The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-09-05
COUNCIL DEs,enA7Es PLACE FOR
DRAY STAND.
GAIN EXTENSION or Time
Contractors Building City Hall Given
Longer Time in Which to
Complete Structure.
From Wednesdays Daily Gazette.

s. B. Sawyer, representing the Bill
ings lumber company, contractor FOL
the construction OF the new city hall
appeared before the council last ev
ening and made a statement as tx
the cause Of the delay in completing
the building. The company is under
contract to complete the structure
September 1, and forfeits the sum o.
$40 per day for each day thereafter
until the work is done.
Mr.. Sawyer stated that he had been
greatly delayed in receiving orders
for mill stuff and that the change ii
the original plans of the building
had also delayed the work to some
extent. Upon his representations an
extension OF time under the terms
Of the contract OF 80 days was granted
him, with the tacit understanding that
more time would be allowed if neces.
cary. Mr.. Sawyer stated positively
that that part of the new building
to be occupied by the fire department
would be completed first and in plen-
ty of time for the Firemen's State
convention to be held here in October.
The meeting of the council was the
first regular business session Of the
month and a large volume of business
was transacted.
In the absence Of Mayor George, Al
derman Berky presided. All mem
bers were present except Mr.. Cothron.
The clerk stated that the reports
of the police magistrate, chief Of po-
lice, treasurer and street and sewer
commissioner had been filed and on
motion they were referred to the
finance committee.
The regular batch Of monthly bills,
amounting to $1,325, were then read
and on motion allowed.
Certificate No. IL, amounting to
$556.28 in favor of the Billings Lum-
Der company, being the architects
twelfth estimate of work completed
on the city hall, was not approved by
the finance committee and the mat
ter was referred to the entire coun-
Gil. There was considerable discus
sion over the certificate on account of
the time for completing the building
having expired. Acting on the sug-
gestion of City Attorney Johnston the
committee finally recommended the
bill with the endorsement that the
city waived none of its rights under
the contract by paying the amount Of
the certificate. On motion it was or
dered paid.
The committee to whom was refer
red the question of a suitable stand
for drays recommended in it's report
that the vacant space of ground i'm
mediately north of the Northern Pa
cific depot lunch counter be designat-
ed as a place for all public vehicles
to stand. The report was accepted
and the city attorney instructed to
prepare an ordinance in conformity
with the resolution and to report ordi-
nance at next meeting.
Alderman White read the report of
the committee appointed to purchase
furniture for the city hall. The re-
port gave a detailed list of articles
needed in the way of chairs, desks,
electric light fittings, ETC., and on mo-
ton the committee was ordered to ad-
vertise fer bids IN the furniture.
Alderman Stoddard reported that
the building committee had decided
to defer the purchase Of a town clock
on account of the fact the funs were
somewhat short. The report was ac-
cepted.
: A request from the Donovan-McCor-
mick company to be allowed to build
a new foundation and make other re-
pairs and extensions to it's business
building in Montana avenue was
granted without dissent.
The bond of the l.. L. Moffett Tel
ephone comnany in the sum of $ 5000
Tor the faithful execution of the terms
OF its franchise was approved, with
c. Yegen and c.. o. Gruwell as sure
ties. Mr.. Mofett's acceptance Of the
franchise was also read and placed
on file.
Alderman Bennighoff presented an
ordinance granting. the Citizens
Electric company a franchise for
erecting poles and wires, laying con-
duits. etc., through the streets and
alleys of the city, and for the con
struction and maintenance of electric
lighting and water power plants,
or both, in the city of Billings.
The ordinance prescribes the rates
to be charged for both arc and in
eondescent lights and specifies that
the company shall file a bond of &c.,
VIZ with the city, to be perpetual. to