The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-08-19
ITS RATING
IS ADVANCED
BILLINGS NOW CITY OF SECOND
CLASS.
ITO SECURE LIFE and LIMB
Council Enters Protest Against "FIy-
ing" Switches on Street Cross.
ings-ReIief Promised.
TO SECURE LIFE and LIMB

AS result of a protest entered by
the city council to Superintendent Dan
Boyle of the Northern Pacific, that
official has issued a special order to
the switching crews employed in the
local yards by which .nying'' switches
are prohibited, although one of the
company's standing orders is prohibi-
tive of them.
The protest of the council was made
because of the many complaints that
have been heard of late concerning
the danger to pedestrians by reason
of flying" switches on the only two
street crossings in the city. Mr..
Boyle's order was communicated to
the council at it's Tuesday evenings
meeting and he furthermore informed
the aldermen that if any more OF the
interdicted switches were made he
would like to be informed of the fact.
city's Rating Advanced.
A resolution was adopted advanc-
ing the city from one of third to
one of second class, the change being
warranted by the increase in popula-
tion shown according to the report Of
the city clerk, who was recently ap-
pointed special enumerator.
As submitted by Mr.. Carwile, Bill
ings had 5,447 residents between July
/ and August Is. This is an increase
of over 1000 since the national cen
sus was taken in 1900. The clerk
reported that it was his belief that
he had missed fully 2 per cent of
the whole number because of the fact
that many of those who made their
home here had no fixed place of abode
and to enumerate all was physical
impossibility.
Orders were given to file a copy OF
the resolution with the county clerk
and recorder and secretary of state.
Given Time to Build Walk.
John D. Losekamp was given until
May 1, 1905, in which to comply with
the councils order for the construc-
tion of permanent sidewalk in front
of his Montana avenue property.
At the last meeting of that body
a resolution was adopted by which he
was ordered to construct such walk
within go days from the date of the
adoption of the resolution Mr.. Lose.
kamp addressed the council on the
subject and said that he had decided
upon large number of improvements
to his property next spring and re
qnested that the council reconsider
is action and give him until then to
comply with it's order. AS an evidence
Of his good Intentions Mr.. Losekamp
offered to enter into q written agree
nlcnt with the city by which he would
bind himself to build the walk by
May /, 1905.
| On motion of Alderman Bennighofl
/ r
the requested extension was granted
Took 1t for Granted.
Mayor Foster evidently had taken II
for granted that the council would
grant his request for a leave of alb
sence beyond the limits of the state
by starting on his journey and leav'
ing the request on file with the clerk
1t was for this reason that President
Williams presided at the meeting. The
request was granted, there being nc
manifest disposition on the part OF
any of the 'councilmem to make a
demand for the enforcement of a pro
per amount of respect by the mayor
for the council by ordering his return
and his submission of the reques,
for leave.
| Would Use Steam Power.
During the administration of Mayor
George permission was granted Yegen
Bros. to construct a private switch
from the main tracks of the Northern
Pacific through the alley in the rear
of their store, ON the south side OF
Minnesota avenue 1t was stipulated
however, that instead of the ordinary
method of locomotion only animal
power was to be used in moving carr
upon the switch. The firm now de
sires to have the resolution amended
] 80 as to give 1t the right to use loco