The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-06-29
STREET RAILWAY FARES.
The Advance From Five to Ten
Cents Discussed in the
Council.
City Attorney Mc1ntire Is Asked
to Look Into the
Matter.
Remedyine the Defect in tho Lawrence
Street OrdinaRoe-COntracta Given
Out and Other Business,


Out and Other Business.
Tho recent advance in the rate Of fare on
tho street railways from five cents to ten, OF
eight tickets for 80 cents. took up much OF
the time of tho city council at its regular
meeting last night. II oame mp on the fol-
lowing, offered by Alderman Hanlsy:
whereas, Tho street rail say corporations
operating in this city have Arbitrarily and
in defiance Of the peoples rights, advanced
their rates from Ave to 10 cents for single
fares: and this in view Of ths fact that both
franchises to tho courtesy of the city oi
Helena. represented in this council; and
Whereas, When said franchises were
prayed for by said corporations it was un-
dsrstood that the great gains which would
ultimately result to the stock holders wore
more to be considered than the question a.
to whether for few years they should
realize any great profit therefrom; and
Whereas. One Of said corporations, % q
special indueement to this colncil, in pray
ing for its franchises, laid particular stress
upon the part that only five cents should
be charged for one single fare; and said
oral statements by the authorized agents Of
this corporation were given full credsncs
by this council and great weight and were
potential factors towards gaining tho fran
chise for tho company; and
Whereas. It il almost universally true
that five cents for one single fare 10 the
maximum rate charged in nearly all cities
of the union under conditions similar to
those which exist in Helena: and
Whereas, The effect of the above mem
toned increase in fares is more directly
felt by the laboring Glasses and poor people
who are obliged to ride to and from their
work, and can ill afford this extra drain
upon their wages;
Resolved. by the city council. represent
ing all the people of Helena. of every class
and condition Of life. that the above men
toned action of the street railway corpora
tions was ill-advised and was taken with
out any regard to the welfare of the people
of this city and in direct contradiction to
the oral statements made by the represen-
tatives of the Rapid Transit company in
order to induce this council to grant il Z
franchise; and the same is. and of right
council, and We take this method Of pro-
testing against it; and
RESOLVED, That the city attorney be in
structed to take such steps in this matter
as shall insure to the people of this city
those rights and privileges which they are
entitled to by virtue of the fact that the
franchises Of the corporations spranp orig
inally from tho people themselves
Alderman jackson moved to lay the reso
lutions on the table. Alderman Fuller
called attention to the fact that the ordi-
nances granting franchises to the comrs-
MES forbid the council ordering anv reduc-
tion within five years from the time the
privilege was aiven. Alderman Morris
thought the resolutions worked an injustice
to the men who had put their money into
these enterprises whicn had never paid.
Ex-Alderman Connolly was given permis-
sion to speak. and said an examination Of
the ordinance giving franchise to the old
steam motor line would show that the COM
pany were prohibited from charging more
than 10 cents fare over it's route from the
Broadwater to the Northern Pacific depot.
The successor of the motor company had
divided the line into two, neither going be.
yond Main street. He did not think this
would charge moro than five csnts
on each of its lines, unless it allowed pas
sengers to go through from the Broadwater
to the depot. A. X. Barbour, attorney
for the railway companies. said that when
Manager Lawrence gave his promise to
charge not more than five cents he did 40
in the belief that different state Of affairs
would exist this year. As to the old motor
line franchise it would be found that it al
lowed the company to charge mot less than
10 cents over any part of its line" It
could charge as much as it saw fit for as
short distance as it pleased. No company
should be expected to run on an average ex-
pense which was moro than the average in
come: The COMPANY would give bonus Of
$4,000 year to any one who
would run the line and keep it
resolutions we're laid on tho table by yeas
Burgard, jackson. Fuller,
Howell. Morris, Hundley. Collins, Walker
and Weber; nays 3-Post. Hanley and
Harrity.
Alderman Harrity offered a resolution,
which was adopted without division. in-
and rei ors to the council in permanent
shape the present condition of all existing
street car ordinances and franchises, in so
far as they relate to the power OF the street
car companies to change existing rates of
fare"
Alderman Hanley offered another resolu-
tion lnstrucsinR the oity attorney to in
quire into the right of the Rapid Transit
company 70 charge it's present rate of fare.
1t was laid on the table by yeas 10, nays 3,
he same as on the previous resolutions
which he offered.
An ordinance was passed to correct the
omissions pointed out by Judge Hunt in
he one providing for the opening of Law
renee street. The new ordinance was pre-
pared bv City Attorney McIntire and CON
'orms to Judge Hunts decision in the case
If Richard Lockey against City Treasurer
Walker. 1t contains new section provid-
ng for the appointment by the council of
hree commissioners who are to hear ap-
,eals of property owners on ths assessments
made. The absence Of any such board of |
appeals was the defect in the original ordi- |
lance. |
The Helena Electric Light company was
he only bidder for lighting the city. They |
TO make contract on the follow
ng terms: IT for one year $lS month for |
aeh light; If for two years $l6.50; il for
hres years $l5; also to allow deductions |
or the time the lights are out as follows: |
IN one wear contract six cents an hour; two |
ears five cents; three years four CENTS The
natter was referred to the committee on
iRhts.
The contract for the Sixth ward hose
louss was awarded to j. M. Alexander and
henry Loughry for $2,375, and that for the
,lumbing on the building to the Helena
,team Heating company for $293. These
Sere the lowest bus, though IL W. Fiske
lid S2,675 for the entire work. and S2.3S2
OF the building without the plumbing. The
Al Il k,s s,,. >e