The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-02-21

ton to other defects he said the ordi-
nance contained.
Reynolds spoke along the same line.
He declared that no assurance was
given that Moffett would construct
and operate a telephone system and
not sell his franchise as soon as grant
ed.
Berky thought that the points made
We're well taken, but there were other
considerations to be regarded. He be-
lieved that the Moffett people had
not been fairly treated by the Rocky
Mountain company.
White now moved that the ordi-
nance be reported back to the ordi-
nance committee. Seconded by Reyn-
olds.
The mayor called Stoddard to the
chair and talked on the bill. He said
that from the number of names at
tached to the petition it was very ap-
parent that the people were not salts
fled with the present service or the
rates charged. But before anything
was done in the way of granting a
franchise to Moffett the ordinance
should be amended in accordance with
the suggestions of White and Reyn-
olds.
Hogue was of the same opinion and
suggested that the bill be re-referred.
City Attorney Johnston said that
if the matter of rates was inserted in
the ordinance Moffett might not care
to accept a franchise for a local ex~
change. and advised that two ordi-
nances be drawn. one for a local sys-
tenn and the other granting him the
right to bring his .long-distance lines
into the city.
Stoddard did not fear a telephone
trust and felt certain that Moffett
and the Rocky Mountain, Bell Tele-
phone company would not get to-
gether and raise the rates. He be-
lieved competition to be the life of
trade. J.!
The motion to re-refer was now |
up for a vote. The roll was called and
all the aldermen voted in the affirm
ative. The bill then went over until
the next meeting when it will come up
again in an amended form.
Reynolds introduced the following
resolutions:
THAT this council desires to ex-
press the profound sorrow of the citi-
zens of Billings On the untimely death
of Chief of Police Warner, and to
place on record the high appreciation
of the council of the efficiency and in
tegrity with which the late chief ad-
m%inistered the affairs thereof.
THAT this resolution be spread on
the minutes of the council, and that a
copy thereof be sent to the family of
the deceased"
The resolution was adopted unani-
mously.
On motion the clerk was instructed
to forward a draft to Farson. Leach
& Co. for the amount of the interest
due March / on the $4,000 funding
bonds, and the sum of $1,000. in pay
ment of n of the bonds which ma
lures on that date.
The mayor called attention to the
vacancy existing in the Office O. CHIEF
of police.
White asked permission to make a
few remarks before any appointment
was made. He said that while the
council had never unaffected any
niggardliness in dealing with the vari-
GUS departments of the city. he
thought it would be advisable to re-
scind the former action OF the council
in the matter of allowing a fixed
monthly sum to the chief Of police as
incidental expenses Of the Office. He
her embodied his suggestion in the
form of a motion. which prevailed
without a dissenting vote
Mayor George now submitted the
name of A. c. Tompkins for conirma-
ton as chief of 1o!ica.
White moved to confirm. A silence
of some moments ensucd and there
being no second the mayo" said as
the council did not seem prepared to
act then the matter of appointing a
chief would have to lay over until
next meeting.
Reynolds said that the reason none
of the councilmen cared to second the
motion to confirm was. perhaps. for
the reason that they knew nothing
concerning the qualifications of the
apDOintee.
Berky was of the same opinion and
recommended the appointment of some
member of the police force.
StDllarl falt tho u.nI- a.l |