The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-09-26
THE CITY FATHERS MEET.
They Sit as Board of Equalization
and Hear Only One Com
plant.
No Action to Be Taken Until the
County Board is
Through.
More Additions to the Fire Department
The Seventh Ward to Receive
Attention.

An adjourned meeting of the city council
was held last night. The council was to
meet as a board of equalization on the city
assessment. but only one complainant put
in an appearance. The board of trade res
olution was read. Mr.. Hillebrecht of the
Klelnschmldt Mercantile company COM
planned that his property, consisting of four
lots on the Northern Pacific right Of way
was assessed last year at 1000 and this year
has been raised to S8.COl: he said that Bach
Cory d Co.'S seven lots adjoining him were
assessed at only $500. He returned his
stock of goods in the warehouse at two
thirds the value of $4,000 and the assessor
raised it to $4,000. He said that Bach
Cory d Co. carry q much larger stock than
they do and were put down for only $40, 600.
Alderman Steele moved postponement
of any consideration on these matters until
the council could learn what the commits
sioners were going to do. If they make a
harizontal reduction he said that would Of
feet the amount of revenue the
county should pay to the county
and state. while Oh the other hand the city
council could either leave the assessment az
it is, or if a reduction is made it would be
necessary to increase the tax levy. He did
not think the taxpayers could raise any OBJ
lection to the city levy. as a tain amount
of revenue has to be raised to conduct the
ci9y government, and if the horizontal cut
is made the council will necessarily have to
increase the tax levy. which is now five and
one-half mills. BY, the new method
of assessment the poor man
derives the benefit. The matter
thorcfora ,,oafnuup1 until bo raon1t ne
the county commissioners session is ascer-
tanned.
The old proposition of II. S. Hale to
deed to the city certain strip of ground
on Main street, near Lawrence, in order to
straighten that street. and which PROPOSE
ton was based upon certain conditions,
among them being, provided, that A. M.
Hotter gives upa strip of his land, was
brought up for consideration. Mr.. Hale
was present and desired to have the matter
settled as he is now engaged in building on
the land he proposes to give the city. In
the city, the matter was deferred and Chair
man Thompson, of the street and alley
committee, promised to have def
mite report next meeting. If
the thing cannot be amicably ad-
justed between the property owners and
the city, Alderman steele recommended
that the street be widened out and straight.
ened under process of condemnation.
Business men of North Main street petit
toned the council to have the gas pipes
now strung out in front of their stores re-
moved, as il has been learned that there is
no prospect of the company removing them
for the next two nlonths, and III their pres
emit condition interfere with their business.
The petition WAS granted and the city
marshal ordered to remove them at the ex-
pense OF the gas company. if they refused
to take them away. The city engineer re-
nnrtp6 TINT tho 1asaaa Of ho
had been closed out by the sheriff and he
could not find any record of who his bonds
men were. The matter was referred to the
city clerk.
Since Alderman Theme at the last meet
ing obtained q great deal from the council
for his ward in the matter of fire equip
ment, aldermen of other wards desired some
thing, and Alderman Dunn, of the Seventh,
said his ward was growing rapidly, and is
now the most populous ward in the city, ana
has but very little fire protection. In ad-
dition to this, the new ienox addition is
rapidly building up with costly residences
that will need fire protection, and he rec
commended that the mayor appoint COM
mittee of three to negotiate for lot, and
and that a hose house be built and properly
equipped; and that a horse and hose cart be
provided. The motion WAS carried and the
mayor appointed Aldermen Dunn, Steele
and Lissner on the committee
Alderman Spencer said the city owned
lot 16x10O next to the county Jail and he
thought if properly approached the county
commissioners would buy lot for the city
"a the Seventh ward in exchange for the
old one. He had spent some time investi-
eating the ownership of the lot and felt
rather sore when the mayor did not place
him on the committee.
Alderman Lissner said that the CITY has
fire department which is nearly complete;
it cost about S15, 600 ard few more adj.
tions would complete it. He urged the me-
cessity of additional FIRE alarm boxes in the
city and moved that the following appara-
tus be purchased: Three boxes in the Sew
enth ward, two in the Sixth, one in the
Third and one in the Fourth wards; also
two additional station gongs. On motion
Fire Marshal Worth was instructed to pur-
chase them.
Alderman Theme reported tina. the pub
lie building committee was not ready to re-
port on the improvements needed on the
Fifth and Third ward engine house and rec
commended that committee be instructed to
have the necessary repairs made. The COM
mlttee WAS SO instructed.
The city engineer made a report ON the
work done in removing certain obstacles
from the sidewalk on jackson street, on the
h.elnschmidt property and the cost of lay
ing an asphalt sidewalk. The total expense
was S41 .65 and it was charged up to Mr..
kleinschmldt's assessment, and it was or
dered that Il sidewalk be laid in front of his
property on Grand street the cost to be
charged up IN the same manner. On mo-
ton of Alderman iissner the nine dollars
for building permit for the Jewish syna-
gogue was RENTED.
Alderman Thompson WAS on hand last
night, but the Sunday closing movement
was not mentioned
The Bee Hive has had phi onograph placed in
theif store sor the neneht of their lady custom
Belknap Indian Reservation.