Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1901-01-17
COUNCIL WILL MAKE
AN INVESTIGATION
ALDERMEN SAY THAT GAMBLING IS STILL BEING CARRIED ON
UNDER THE NOSES OF THE POLICE-CHEF
LAVELL ASKED TO EXPLAIN.

At meeting of the city council last
night the matter of gambling was
u, ought up in the shape of resolution.
and it was decided to have the council
as a committee of the whole make an
investigation tonight. and Chief Lavell
will be put on the rack.
The resolution recited the alleged fact
that Chief of Police I.avell had refused
to obey the orders of the city council
by fainng to stop gambling and close
dance halls and other places of vice in
the city of Butte. 1t asked that a day
be set for hearing the matter and that
the chief be required to be present to
make an explanation.
The resolution was signed by Alder
men William Page. NJ. Dempsey j. NJ.
Evans, 0. ]. Mcconnell. a. c. Congdon.
j. b. Virtue, f. D. 11lderhin. Joseph Ar
chambault and John Gleeson.
Alderman Macarthur asked if any of
the gentlemen who signed the charge
really knew that gambling was being
carried on in Butte. He said that he had
been approached on the street by two
men who followed gambling as an oc-
cupation and when asked where they
were going had replied that they were
going to Centerville to get into Il game
They had said that not a card was being
turned in Butte.
Alderman Mcconnell stated that al the
inv estigation of the chief ample evil
dence of the existence of gambling would
Ie presented. Gambling, he said. had
been going on steadily and the county
had finally taken the matter up and yes
to-day notified several gambling houses
that they would have to close
1t was decided to hold the investiga-
ton tonight before the council as a COM
mittee of the whole. and the clerk was
instructed to notify Chief Lavell to be
present.
The report of the city treasurer as
published in the Inter Mountain was
read and referred. Alderman Macarthur
stated that Treasurer Calkns intended
to make another call for outstanding
warrants in the near future.
Frank Cooney offered to compromise
his claim of $1.220 against the city for
the sum of $780, Attorney Lamb stated
that the lower court gave Cooney judg-
ment against the city for the destruction
Dt personal property and dispossession on
the part of the city which desired to
open an alley on the William Penn lode
claim. the patent for which antedated
the city's patent to the townsite by one
year. The matter, said Mr.. Lamb. was
rn appeal to the supreme court. but the
line Of decisions in these cases seemed
to be against the city where there was
a conflict between lode patents and
townste patents. What made it doubly
Lad for the city was the fact that the
only evidence of an alley on the prop
erty was the drawing of the townsite
Plat. He believed that the city would
save money by accepting the compro-
mise and if the city still desired to es-
t:blsh the alley, it could do so by con-
demnation proceedings. Referred to ju-
dietary committee.
Mr.. Page moved that the city clerk
notify the adjoining property owners
that if they wished the property con-
demned for alley purposes. to at once
petition the council to this effect Car
lied.
The offer of Larry Doyle to compro-
mise his $4,000 judgment against the city
for $4,000 was laid on the table. Mr.
Lamb recommended that the offer be
not accepted as he believed that the poll
cy of the city should be to fight these
cases vigorously and to the end.
George l.. LaDp, fire chief of the Colo
RADIO company, asked permission to es-
tablish fire alarm box at the Gagnon
ana Original mines. Granted.
Henry Heideman presented a claim
FOR Sl.295 for personal injuries for falling
into an unguarded excavation at 9O7
Utah avenue. Referred.
The Cobban, Casey, Day company Of
fcled to lease to the city for period OF
four months for $25 month lot 5Ox50
at the corner of Wyoming and Porphyry
streets. The offer was accepted and the
form of lease approved