Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-07-25
KERR|Ck WILL
GET CURRENT
Minnesota Power and Light
Co. Lines Are Being Con-
tinued From Bruno.
More Rural Extensions to
be Made Where Three
Farmers to Mile.

After several years of inactivity in
the way of extending electric lines
out into rural districts the
depression-the Minnesota Power and
Light Company is now embarking
upon bigger experiments in that line.
w. j. Wilkinson, division manager
at Cloquet, and Fred d. Vibert, agri-
cultural and industrial agent of the
Minnesota Power and Light Company,
with headquarters in Duluth, were
in Pine county Monday. The gentle
men stated that officials OF the COM
pany had decided to extend their lines
out to a number of farmers in Pine
and Todd counties. Surveying is also
being done with that in view in Carl
ton and Morrison counties. Over IN
Todd county a 80 mile farm line
will be built out of Hewitt and a
615 mile line out of Clarissa-
Supplies have been ordered and
some of the equipment, including
poles, has already arrived at Kerrick,
for the mile extension from Bruno
to Kerrick- The direct line from
Bruno to Kerrick is miles and there
will be a mile of poles and wire at
Kerrick. Bruno has had electric
service for many years, it having
been installed in that community
shortly after AskOv got it in 1915,
but the service will be a new and well
come improvement at Kerrick where
q business firms and individuals have
SipDp6 I'M for the service
Work on the high line from Bruno
to Kerrick is being commenced this
week. The main line will be oper-
ated at $500 volts between Bruno and
Kerrick, which is ample voltage to
carry all the load that will be needed
for years to come. The main line
of the Minnesota Power and Light
Company along highway No. 81, the
pavement, carries $4,000 volts.
See Economic improvements.
In an interview with the Askov
American Mr.. Wilkinson and Mr..
Vibert stated that with the improve
ment in the general economic outlook
the company has been encouraged to
go on with the building of more farm
lines and hence the eXtentions in
Pine county. The gentlemen ap-
peared optimistic concerning the flu
ture outlook for this territory. They
stated that with a new trunk highway
from Askov on through Bruno. Ker-
rick. Duquette. Nickerson and other
communities on up to Duluth it looks
like better times for this section.
They had pleaded with officials of
their company at Duluth for the ex-
tension of rural lines in Pine county,
arguing that there are more farmers
per section here than in most other
counties serviced by the Minnesota
Power and Light Company.
The power company representatives
stated that while electrical m waterfalls
used in the construction of service
lines have come down in price it is
still an expensive proposition to put
up poles and wire and that a trans
former is needed for every three or
more farms to be served.
The company will serve farmers
between Askov and Kerrick where
there are three or more farmers per
mile. The minimum charge has been
reduced to $3.50 per month. which
also entities the user to 80 kilowatt
hours without extra charge. Mr.. vi
bert stated that the federal govern
ment will loan money to farmers for
the purchase of electrical appliances
and the expense of wiring buildings.
The money is loaned for five years
at 80 per cent interest. Application
for the loans must be made direct
to the Rural Electrification Admin
istration at Washington. ID. c.