Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-03-08
TELEPHONE
WAR COMING
1IlLINGS.LEWISTOWN COMPANY
AFTER FRANCHiSE-ELECTRlC
RAILWAY TO KENDALL.

The regular meeting of the city
council was held Monday night, all
the aldermen except Walter s. Smith
being in attendance.
The first matter brought up was
the application of the Billings and
Lewistown Mutual Telephone com.
pany for franchise to erect poles
and string wires through the streets
Of the city, and to operate an ex-
change here.
David Hilger, president of the COM
pany, made brief statement in ex-
planation of the organizations plans.
Mr.. HiIger's Statement.
"This is not the only town where
franchises are being asked along sim.
liar lines," said he. "Bozeman has
already ordered an election on the
application for franchise, and it is
intended to have that city, Billings,
Livingston, Helena and Lewistown
connected by independent lines. This
means the opening of big telephone
war that will involve a large part of
Montana, but we have counted the
cost and know what we are up
against. Eastern, as we'll as local
capital, is interested in the fight. We
are prepared to begin it, and SO ask
for this franchise at this time in or
der that 1t may be voted upon by the
people at the coming election.
1--WE are the only ones who can
possibly be the loosers, and the city
will be the gamer in any event."
After some discussion, it was decid-
ed that the ordinance covering the
franchise should be drawn before final
action should be taken, and that a
special meeting should be held at 5
p. m. Tuesday TO pass upon the mat
ter.
The city marshal and police mag
istrate sent in their monthly reports,
showing that fines amounting to $1O5
had been assessed during February.
of which amount, $50 was paid in
cash.
The street commissioners report
showed expenditures during February
of $134.45.
The city treasurer's report showed
a balance in the treasury March OF
$2,456. The balances in the various
funds were: General fund, $2,S53;
fire fund, $4S5: library. 1882; sink
ing, $2,951. Overdrafts were shown
in the road fund Of 1854; in the wa
ter and sewerage bond fund OF 81
278, and in the water works fund OF
$50.
The usual monthly bills and salary
accounts were allowed.
City Clerk H. H. Boggs reported
the collection of $1S7 for water rates.
Deeds to the reservoir site and the
right of way to i. were received from
r. G. Jackson, and we're referred to the
city attorney.
Two bids were received for the con-
struction of a bridge on Brassey street
and that of S. Is. Anderson was for
$2O9. 20, while w. B. L0rentz ohered
to do the work for $3.50. AS both bid
ders specified that the city should
furnish the piledriver, something that
the municipality does not own, the
bids were referred to the committee
on streets and alleys.
A bid was received from the man.
uldCtuIcIo OACIAu6 W AuAAASA N">~
city with a Gamewell electric striker
for the fire bell for about $500. Re-
ferred to the purchasing committee.
O. w. Belden called attention to
the fact that the Presbyterian church
property was advertised for sale for
sewer taxes. He said the delay had
been due to the fact that the sewer
connection was not. it was believed
ON the proper grade. and he asked
that the matter be investigated. The
mayor was instructed to employ a
competent man TO make the investi.
CATION, all proceedings to be stayed
in the meantime.
An ordinance extending the IRE linn
its approximately one block IN eacn
direction was presented by the city
attorney, and read the first time. Ine
petitions of the Judith Hardware com
pauy and G. N. Stafford for permis
sion to make certain important alter
atoms and improvements at theil
buildings were referred.