davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-02-09

luton from the auditor and under date
Of March IA. 1906, addressed COM
munlcation to the Grand Forks Gas &
Electric Co. OF which the following is
= COPY:
Grand Forks Gas & Electric Co..
City,
"Gentlemen.-I beg leave to enclose
you herewith copy of resolution
adopted by the city council of the city
of Grand Forks under date OF March
IL. 1895.
you will undoubtedly join with me
In regretting the necessity for this ac-
ton has arisen because IL the charges
recited are ill-founded they can but do
harm coming as they have come from
men of prominence in the city, and If
we'll founded 1t Is needless to say that
the condition is unjustifiable and l
feel that you will join heartily with
me in an effort to throw light upon
the subject for the interests of corpor-
atoms exercising public utilities under
a franchise from a municipality are
closely bound to and dependent upon
to very large extent, the welfare IF
that municipality and of its people.
In the serious hope therefore, that
the issues of this matter may be sim
plified and clarified, beg leave to sub
init to you the following requests for
information. believing that when our
positions are thoroughly understood
by each other, there can be but little
of difference between us, and trusting
that such differences may be adjusted:
1. Will you kindly advise us under
what authority you claim the right to
use the streets and public places of
the city to lay therein the mains for
distributing gas?
If such right is claimed under a
franchise or contract with the city:
2. Will you kindly inform me
whether the same was granted to you
direct or whether you hold by assign
ment and IL the latter, to whom was
the original grant made and when and
by whom were the assignments exc
cuted and have they yet been filed
with the city auditor?
8. Is the same perpetual and if not,
when does the right so granted expire?
4. If under an assignment, can you
advise me what has become of the
original grantors, are they yet living
or in existence?
S. Is there therein reserved to the
council Of the city any right to amend,
alter or repeal the same?
6. Is there any power reserved
therein to the council, of control over
the grantee thereof, or its assigns, rel
alive to the quantity or quality of gas
furnished, either for heating, lighting
or other purposes?
z. Is there any authority reserved
to the council therein to fix or regu-
late the prices to be paid by the con-
sumers of such gas for the purpose
either of lighting. fuel or otherwise?
s. If there is no power of control
reserved to the council therein over
the quantity or quality of the gas fur
nished, do you concede to the munich
pality any right thereto existing in
dependent of the franchise either I'M
der the public power of the municipal
ity or otherwise?
8. If there is no authority reserved
to the council therein to fix or regulate
the charges or price do you concede
such a power vested in the council in
dependent of the franchise under the
police powers or otherwise? r
The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-02-09

