The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-04-12
ECONOMY IS IN THE AIR.
The Council Has Several PROPOSE
tons to That End Now Be-
fore Them.
Alderman Weber Wants to Look
Ahead in the City Water
Question.
Mayor Curtin Suggests n Reduction OF
Some Salaries, Including His Own
Other Council Business.

The question of ~economizing on city OK
psnses for the coming year. and for future
years as we'll, formed n large part OF the
proceedings of the city council at last
nights meeting. The first thing that came
up on the subject was the following, offered
by Alderman Weber: "Wherens. the OK
penae Of supplying the city with water 1or
fire and sewerage purposes has reached a
sum far in excess of that which IL city the
size of Helena can afford to pay. Not only
has the expense for water reached u large
sun (about $25. 900 a year,, but each year
adds still more to the cost to the city.
More than onc-ffth of the total revenue OF
the city 10 paid out for water and light. II
Ia evident to all that something should bs
lone to relieve the city from this burden
While we oil realize that the water problem
will not be solved until the city purchases
it's own waterworks, and while we 1eel
that under our present charter ~ 10 lmpos-
sible to obtain them. we must do the bess
we can under the existing circumstances
The contract between the city and the TEL
ena Water company expires Jan.
%. 1895. If the council waits
until n short time before the
expiration of the contract before
making eff orts to secure cheaper water, it
is very evident that it will fail. In order to
secure competition bids must be invited
early enough to give the successful bidde
(f it bs other than the present water com
panyl J. time to bring the water into the city.
lay water mains. ETC., before Jan. ~, $780,
which, l have been informed, vii! require
from fifteen TO eighteen months under
favorable circumstances. If bid are In
yited within the next few month l have
assurances that there will be offers to sup
ply the city with water other than from the
present contracts. conditional upon recelv-
ING a franchise from the council TO lay
water mains, etc. It is we'll known that
there are many portions OF our city WIN.
out water, and the council does not feel
able to supply the needs of our people; and
also that there are many miles of mains
laid that are of no use to anyone. II a
new supply of water is brought into the
city. the mains can be so distributed as to
give all of our citizens an ample sup
ply and still not have az many miles OF
mains or as many hydrants as at present
Therefore be ii
''Resolved, That the city engineer and
fire marshal be and they are hereby in
structed to make the necessary surveys and
location Of MIGRANTS to supply the CITY
with water for fire, sewerage and domestic
purposes.
been completed and th- locations for by
drants selected the CITY attorney be and no
is hereby instructed to draw ~ the neces-
sary contract for supplying tho CITY with
water for fire. sewerage and domestic pur-
poses for a period OF years commencing
January 20. 1895, and submit the same to
the council"
The council was nearly ready to adjourn
when the matter was Submitted. 1t was
referred to the committee on water. Inc
council was still nearer adjournment when
Mayor Curtin asked them to wait d few
minutes while he submitted the folio wing:
Upon tho eve of a new administration
regard it as oppottune to refer to the mat
ser of compensation of officers and en-
gloves of the city for the ensuing year.
The conditio.s of the different interests OF
this city are srch in my judgment as tc
warrant g recommendation looking to 6
reduction in salaries. The burdens during
the past year have been unnecessarily
heavy, between our auditorium and open
ing Lawrence street, paving. additional fTt
apparatus and buildings, expense inoiden
so the several conventions held here las
summer. the extraordinary expenditures In
tEs street dc. srtrent growing out OF tn
capital contest, etc.
y he burdens on this taxpayers have beer
heavy indeed. Now these are all DISPOSED
q, il Is our duty. as far as possible. to af
ford ali possible relief to those who bea'
tie burden, the taxpayers, large and small
Therefore, ] would recommend that chap
to. 4, artic.e {, section !. revised ordinances
and ordinances n and 50, amending sectio!
!, be amended go as to read as follows:
Mayor. pc: annum. $3.50, CITY clerk an
attorney. per anaum, 81 i00, city marsha
$1,000. city engineer $1,000, building in
gnectpY RI IN ritV dzteotIyz 81 On In ef
feet from and after May /.
I'LL be salary of the fire marshal and tn
street commissioner, ! regard as quito loV
enough for competent men. ! regard tn
salaries Of aldermen as quite low enough
! make no reference to the salar
of the incoming city treasurer, no
10 his commissions, nor 20 the salary OF tn.
police magistrate, for the reason that tn
present compensation existed at the tim
they were elected to their respective offices
Why | refer this matter to the presen
council is that action may be taken at ono
so that the applicauts for positions uude
the new Administration may understand
In advanc" mat what they are to receive 70
their respective services"
Alderman Fuller started the objection
to any reduction III the mayors salary. II
said if Il MAYOR of Helena wasn't wort
$500 he wasn't worth anything. Butte pai
lH mayor $1,000, and he believed othe
cities, smaller than this, paid rs muct
Alderman Lissner's objections ran in til
same general line. Alderman Nor is wen
even further. He c~ompI.mented the mayo
on the rigid application lie had given +,
city gttalEs during the pRet year. and II
GREETED that Illness during the recent can
paiRn prevented him telling his opinion o
that subject. He also spoke highly of IL
services rendered by the city clerk aud a
torncy, and declared that language VAS IL
adequate to express his opinion OF the goo
wotk of that officer and of the mayo
Alderman Weber also believed in payir
good %salarles and securing good and con
petent officers. The mayor stated that ii
affairs of the city were in such shape no
that things would run very smoothly M
the business required of the officers WouI
be lighter during the coming year. ~
matter was referred to the committee c
WAYS and means and judiciary, to report
q special meeting on tuesday, night mex
City treasurer Walker submitted his Il
pert for March. 1t shows the condition
the several funds 10 be: General-receip
SIG. go. 40. Disbursements s., 537. 81, balgn,
ON hand S1,4a2.58. Fire Department.
CENTS Sl3, 20S. SO, disbursements : 3,05i. 7
balance On hand $40 1884. Street,
ceipt s., 927. G., disbursements 81, 8l5. &c. ba
ance 81, 81. Interest and sinking
ceipts 1923, 592. II. disbursements Sl0.Ol
balance $l3,577.1l Lihrary-receip
S30O.5o, Disbursements SOB 81. balan
aS6,hS. Saver tund-receIpts $3.50. 81. /
disbursements. Dog luud-recelpts So. Z
no disbursements. The balances chow
above, with =. GS5 30 to the credit of ii
Lawrence street fund, and $4,000 invest,
for the sinking fund, makes u balance
credit of the city of S45, 63l. Oh. anoth