The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-03-21
WILL Get FREE LIGHTS
If Franchise Is Accepted Library and
City Hall Lighting Cost
Nothing.
From Wednesdays l,ai1y Gazette.

president Connolly presided at last
nights meeting Of the city council.
The bond of the Norris Safe and
Lock company was favorably reported
by the committee and approved.
Further time was granted in the mat
ter Of reporting on the bond Of the
Archambo Heating company.
Faycrable report having been made
on the petition for an extension of the
water service in North Twen1v-ninth
street between Fourth and Seventh
avenues, north. the same was adopt
ed
The bill for an ordinance granting
a franchise to the Citizens Electric
company was read in an amended
form. Under it's provisions the com
pany is granted the right to construct
and maintain not only an electric
lighting and power plant, but also
construct and operate gas and steam
heating systems. The privilege Of
electing which of the systems it is to
construct is left with the company.
Another amendment made since the
lats reading of the bill requires the
company to light free of charge the
city hall and public library. Provision
is also made for maximum charges to
consumers for lights.
The ordinance committee econ
mended adoption of the ordinance in
it's amended form.
Berky moved adoption Of the report
and passage of the ordinance.
Before the motion could be put
Chris Yegen in behalf of the company
objected to the clause requiring the
company to supply the city hall and
public library free Of charge. He said
that in view of the cut made in rates
to private consumer the company
could not we'll afford to give the city
light for nothing.
Alderman White thought if the fran
chise was worth anything to the hold
ers they could we'll afford tt furnish
the light. Berky was of the same
~oinion and fully agreed with White.
Mr.. Yegen said he would agree to
furnish either the library or city hall
with free light If the Billings Water
Power company would furnish the
other.
Mr.. Rowley of the old company said
his concern in putting in the street
lighting syste munder it's short charter
had paid enough already and should
not be asked at this time for more.
Mr.. Yegen made another offer in
which he agreed to furnish free light
for either the city hall or library.
President Connolly said that mas
much as the ordinance had been IA
vorably recommended and its passage
moved it would either have to be with
drawn and re-referred or put to a vote
in its then form.
To end the discussion Berky with
drew his motion for adoption, his Sec
ond, Thorson. conserving, and moved
another reference.
This evoked an objection from Mr..
ASfS1 oGSuuoS VI u looo III t1lAC
such a move would entail upon his
company. The spirit of Cancellation
was in the air and the president de-
clared a recess of five minutes to en-
able the aldermen to talk the matter
over an darrive at some conclusion.
Upon reconvening of the council
Berky renewed his first motion and
the ordinance was put upon it's pas
sage. The roll was called and all the
aldermen voted aye. The ordinance
was declared adopted.
Under the provisions of the ord
nance the charter of the company has
a life of 20 years. Three months are
allowed to make written acceptance
of the franchise and IL months in
which to construct which ever system
it chooses to erect. A bond of $4,000
is required as a guaranty that all re-
quirements of the franchise will be
complied with.
The finance committee reported the
annual appropriation ordinance.
White moved as an amendment to
the ordinance that the pay of the chief
of the fire department be raised from
$25 to SIS per month. Reynolds sec
onded the amendment and when put
to a vote it prevailed unanimously.
The amended ordinance was now put
upon its passage and was adopted
without a dissenting vote.
The respective amounts a%ppropriat-
ed are as follows:
Public library, $1,000; fire repart-
ment, $4,000; hydrant rental, s $4,000;
electric lights, $4,000; street and side
walks, $1,000; fuel, stationery. print
ing and i~ncidentals 81 5OO. bond Mn.