The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-02-06
KICK ON FRANCHISE
City Council Takes the Initial Step to
Repeal Ordinances on Light
Franchise.
Exceedingly Poor Service Has Started the
Move in That Direction to
Test Matters.
Mayor Silsby in a Message Recommends
City to Erect q Plant for Its
Own Use.
WILL TEST FRANCHISE
City Council Will Present Ordinance
For Repeating Electric Light
Franchise.
WILL TEST FRANCHISE

"a SSpSN sa
Franchise.
There was a decidedly interesting
meeting Of the city council Monday
evening, and some matters of great
Importance to the city were discussed.
Mayor Silsby and Aldermen Stout,
Perry, Curtis, Koch, Miller. Hannett
and Scriven were present. Auditor
Herbert read the minutes Of the pre-
vious meeting and they stood APP
proved.
A new ordinance was introduced at
this time which has for its purpose
the removal of all water closets with
in the fire limits Of the city. Certain
penalties are prescribed when, after
due notice has been given for the re-
moyal o. these places, they are not
removed and the nuisance is abated.
The ordinance was placed on its first
reading.
Two other ordinances were intro
duced at this time for the purpose Of
securing a franchise from the city
for a gas plant. One is fathered by
o. A. Rudolph, of Canton, and ]. s..
Daniels and ]. T. Morrow, of this
city. They ask for a thirty year
franchise. and as to charges. for
gas, assert in the ordinance that
they shall never exceed So. so per
Thousand cubic feet for Illuminating
purposes and So. so per thousand
feet for fuel and power purposes.
The other ordinance is for a COM
pany comprised of 0. L. Branson, OF
this city, L. X. Lord, Of Parker, and
Herbert E. Hitchcock, of this city.
This company asks for a twenty year
franchise, and as to charges for gas
state that it will not exceed SIZE
per thousand cubic feet, and that
it will be in operation twelve
months after the franchise is grant
ed. Both ordinances we're referred
to the committee on ordinances and
will be presented to the council
later.
The bills against the city were
presented and allowed and warrants
ordered drawn for their payment.
The bill of the Electric Co. was taken
up by the council for adjustment.
It called for $112, the company hav-
ing cut its own bill the sum of 1924
for nights when the lights were not
burning. Some objection was made
to the bill passing at that figure
and a motion was made to place it
at S66. This motion was lost and it
was finally allowed at 800. The
condition of the lights was pretty
freely discussed and it was evident
that the council vas perfectly willing
to take some steps toward an i'm.
mediate improvement. At this point
Mayor Silsby asked permission tx
present a message to the council
along the line of municipal contro
of electric lights. The following i:
the message of the mayor:
To the Honorable City Council O
Mitchell, South Dakota
Gentlemen: In order to bring
your attention in a specific ann t.
the conditions now existing, as re
Hates to the franchise granted to II
w. Turner and H. B. Warren. for al
exclusive right to maintain and oper
ate a system of electric lights in thI
city. and more particularly describe
under Ordinance No. 90. this mes
sage is herewith presented.
Under the contract mentioned tn
city gave an exclusive franchise t
the above named, their successors G
assigns, upon certain conditions
which were embodied in the ordir
ance referred to, as follows, to-wit
Sec. 5.-sThe rights and privilege
granted to the said FL. w. Turne
and Fl. B. Warren, their successor
and assigns, are granted upon th
following conditions, a violation O
or failure to perform, any of Whic
will forfeit all the exclusive priv
leges contained insthis ordinances:
First-(This refers to date plar
should be in operation.)
SecOnd-(ThiS required them to a,
5cept the conditions named with
two weeks.)
Third-The said H. w. Turner ar
II. b. Warren, their successors an
assigns. shall al all times during tt
term of this grant keep their ligh
in good condition and furnish at a
times as high degree Of light as
furnished by the best approve
machinery in general use throughor
the United States in cities simil;