The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-12-05
WATER POWER COMPANY ASKS
FOR CONFERENCE.
MAKES OFFER TO SETTLE
Minnesota G. Montana Land Company
Anxious to End Litigation
Proposition Rejected.

from Wednesdays Daily Gazette.
In view of the agitation that has
been heard of late considering the
advisability of the city purchasing
the plant of the Billings Water Pow
er company at the expiration of the
company's present franchise, which
still has a tenure Of a little more than
four years, Colonel Rowley, general
manager, appeared before the city
council last night for the purpose
of paving the way for future action.
He informed the council that as he
understood the matter about all the
talk heard on the subject had refer
nee only to the water works and not
it's adjunct, the lighting plant, both
of which are o. practically conduct
ed as one, being under the same roof
and operated by the same crews of
men. He said that he desired some
sort of an understanding in regard to
the matter SO as to make provisions
for the required segregation in the
N'SAe SANS CAS lily OIOuAu uCC1uS W
buy the n and not the other. Be-
cause of the constantly growing de-
mands made on the lighting plant it
was necessary from time to time to
add machinery and if it was concluded
to buy only the water works he would
be guided accordingly in the insta1la-
ton of further additions. In conclu-
sion he suggested that the council
appoint a committee with which he
could meet and talk the matter over
and to which he could also submit a
proposition that he would probably
be prepared to offer.
On motion the matter was referred
to the fire, light and water commit
tee, with instructions to meet the
colonel and receive any proposition he
might make.
The Dray Ordinance.
The dray ordinance came up again,
like a certain we'll known ghost it
apparently refusing to be downed. A
petition was presented praying that
the ordinance be so amended that the
right to stand in front of certain
places be given the draymen, provid-
ed permission to do SO was granted
by the owners of the property.
The matter was temporarily dispos-
ed Of by being referred to the street
and sidewalk committee.
Will Fight It Out.
. l. D. O'Donnell, in behalf of that
corporation, made an address to the
council and submitted a proposition
for a settlement of the suit now pend
ing in the United States courts
wherein the city has recovered judg-
ment in a lower branch of the courts
against the company in a dispute over
the matter of collecting a special tax
levied against the property of the
Minnesota & Montana Land and I'm
provement company for drainage pur-
poses. The proposal was submitted
in writing and contained an offer to
deed to the city what is known as the
South park, containing about 200 lots,
the fractional block No. 81, fractional
block No. 1876, the fraction west of
block No. so and $4,000 in cash. In
consideration of this the city to set
tie and the controversy to end.
A motion to accept the offer was
made and the yes and nays called.
Bennington and Cothron voted in the
affirmative, and Stoddard, Berky,
White, Hogue and Thorson in the
negative. The motion was declared
lost and the, matter will have to be
fought to a conclusion in the courts.
Policemen Appointed.
Several vacancies existing in the
police force, the mayor nominated c..
E.. Mowre, J. M. Walker and R. c..
Baker to fill them.
The appointments were confirmed
and the police committee was in
structed to report on a uniform for
the force.
Other Matters.
Various reports of officers n COM
mittees were read and approved.
The report of the librarian of the
Parmly Billings Memorial library was
and laid over for further
action.
Sisters of st. Vincent's hospital
petitioned for the establishment OF an
electic light in the street in front OF
the hospital, saying that the light
now in the entry was insufficient. he
ferred to the fire, water and light
Certificate No. II, an estimate. OF