Dear Mr.. Bangs.--I am In receipt Of
your communication addressed to the
Grand Forks Gas & Electric Company,
with reference to franchise, etc. but
after considerable consideration I find
that the questions are 20 numerous
that ! would not be able to answer
them Immediately and fully. For in
formation and assistance I have re-
ferred the questions to the proper au-
thorities Of our company, and will
communicate with you further on the
subject as soon as hear from them.
Trusting that no unnecessary delay
will accrue, am,
Your respectfully,
The Grand Forks Gas & Electric Co.,
Thomas Roycraft, supt."
To which I replied under date of
March goth, as follows:
Grand Forks Gas & Electric Co.,
City,
Gentlemen.-I have to acknowledge
receipt of your favor; OF the 18th inst,
in which YOU advise me that the ques-
lions suggested few days since had
been forwarded to the proper authors.
ties of your company and that would
hear further from t6em.
You are undoubtedly fully advised
as to the situation in the city at the
present time and relative thereto I
had hoped to be able to present your
views upon the subject together with
my opinion before the election which
will be held April 3rd, both of which
perhaps might be of interest to the
electors In connection with the mat
tiers coming before them.
Respectfully"
About the time of the adoption of
the above resolutions the mayor was
authorized to appoint committee to
investigate into the question of the
quality and supply of gas and cleo
tricity of which committee I was asked
to act as secretary; during the pro-
gress of the work of that committee,
the general managed of the G. F. Gas
& Electric Co., spoke to me of the
communication above and stated that
the same had been referred to Messrs.
Brown & Albert, the attorneys for the
company, from whom I would hear;
at different times both Mr.. Brown and
Mr.. Albert called upon me and some
discussion of the inquiries was had.
but the information given me by them
was so general In its nature, that it
not being reduced to writing, l would
not venture to attempt to- reproduce
the same here. I understood that in
SO far as the company felt at liberty to
answer these inquiries its position
would be reduced to writing and fur
nished me, which has not been done;
was informed by them that the COM
pany claimed the right to use the
streets for the purpose to which they
were by it devoted under as assign
ment of some of the various franchises
hereinafter referred to.
Correspondence with City Auditor.
Under date of March IA, 1905, adj
dressed the following communication
to the city auditor:
P. A. Brown, Esq,
City Auditor, Grand Forks, N. D.
Dear Sir.-In re Moran resolution
adopted March II, 1905, relative to The
Grand Forks Gas & Electric Co.
At your earliest convenience will
you advise me:
1. Have you any information, Off
cially, as to by what right this concern
The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-02-09
OF THE CITY.
II ATTORNEY on
FRANCHISE
Ie
Attorney Geo. A. Bangs Sub
) mits Exhaustive Opinion
Upon Subject.
Feb. z. 1906.
Honorable Mayor and City Council.
Grand Forks. N n


Honorable Mayor. and City Council.
e Grand Forks. N. d.
Gentienen.-Under date of March
II, 1906. resolution was adopted by
you asifoioEB:
Whereas. 1t has been brought to the
attention Of the city council of the
city Of Grand Forks. through charges
by representative citizens made before
Il, that the Grand Forks Gas & Elec-
trio Co.. purportfng to act under q
franchise granted It by the city council
Tor the use Of the streets of the city,
has been furnished an inadequate sup
ply, of. gas and electric lights to meet
the demands imposed upon 1t. and that
the supply so furnished has been of
m inferior quality and character and
that the prices or compensation
charged therefor have been more than
an amount sufficient to afford a rea-
sonable profit over and above the ex-
pense OF, the production thereof.
d; Now. Therefore. be is resolved by
the, city council Of the city of Grand
Forks. that the city attorney of said
city be and he hereby is authorized
and required to furnish to this council,
at his earliest convenience:
ri. 'Arfull and complete statement,
In detail showing under and by what
authority the said Grand Forks Gas &
Electric Coils using the streets. al
legs and other public places of said
city for the purpose of distributing gas
and electric light through the same
faAd 1.-THE said Grand Forks Gas &
Electric, Co. pretends to act under a
franchise. or! authority granted from
the city of Grand Forks, that the val
idity of the same be reported on.
:. His opinion as to the measure Of
control vested in the city council over
the said Grand Forks Gas & Electric
Co. including the power on the part
Of the city council to fix rates both
Tor gas and electricity and over the
supply of either thereof.
3. His opinion as to the date of the
expiration of the franchise or fran
chises pretended to be exercised by
the said Grand Forks Gas & Electric
Co., If any, and whether the same be
altered. amended or repealed.
4. FOr'Hhe prp0se of this resolution
the city attorney is authorized to re-
Quire and have the assistance of any
other department or officer of the city
and to have access to the records
thereof and make any expenditures
'feasona6ly necessary therefor"
Correspondence With Company.
Immediately ON receipt of this reso-
The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-02-09

