The Mankato free press., 1923-07-06
ELECTRIC SPARKS
WERE SQUELCHED
Troubles Before City Coun.
Gil Smoothed Over
PEACE BIRDS THERE
Wiring, Meter Boxes and Every
thing Were Discussed
Last Night

Matters pertaining to the exten-
sion Of electric light wires to outly-
ing districts of the city occupied
the greater part of the time last
night at the city council meeting.
Patrick Henry, representing a mum
Der Of residents living in the north
end Of the city, appeared as spokes-
man for them in protest to what he
claimed was unfair on the part of the
Northern States Power company to
make electric light extensions unless
the property owners wishing the ex-
sion paid for the poles and wires
and the cost of construction of the
line. Mr.. Henry said that the com
pany had demanded of the property
owners on Sixth avenue and ada
cent streets a deposit Of from $25 to
$S5 each before any extensions would
be made. Mr.. Henry said that he
was voicing the sentiment of his
neighborS when he said that it was
an injustice. In one place, Mr.. Henry
stated. there were six home owners
who want the lights in their resi-
dences. but did not feel like paying
for the construction of the Northern
States power lines and then pay for
the service afterwards.
John Gramann, another resident
OF the north end of the city, brought
up the matter of meter boxes, which
was suggested by R. E. Brown,
manager of the Northern States
an added means of safety in resi-
danPaC He uonfad 10 ~
ordinance had been passed compel
ing people wiring their houses to put
in those safety devices. Mr. Gra-
mann was informed by the members
OF the council that no such ordi-
nance had been passed, and as far as
known there wasfRo1Aawa compelling
people to INSTALL the meter boxes.
Was Fair Proposition.
Mayor w. A. Beach assured Mr..
Henry and Mr. Gramann and those
- they represented that something
would be done at once to relieve the
electric light situation. Mr. Henry
was asked by Mayor Beach if he
thought property owners would be
willing to advance the necessary
money for the construction of the
electric light lines to their resi- =
dences, provided they were refund
ed for the cost in monthly allow
ances on their electric light and
power bills. Mr.. Henry said that
that was a fair proposition, and
that it would be acceptable. Mayor
Beach was very outspoken in his be-
lief that the property owners should
not pay for the construction of the
lines and then be compelled to pay
for the construction of the Northern
States Power company's lines.
All of this discussion occurred be-
fore the arrival of R. E. Brown. gen
eral manager Of the Northern States
Power company.
When Mr.. Brown was called upon
to explain the matter of both cleo
tric and gas extensions he soon
cleared up the cloudy atmosphere
Mr.. Brown said that several years
ago a rule had been made to make
fifty foot gas extensions free OF
charge. During the World war a
charge was made for extensions OF
that length, but now the company
was making fifty foot gas extensions
free Of charge, and just recently had
decided to make 100 foot extensions
free Of charge. In former years cleo
trio light extensions up to $50 had
UCCn lICC. bul luS Tic W dl
they had been charged for, but for
some time past that length of cleo
tric light extension had been placed
back on the free list. Just recently
the company had decided to go al
least two spans or about $50 to goo
feet free of charge and will go far
ther If there are four or five resi-
dents wish the electric light in the
places of residence
It was at this point in the discus
sion that Mayor Beach asked Mr.
Brown If he thought that it was fair
to the property owners to pay foI
the construction of the lines and
then be charged for the current. Mr.
Brown answered that as people tied
in" on the extensions, the people who
paid for the line we're refunded. Mr.
Brown said that If there were five
or six houses wished the light the
company would be warranted in
making perhaps 900 foot extensions
free Of charge.
All Is Satisfactory.
Wher asked by Mayor Beach as to
his attitude toward making monthly
refunds to electric users on eXten
sions paid for, Mr.. Brown said that
the proposition had not been put VI
to him before, but one half month
ly refund for bills for light and pow
er used, he thought, could be made
up to such a time as the property
owners got back what they put into
the construction of the lines. This
seemed to meet with the approval OF
all parties interested, and 1t now
looks as il that is settled PROPOSE
tiop.
+, The next matter taken up was
that of entrance boxes or meter
boxes, which Mr.. Brown said would
cost wholesale from S135 to $2.4O
and completely installed from $40 to
S12. Mr.. Brown explained at some
length the features of safety con
nected with those meter boxes, which
had been recommended by the state
FIRE marshal. Devices in the boxes
prevent overlooking of wires. which