloaded
condition of the electric unit at the
municipal plant and probable radical
change in the city charter.
Need Of Immediate Improvement
According to the information given
by Superintendent A. j. Mueller who
appeared before the council in behalf
of the electric light and water plant j
during the month past the demand for
electricity has been SO heavy that he
sometimes feared the worst. More than
$4,000 kilowatts had been consumed
during that month, he said, this being
the greatest consumption in the history
of the station. There is only one engine
at the station that can furnish power
for all users of electricity at the same
time. A smaller reserve unit would,
in case Of some accident with the large
unit furnish some electric power, but
far from enough to supply everybody
To avoid any such breakdown Mr.. Muel-
Ter suggested installing a new bigger
unit which may be used alternately
with the one now in the station. IL
this should not be done before next
= - " =
winter, he said, there may possibly be
some unpleasant surprise for electricity
consumers Of New Ulm.
Another shortcoming in the electric
light and water station is that the pres
ent switchboard is not Of sufficient ca
pacity to permit the two units, the large
and the small one, to be operated to-
gether. Without going into further
details of the matter the city council,
after listening attentively to the declar-
ations of Mr.. Mueller, referred it to the
proper committee for Investigation.
New Charter Discussed.
President =. B. Krook in a lengthy
statement impressed upon the members
Of the council the necessity of radical
change in the city charter for the fu-
ture benefit of the city of New Ulm.
This was not the first time, he said,
that this important question had been,
taken up but its discussion had never
led to the desired solution. In order
not to lose sight of it again without
an earnest attempt at a realization Of
the wishes of many he suggested the
mayor and city attorney and three coun
cilors be named a committee to investi-
gate this matter and report to the
council not later than at the next regu-
lar meeting. The city attorney and
some Of the councilmen expressed them
selves in favor Of this proposal Of the.
president, the former declaring that it
would be well not to initiate the ex-
ample of some towns in Minnesota like
Sleepy Eye, for instance, that have a
charter which puts them in some mat
ters under the general law Of the state
and in others under the ordinances Of
the city making it very burdensome
in particular cases to follow the correct
course. The council finally decided to
have a committee named as proposed
by the president. The members Of this
committee are Councillors Behnke, Muel-
Ter and Filzen.
Sliding Poles for Fire Station.
Fire Chief Henry Engel appeared be-
fore the council to ask for the appro-
priation of about $105 for the purchase
of two sliding poles to be installed in
the fire station annex to the new city
hall. He was authorized to buy the.
poles and have, them put in the proper
place. The poles will be ordered from
the Twin City Machine Company in
Minneapolis.
Fighters to Receive Memorial
The idea of having a fit memorial for
those of New Ulm who fought and died
III the world war took a definite shape.
The council decided to have large
marble plate installed in the new city
hall. This is to contain the anames Of
all the soldier boys Of the city with a.
special group Of those who gave their
lives in the struggle. The memorial is
to be about 22x26 feet in size and,
besides the names Of the soldiers, will
contain the picture Of General Pershing
and an. American Flag. The cost will be
several hundred dollars.
Routine Business
Several blocks Of North Front street
seem to be in bad condition. A petit
ton ito will be circulated in the near future
for the necessary repairs.
G.. g. Robertson of st. Paul was al
lowed the final estimate Of 81 ,2O5.02 on
his contract for the installation Of the