The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-10-14
mo- MORE MOTOR Line.
The Council Decides to Grant II tho
Right TO Use Elec-
tricity.
Protest az to Part OF the
Route OF the Exten-
sion.
TAe Board Of Equalization Concludes Its
I.ahors and lakes Some Btg Re-
duotions-Other Matters.

The motor franchise came MP In the city
council last night on the report Of the COM
mittes Oh streets and alleys, who recon-
mended that 1t be granted. provided tbs
whole line, including the addition, be ope-
rated BY electricity. Alderman Reecs pre-
ssnted 1 protest from r. G. Power, A. ].
HeliRman, w. Il. Cox, Hugh Galen, s. 7.
Hauser, q. X. Wells and others against tho
proposed addition going N Harrison ave-
rue. He said this protest was not intended
to defeat the enterprise, which should be
encouraged. The objection was to using
one Of the principal streets on the west
side. II tho franchise we're granted it
would leave only thirty feet Of roadway.
The line. he thought, could como up Law
rsnos street and down Monroe avenue,
where there was no objection. Some Of the
most beautiful residences ia the city had
been built IN Harrison avenue with the
idea that there would never be any railway
on the street.
J.. II. Lawrence, on behalf Of the motor
railway people, said the line had never been
a success with steam. The people who had
built it and run ii at a loss were now able
to buy it through the court. They were
willing to put up the necessary money,
which the Helena people never were, to
make it a good road. They intended to
equip II with electricity and make it a great
enterprise. II they got the franchise they
expected to have fifty men at work by noon
to-day and the line running by January !,
weather permitting. The city was always
asking for outside capital. but the moment
the people came forward with their money
to do this they were net with a protest. u
was proposed TO equip the line
with the finest cars in the market and
charge only five cents fare on each side Of
Main street. Mr.. Lawrence said he was
authorized to say that Gov. Hauser had
asked Mr.. Power three times to q X his
name off the protest. A. j. Seligman'S
property was not on the line. The interest
Of the masses must control, and an enter
prise should not stop because it passed
some house which cost a few more dollars
than another. @
g. C. Newman, attorney for the protest
ants, was heard. He said according to Mr..
Lawrence the prosperity of the city de-
pended on this little branch line. The
people on Harrison avenue felt that they
should not be regarded an criminals be-
cause they lifted their voices against it.
The company was not going TO build on
that street 80 much for the good Of the city
as because they thought it would pay.
Ths report OF the committee was adopted,
Alderman Rescs alone voting nosasAldsr-
men Morris and Thompson were absent.
ordinance committee. IT contained a pro-
vision for I rails, to which the mayor said
he objected, and q clause providing for ten
cent fares in the city for five years. after
which it was to be reduced to i've cents.
IL was explained that the ten cents meant
ave on each side Of Main street. The fran
chlse and the route IS considered settled
now, the only question being as to the
details.
The streets and alleys committee reported
in favor of having the grading Of Broadway
and the opening Of Lawrence street made
the special order for a meeting to be held
next Tuesday, at which citizens generally
will be invited to give their views. The
committee were favorably inclined toward
the grading of Broadway. provided it could
There were conflicting reports in regard to
the cost, the committee say, and for that
reason they ask for the special meeting.
The report was adopted.
Street Commissioner Kluge reported the
amount expended for labor during the
month S., 292. 20. In regard to the rock
crusher he stated that it would crush on an
average about fifty cubic yards a day. The
cost of crushing. hauling and spreading on
the streets is from so cents to a dollar a
cubic yard, according to the distance it has
to be hauled. "a good beginning for per
manent improvements on the Streets" he
says, has been made, and II followed up
systematically will soon prove the purchase
of the crusher q very good Investment"
The report Of City Clerk Craven showed
warrants amounting TO $24,745.ol drawn
standing $137, 1862.
Police Judge Sanders reported 121 cases
heard and 1897 collected in fines, costa and
forfeitures.
. 3 Building ! Inspector MoNally reported
The report of City Marshal Sims showed
121 arrests for city ~otfenses and fifteen for
OffenseS against state laws. The prisoners
performed 112 days labor.
The city marshal was instructed not to
allow more than three hacks to stand in
not more than two OF them belonging to
one person.
The street commissioner was directed to
do something with the smooth sidewalks,
either by chipping or covering, to make
them safe.
Mayor Kleinschmidt asked the committee
on light to consult with the electric COM
pany and see if some arrangement cannot
be made with the electric company to place
incandosoent lights of say fifty candle
power on dark streets.
Among the bills allowed we're the follow
ing: Water company, 5$2.O06; electric light
company, $1,O78: board Of prisoners, SIG.
r. X. Purcell appeared before the council
in regard to the claim of Patrick Farrell
for damages by the death Of q horse which
fell into a trench on Helena avenue. II waa
referred to the proper committee.
The Sixth ward sewer was ordered con-
tinued on Harris and Lyndale streets to the
water outlet, at a cost Of 5000 more. a
The council sat az q board of equaliza-
ton for the last time. G. w. Cannon made
a protest re inst his assessment on the
Cannon addition. He had owned the
property for ten years and had donated the
streets to the city. Some five months ago
the property was fenced in and Is now in
litigation. It was assessed for $l82, l45 for
the lots and $27,5 $50 for the acreage, a total
OF $209,695. He thought 100000 would be
high enough under the circumstances. The
assessment was reduced to that amount.
The assessment ON the Corbin addition was
reduced from 100000 to 100000, at the
request of Peter Winnie. Last year it was
assessed ut 100000, and Mr.. Winnie
thought the increase to $780, 900 too much.
Other smaller reductions were made, in
cluding that of Alderman Lissner on his
State street property, which was assessed
for $4,000 II was made $11,000
Mayor KleinR0hmidt said during the pro-
ceedincs thai he wished the council could
reduce the taxes. He WAS satisfied q great
injustice Was Icing done. The people were
com plaining. He did not soc that the city
would need all the money it would get.
About $1,000 0 would be realized. This
with the s240,000 that the county would
get, would make nearly half a million to
come out of the peoples pockets.
The council udopted tho reaolution Ia ey-