u86S I00 0Ir0oI3M anu p0Ouc Ql6C00 Oh.
the city, within which to lay IT. mains
and string it, wires and II %, kindly
advise me of the date.of the franchise,
to whom ISSUED, etc. n & 81 \. y
2. Has the franchise shown at Sec,
22S Of Chap. t6 tpg. 2O8l Of the ordi-
nances granted November 9th, 1886,
to the Dakota Gas & Fuel CO. been -
signed and II 30, when, and to whom,
and please furnish me with copies of
any such assignment with the date
Of fling with you? s
3. Please give me the same informa-
ton relative to the franchise granted
to the Frand Forks Incandesfent Light
Co, approved Aug. 16, 1888. and shown
at SEE. of Oh. Al, being page 307.
4. Also the same information relR-
tive to the franchise shown ct Oh. IS,
page 81, approved Feb. 8, 1892, grant
ed to. John P. Kingsland, ct al.
s. Also the same information rela-
tive to the franchise granted Teei q
Walker, approved March 10, 1886, and
shown at Sec. 227 of Oh. 16, page 100.
Respectfully"
ClOm WAOm uuuSI u61Ic VI Je4uu8Iy
20, 1906, received the following In
formation:
II have to acknowledge receipt OF
your inquiry dated March "A. 1905.
Replying to your first inquiry would
say that I have no Information as to
by what right the G. q. G. & e. Co.
uses the streets of the city.
fled in this Office of the Dakota Gas 8
Fuel Company franchise.
8. There has been no assignment
filed in this Office of the franchise
granted the G. B. I. L. Co.
4. There has cen no assignment
filed in this Office of the franchise
granted Nngsland, ct al.
5. There has been no assignment
filed in this Office of the franchise
granted Teel and Walker.
find under date of August z, 1886,
there was granted to the National Gas
Light & Fuel Co.,. q franchise to use.
the streets of the city for gas mains.
Respectfully yours,
F. A. BROWN.
City Auditor.
Articles Of Interpretations.
procured under date of March 10,
1905, copies of the Articles of Incor-.
poration of the following:
The Dakota Gas & Fuel Co.
The Grand Forks Incandescent
Light Co.
The Grand Forks Gas & Electric. Co.
The Dakota Gas ( Fuel company
was incorporated by Alexander Griggs,
Vim. Bulge, Thomas Hennessy, ]. 8.
Eshelman and w. ]. Murphy; the
articles are dated October. II, 1887,
and were filed for record and the GER
tificte issued October 20, 1887; the
period of its existence ais twenty years
from that date.
The Grand Forks Incandescent
Light Co.,, articles are dated July 81,
1883, and were filed and the certificate
issued July 21,. 1888; the incorporators
were A. 8. Brooks, r. N. Prouty, J. w.
Mcdonald, and A. G. Laric; the period
Of existence is given as twenty years.
The Grand Forks Gas & Electric Co.
articles are dated May z, 1889. and
were filed and the certificate issued
May II, 1889; the incorporators were
Mr.. Bulge, Alexander Griggs, John
Birkholz, w. J. Murphy, e. M. Prouty
The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-02-09

