Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1921-04-20

There is every prospect that the de-
mand for electric energy will continue
to increase.
The Water & Light Commission has
shown commendable zeal during the
past year in efforts to solve the coal
handling problem at the plant Sever
al plans were proposed but none prov
ed to be feasable with conditions as
they are. The conviction has been
growing with the Water & Light Com
mission that further additions and
patching up of the old plant would be
waste of money, and that a new
generating plant equipped with the
latest improved machinery on a scale
that will care for the growing bust
ness be erected on some site near the
railroad where coal might be un!oaded
by mechanical means and be fed un-
der the boilers by, mechanical stokers
The plans, we understand, do not con-
template the removal of the water
plant from its present location, the
pumps of which are operated by cleo
trio power. Plans for this important
Improvement are being considered by
the Commission and will likely at an
early date be submitted to the city
council asking that the question be
referred to the people of the city for
their approval.
Another Railroad Bridge
The petitions and agitation for an
additional overhead bridge to safe
guard the constantly increasing ira
fic between the north and south sec
tions of our city over the railroad
fro oh int n
anything tangible. With the expected
development of traffic over the GlaZier
Park Trail and increase of local ira
ffic including that to the fairgrounds
a satisfactory solution of this prob
lem must be sought and pushed thru.
Lake Improvement
Willmar, as the gateway to the
most beautiful cluster of lakes in Min
nesota, must not neglect the lake
within it's city borders. Foot Lake
should be improved and the lake front
be made presentable. Over eight
hundred feet of lake shore has been
acquired by the city during the year
by the plating of Lakeside Addition,
towards future boulevard along the
lake front. A consistent policy should
be adhered to in this respect with the
view of eventually having a drive Sc
cured around the lake combining a
system of parks. Pollution of the wa
tiers of the lake from parts of old
sewers, private residence cesspOols,
and discharges Of oils from the round
house have been the subject of inves-
tigation. by the city council during the
past year, and action should be- taken
to abate the nuisance. With fair
chance, the waters of Foot lake will
be as wholesome as those of the lakes
from which the supply flows into it..
Police Department
With increasing demands for en-
forcement Of ordinances and growth
the executive branch of our city gov
eminent, an addition to the police
force seems necessary If efficiency is
to be attained. The city charter linn
it's the number Of police officers that
may be engaged to one for each thou
sand inhabitants. Willmar has no
more regular police now than it had
thirty years ago with one-fourth of
it's present population. My sugges~
ton would be that as soon as pract-
icable another officer be added and
that the downtown district be patroll~
ed in eight hour shifts.
In cooperation with the county au-
thorities, a volunteer gun squad of
marksmen employed downtown is be-
ing organized the members of which
will be available for public safety in
case of an emergency.
The City Scale
In the matter of restoring the city