Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1905-03-07
A Proposed Franchise for the fs-
tablishment of an Independent
System in the City.
THE HOMELESS DOGS MUST GO
City Marshall Instructed to En-
force the Ordinance RELATING
to bum CANNES.

At the meeting of the city council
last evening there were present:
Mayor, Symmes; Aldermen, Laux,
Brown, Littlejohn and Pinkley. The
meeting was called to order at nine
O'Clock, the minutes were read and a
short discussion ensued as to the adj
visibility of granting franchise to the
various petitioners before the board.
The first communication read by the
clerk in this matter was, from the
Lewistown-Billings Mutual Telephone
Co., who asked that they might be al
lowed to establish telephone system
in the city with central exchange
as headquarters for their long dis
tance line between this city and Bill
lings, and to establish competing
system in the city.
The Hon. David Hilger, president
OF the company, made a short address
to the council on the matter and
stated in very concise terms, the ul-
innate aims and object of the concern.
The line is an independent one said
Mr. Hilger and will be a benefit to
the city, as it will have a tendency to
lower prices and insure better service
to the public by reason of competi-
tlon. 1t will also furnish direct COM
munication between Lewistown and
Killings, Helena, Dillon, Benton and
other points which are now reached
by an expensive and roundabout route.
The placing of the matter before
the voters of the city was discussed
at length and motion was made to
submit the consideration of the petit
tion to an investigating committee
who were instructed to meet with
members of the company and to re-
port at a special meeting of the coun-
Gil tonight.
The petition for a railroad franchise
by the Judith Milling Co., was also re-
ferred to committee, who were in
structed to view the premises Of the
proposed extension and report at the
special meeting.
In regard to these petitions some
mention was made by members of the
board and also by the mayor i'm regard
to consideration allowed to the city In
return for proposed franchise.
The Judith Hardware petitioned
the city council to allow them to
build stone addition to their ware
house, the matter was referred to
the building committee with full
power to act. The clerk produced a
deed made out to city by Robert
jackson and wife in which the reser-
voir site and rightaway were decided
to the city.
The repairing of the Stafford build
ing on Main street was discussed and
referred to the building committee.
The bids on the pile bridge on Bras
sey street were opened. One bid for
s2o9.2O was made by S. d. Anderson,
while the other by w. B. Lorenz was
put in for $4,000. In both bids a
stipulation was made that the city
should furnish the pile driver. The
street and alley committee were in
structed to look into the matter and
report as soon as possible.
o. w. Belden on behalf of the trus-
tees OF the Presbyterian church, ad-
dressed the board at some length on
the subject of the sewerage system
which had been installed by the city
and connected with the basement Of
the church. The bill of the work
had been presented by the city, but as
as the work was not done as agreed
payment was not made. The city
threatens to sell property belonging to
the church to secure payment and Mr..
Belden asked that a thorough investi-
CATION might be made ere further
steps were taken. A motion was made
and seconded that the mayor appoint
some engineer to thoroughly examine
the system at that point and report.
1t Is GAINED by the church board
that the grade is higher than was
stipulated in the original contract
ana Will not allow of the drainage Of
the basement. The allowing of var
ious crossings was inquired into and
the ordering of a sidewalk in the vi