RI Ns sSSsG 81
The first question, submitted to No
Ia the resolution ID stated - foll0W1:
d L. a full and complete statsnent.
In detail, showing under and w What
! authority the said Grand Forks Gas
q Electric CO. - uss,g the streets. az
sleys and other public places Of said
city for thstpufposeu Of distributing Gas
and electric light through the same
and that II the said Grand Forks Gas
q Electric Co. pretends to act under
Na franchise or authority granted from
the city Of Grand Forks, that the yai-,
fdity Of the same u reported on
ssis.aaen4s 81 Ysalaelises. 81
regret my inability 70 furnish q
statement by the Grand Forks Gas.
& Electric company. OF its rights In
and to the streets and i also regret
the various assignments under which,
1t must hold are not on file with the
City Auditor; In the absence Of both
of the above must, to some extent.
conjecture by what right II claims to.
use the streets. n y YES y n
Careful examination rails to. reveal
any franchise running direct to the
Grand Forks Gas & Electric Co. and
unless 1t Is usurper (and I have no
doubt 1t is not), It must hold BY. vir-
tue Of an assignment OF one or more
Of the different franchises heretofore
granted by the municipality and here
matter referred to.
Franchlses GraateG
These franchises are as follows:
(a) To. the Dakota Gas & Fuel CO..
(gas) Sec. 22S Of Oh. ZIG (page 20l),
granted November 81. 1886. s..
(b) To Kingsland ct al. .(gas) On. As.
(page 311) approved February 81, 1892
/ (c) Teel & Walker (electric) Sec.
227, Oh. 16 (page 1899 approved March
49,. 1886. \ 3
Gay Grand Forks Incandsscent
Light Co. (Eleetric) Sec. 1, Oh. A..
(page 300 approved August is. 1888.
(e) National Gas Light & Fuel Co.
(gas) approved August q, 1886 (No.
10Y.
Dakota, Gas q FaeE Co. rnanshlss.
This franchise was granted by an
ordinance which omitted the; formal
parts reads as follows:
Sub. l. That permission and au-
thority be and the same ARE hereby
granted to the Dakota Gas & Fael
company, of Grand Forks D. T., IT'S
successors or assigns. to lay its gas
mains, pipes. feeders and service pipes
In any and all of the streets, alleys,
avenues, highways, parks and public
grounds throughout the said City Of
Grand Forks, and to maintain and re-
pair the same. provided. that no per-
manent injury or damage shall be
done to, any street, alley, avenue, park
or highway, in the said City, and sub
ject to such regulations az may be
prescribed and adopted By the City
of Grand Forks.
Sub. 2. Said company when 1t shall
open the ground to lay any pipes or
for any other purpose whatsoever,
shall restore the. grounds. streets, al
leys, pavements and sidewalks to. a
condition as good as before the same
were opened with all convenience and
dispatch, and all excavations shall be
The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-02-09

1. Will you kindly advise me under
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1906-05-03
Notice to the Public.

At a meeting OF the Bo~onch Council
held April 2, 1906, the SecreiarN was IN
structed to iusert II notice in the News
Item, cautionipg all people not ~ chop.
tap or in any way damage the sha"ri res
along any OF the streets or public par IN
said Borough Of Laporte, under penalty
OF the law in snch case provided.
f. II. INGH AM, Secretary.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1906-05-03

q the undersigned auditors Of the borough O
tafnrte Pa. Do hereby certify that we met II
the office OF the county Com. March =, l9eH. and
did proceed To audit adjust aud scttle he Neral
accounts of the borough otiicers, ni,d found the
same correct Il, shown and set forth her,n b, fore
Witness our hands aud ais hi. daN
T. f. -HoFM NkEr
Tnos. 2 KENNEDY Auditors.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1906-05-03
County Seat
Local and Personal Events
Tersely Told.

