Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-08
SALOON MEN
TO PAY LESS
The City Council Reduces the Retail
Liquor License From $500
to $500 Per Year.
CONVENTION OF THE FiREMEN
Mayor Pinkley and the Aldermen to
Assist-New Night Marshal 10
Appointed.

The regular monthly meeting of the
city council was held last evening,
and the session was busy one. Al
dermen Brown, Smith. Laux, Sloan,
Bradbury we're in attendance, and
Mayor Pinkley presided.
The Firemen's Convention.
For one thing, the council showed
it's appreciation of the honor bestow-
ed upon the city in being selected for
the convention of the Montana State
Firemen's association to be held here
next month. Halsey r. Watson. in
the absence of Tom Stout, secretary
of the local department, called atten-
tion to the coming convention, and
told of their arrangements being
made for it. He said that the fire.
men had gone down in their own
pockets to aid in the matter, while
the merchants had subscribed literally
to the fund to be used in making the
stay of the delegates a pleasant one.
While the city would not directly con-
tribute to this, yet he believed there
was a desire to help the department
in carrying out the task it had assum-
ed. The department, Mr.. Watson
said, had purchased the carpet for
the council chamber at a cost Of SO,
and had expended during the year
upwards of $40 for supplies. He
thought, therefore, that the council
could appropriate the sum of 500 in
payment of these articles. Mr.. Wat
son then put in bill for the 500,
which was promptly allowed, and the
amount appropriated.
Alderman Frank E. Smith thought
it would be proper for the council to
aid further in the work by active
participation in the arrangements and
in the reception of visitors, and it was
finally decided that the whole coun-
Gil, with Mayor Pinkley, should act
as committee for this purpose.
Saloon License Reduced.
Another important bit of business
transacted was the reduction of retail
liquor licenses from $500 per annum
to 5000, the payments to be quarterly
instead of semi-annually as hereto
fore. This matter was brought up by
w. H. Smith, of HuntOon, WOrden &
Smith, who made an address in which
he showed that the license required
was considerably larger than that IN
most cities in the state. Butte was
about the only one requiring $500
while Great Falls. Billings. Missoula
Helena and Livingston charged but
5000. The license in Kalispell and
Havre was $3.50, and in Miles City
$50. Mr.. Smith thought $3.50 would
be about the right figure, the pay
ments to be made quarterly.
1t was recalled by some Of the
members that the license was form
erly 5000, and this was raised to $500
when gambling was totally abolished
AS the lid is now of SO far as gam
ing is concerned, and the city is IL
receipt OF large revenue from thu
gambling establishments, in the way
of fines, it was decided to restore
the liquor license to its old basis o.
5000 per month, this action being TAX
en- on a unanimous vote.
Treasurer's Report.
The report of the treasurer for july
showed the following amounts in thu
various funds: General fund $1,556.
81; fire fund, $168.56; library fund
$1.706.7S; water works fund, $331.35
sinking fund, $2,700.32. Total, Sc,
464.18.
The overdrafts we're: Water ant
sewer bonds, $1,78691; road fund
$211.63. Total. $1,998.54.
The report thus showed a net bal
ance in the funds of $4.465.64.
Fines During the Month.
The report Of Police Magistrate F
F. MacGowan was brief but interest
ing. 1t showed that during the month
fines amounting to $1.65575 had beel
paid, nearly all Of it coming, o
course, from fines imposed on tn
gaming establishments.
Water Main Extensions.
City Engineer MCLEAN reporte
that it would cost about $1,655 T.
make the extensions of water main
asked for The matter was referre
back to the petitioners for informa
tion as to the number of persons VIII
will take the water if the main is ea
| tenueu, anu pToViueu SuHIcleut nun
ber can be secured to justify the e,
pense, the Improvement will be made
John Brooks was granted a reta
liquor license for the old TivOli proI
erty, Mr.. Brooks guaranteeing tina
a respectable place shall be conduc
ed there. The plan does not includ
. any variety theatre attachment.
The condition of the old bridge nea
the Judith Basin cOmpany's mill wa
pointed out by Manager Benner, VIII
suggested that something should /
I done to strengthen or replace it E;
= once. City Engineer MCLEAN state
that he had examined the bridge an
that it was positively unsafe. Whe
the water was again turned in II
= channel it would be but questie
n of short time until the bridge wou
g fall. He presented plans for a ne
= bridge, and after a long discussio
d the matter was referred to Aldermt
t Laux. Bradbury and Tubb. who W
j. see that action is taken without al
e unnecessary delay.
l. On motion of Alderman Laux, Il
e city attorney was instructed to pl