Little Falls herald., 1900-09-28

= The figures are misleading. as they
were intended to be. Take the figures on
flushing sewers, which Martin calculates
ct the old rata OF $40 per mouth, while
nr. Beraey will acknowledge that be said
he would hare done the flushing for 325
per month, or 33, 900 less than Martini q
figures. For care Of fire alarm Martin
puts dawn q, 400, when be knows that
he ueed protest against the absurdity
Eof paving the company so per month
for work that could be, and had been,
done BY the ianltor OF the city hall.
>Janitors= John Mcdonald. los. Hennen
and Mr.. Coleman, in his first year ,as
jAniror, did the work and did it well,
without extra charge. The company
was gwen $40 per month only as one Of
the numerous ''jobs" it worked on the
city through subservient council. So
that this reduction 70, taking care OF the
fire alarnl-s2, ,4O0-is simply wind, Tor
the city can do that work without ex-
ira cost.
The company promised at the time the
original contracts were made to give
the water for flushing and sprinkling,
free, although it was not done; now it is
gift
Martin said that, according to the
proposition. the company would receive
$5,S72 per year for flushing sewers; care
fire alarm, street sprinkling, lighting
city hall, So hydrants, 26 arc lamps,
and 2fountains. He neglected to state
that alter 1914, when the contract will
have 6 years still to run, the city will
have to pay for the twelve hydrants no "
free at the rate OF $50 per year each.
which makes $5, ,760 more to pay, which
Mr.. Martin very conveniently forgot.
These II hydrants are ''free.'' because
the city gives water power due it, to the
company IN exchange, but the limit ex-
pires In 1914. and the city will then, ac-
cording to the agreement, pay at the
regular rate for them. Mr.. Berkey did
not b ave this in his first proposition,
but it was not forgotten IN the agree
ment passed Wednesday night. 1t is
evident, that Mr.. Schleusener's remark
that Martins figures were incorrect and
misleading, was full OF truth, MARTA
also exhibited his legal lore. He
said that the case had cost a great DEAL
that if it went to the supreme court
nothing but the question OF Jurisdiction
would be the ground, that whichever
way the supreme court decided, the cases
; would have to come back to the district
court. etc. The special counsel for the
s city, Mr. Calhoun, - holds the opposite.
view: He and the firm be consulted, Rus
sci. 15cay 4 Jameson, held that other
questions besides Jurisdiction could en-
ter into the appeal. The statement that
the legal firm would charge $1,000 for
it's opinion, was made by Martin, with
the intention OF influencing the people.
He had no ground for it whatever, as
the firms previous bill OF $3.50 included
a variety of services. But Martin was
80 anxious to help his new friends, that
anything went.
Mr.. Nichols called on some people pres
ent to express themselves, and G. A.
Weyerhaeuser, who has from the begin
ming been friend Of the company, and
Senator Buckman. who has been on
every side Of the question, and F. F. Tur-
| H., H. oil
the company's wishes should be re-
spected.
i John Wetzel thought the provision re-
lating to II hydrants to the mile ought
to be modified.
i C. E. Vasaly asked that time be given
the people to look into the matter. A
question so important should not be set
tied in a rush. Most of the speakers,
even though they thought the PROPOSE
tion fair, believed that the people ought
to have chance to consider it. Mr..
Vasaly said there was nothing in the
proposition favorable to municipal ow-
nership or to private consumers.
F. E. Cawley thought the offer fair
but said there should be more time for
consideration.
Mr.. Scheusener said the cases should
be appealed.
Several others asked for more time.
The council answered the requests for
more time by accepting the proposition,
MORN having left the table and Moeg-
lein not voting. Mr.. Lane was absent.
Tuesday the counsel for the litigants
met with the committee OF Martin, Nor
rim and Mecusker, and made an agree
ment, which was presented to the conn
Gil Wednesday and is az follows:
The Little Falls Electric & Water
company having made to this body a
proposition 1or compromising and
settling the litigation pending he
tween said company and the city of
Little Falls.