The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1932-07-14
Council Calls Election

Continued from Page II
successfully compete with electric
cooking at two cents per K. w. H.
The gas may be used economically
for cooking, hot water heating, gas
refrigeration, space heating and for
any other purposes that heat may be
used.
The action taken by the city coun-
Gil in calling this election is the cul-
mination of the consideration of many
different propositions for modern and
adequate service for Redwood Falls.
Mayor Thorp and two Of the aldermen
have visited Wahpeton, North Dakota
and Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, and
other towns served with gas from De-
troit Lakes under the proposed plan.
From the investigation, it appeared
that the operation of these Propane
plants, both in the city of Detroit
Lakes and the outlying towns, was
very satisfactory, and that the popu-
lation in general was satisfied with
the type of service rendered and the
cost of it. Mayor Thorp and Record
er Forbes have made other trips to
investigate other gas plants and
particularly in respect to the posi-
bility of Redwood Falls receiving ma
tural gas service. Mayor Thorp
states that in talking to representa-
tives of the Natural Gas Company
that are bringing it into Minnesota,
that they are interested in bringing
gas to the Redwood Falls territory,
but that it would probably be four or
more years before it could be done,
but that if the city decided to install
Propane gas system, that the sys-
tenn would be Of the type that they
| would like to connect to their natural
gas pipe line, and that they would
prefer that the city had Propane
gas plant in operation prior to their
bringing natural gas, because II II
was ever brought, there would be an
immediate load developed for the
use of natural gas through the use OF
Propane gas, which in reality is COM
pressed, iquifed natural gas.
Mr.. Bankers company originally
asked for franchise for the use OF
the city's streets and alleys to install
own and operate Propane gas sys-
tenn, and there was apparently some
sentiment against granting a fran
chise to outside interests, and IN view
of this, Mr.. Bankers company made
it clear to the city council that il
there was a sentiment for municlpa
ownership in Redwood Falls, that
deal could be made whereby the city
could build and own a gas system anc
an agreement made whereby the com
pany could use the storage facilities
of the city's gas plant in receiving
and storing of the Propane gas II
tank car quantities for distribution tt
the towns in the outlying districts, ane
that it would be an economy to ust
one investment for two purposes
which would result in saving to the
company and the city. Discussion OF
this subject has resulted in the two
definite propositions now before the
city council which is being submitted
in this straw vote election, and thu
city council is very anxious to get the
consensus of the people as to which
method the public desires.
Briefly, the two propositions before
the city council are as follows:
First: Shall the city grant q
\ - o,1fc lido inforQcfc tt
construct, own and operate plant!
If this is done, it would mean thai
outside interests would make the In
vestment to build the system. They
would have complete control Of the
operation of the business, however
under the approval of the city council
as provided by law. The company
would receive all Of the revenue ane
profits from the sale Of gas in Red
wood Falls. The city would receive
taxes on the property which woule
probably be between $1,000 and 81 zoo
a year. It would be part of the
operating expenses of the company
and would be included in making
rates. Investigation of the operations
of the similar system at Detroit
Lakes, Minnesota which is owned BY
a private company, indicates that the
average rate per customer per month
for all types of large and small Gus.
toners, is $3.74, and based on sat
uration of one gas customer in ter
population in Redwood Falls woult
produce q. gross income Of over Sill
600 per year. This is based on 25s