ONE after spending SeVefai uavS
with relatives at New Albany.
Miss Christine Elienberger of To-
wanda was the guest of Miss Shaut
few days last week.
The Commencement exercises of
the Davidson Township High School
will be held in the Methodist Church
at Sonestown, Friday evening, May
1lth., 1906. Everyone is invited to
attend
Services at the Methodist Episco-
pal Church next Sunday morning at
10 O'clock. Subject: The Shining
of Moses Face"
Harry Rose has returned home af-
ter spending few weeks with his
sister, Mrs. Frank Spangenburg at
Ricketts,.
On Thursday of last week Mr.
and Mrs. w. j. Hlgley returned to
Laporte after spending the winter
with their daughter Mrs. w, ID.
FinkIe. at RoselIe Park, n. J.
Mr.. Frederick Miller returned
from New York City last week to
spend the summer mt his Lap0rte
home. Mr.. Miller visited his daugh
ter Mrs. Percy Bivins, at Toledo,
o. before coming to Laporte.
The Commencement Exercises of
the Forksville High School will be
held in the NJ. +. Church at Forks
Vile, on Tuesday evening May Sth,
at s O'Clock. Admission 10 censt.
Mr.. and Mrs. Samuel Mahaffey
were Williamsport visitors Thurs
day.
Mr.. Thomas Green of Glen Mawr,
and Miss Edyth Eddy of thus place
were married at Williamsport to-
day (Thursday). The News Item
unites with the friends of the young
couple in extending best wishes.
Mrs. A. j. Hackley has been con-
fined to her home by illness for the
past week.
Mrs. William McGee of Mildred,
died Sunday night at the age of 30
years. She is survived by a husband
and one daughter.
Mrs. John Weisbrod of Cherry
township, died Wednesday of last
week aged Il years. She leaves
husband, five sons and one daughter.
Miss Julia O'Donovan who has
been stenographer in f. j. Mullen's
law office for the past three years,
has gone toSayre where she has ac
cepted position in the Lehigh Val
ley railroad office.
Miss May Marks, of Holidays
burg, is candidate for sheriff of
Blair county to fill the vacancy
caused by the death of Sheriff Bell.
She is at present deputy sheriff, and
is probably the first woman in the
state to aspire 10 the Office of sheriff.
The borough council ut Danville
is considering the passage of Il cur
few ordinance in I'm effort To keep
the youthful element of the commu
nifty from evil associations.
The Eagles Mere booklet tor 1906
containing pictures and descriptions
of the famous lake and park, has
just been issued and is better than
ever before.
ON May l5th, at 7:3o =. m. Clar-
ence +. IIuth will lecture to the Il.
O. :. of a. at s,onc-toWn, taking for
his subject "lu the Vanguard of
Nations" Part OF the evening will
he taken up with selections and mu-
sic by home talent.
Laddsburg poStollicc was dis
continued and the records turned ov-
er To New AlhmlF office, April >,
1906 This make, seven posto1ices
turned over To- New Albany post
Office a. follow: Wc>t Terry, Ever
green, New Albany, Rrnwlck, part
of Wilnot, Cumiskey and lAdd,hnrg
Mr.. aud Mrs Fred l.auer visited
the former, mptlrr AMI relatives in
town on Monday Mr.. and Mrs.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1906-05-03
Nav Jurors.

May Jurors.
Chas. Miller, John Simpson, Ern-
est Fulmer, Davidson; c. p. Hope,
Samuel Duncan, Bernice; w. l..
Williams, John Frey, Fox; Law
renee Dunn, j. l.. Christian, Lopez;
A. L. Pardoe, James Cavenaugh,
Forks; Claire Nye Forksville; Jesse
McCarty, Carl II. Pardoe, Elkland;
Warden Bahr, Geo. Yonkin, Adam
Thrasher, Lewis Zaner, Cherry;
Geo. Streby, Geo. Kaier, Dushore;
). S. Nroman, Hillsgrove; NJ. l..
liunsinger, Colley; S. p. Worthing
ton, Mt. Vernon.
Henry Hibbard, Bernice; John
Biddle, Samuel SAKE, Val. Rohey,
Nathen Weaver, Cherry; Harvey
Watts, Eagles Mere; J. w. Heess,
A. +. Heess, Elkland; James Par
rish, Fox; II. c. Pardoe, George
Eberlin, Henry Richlin, c. M. Fer
rell, Forks; Pat. Finan, John Yon-
kin, Jas. Thayer, George Adams,
Lopez; Lewis Yonkin, Walter Beard
ley, John Hileman, Jr. Dushore;
Levi Richard, Jas, Moran, Byron
Campbelle, Geo. Robbins, Daniel
Lorah, Eli Boston, Davidson; c, NJ
Osler, Forksville; j. III. w. Little,
Shrewsbury; Ed Potter, II. j. heel-
er, Henry Carpenter, w. c. Mason,
LapCrte; VIM. Shoemaker, Jamison
City; George Rine, George w.
Lawrenson, Mt NerEon; Lewis
Messersmith, Harvey Steafather.
Merit Barnhart, John Green, Rick
etts; Jacob Jacoby, Ringdale.
a Lehigh Valley freight train was
blown up with dynamite on the cut
Off, near Piltston, Wednesday night.
The engine and several cars derailed
and the engineer and fireman We're
Injured i'm the wreckage. 1t is be
iieved that some persons placed the
box of dynamite, on the track, which
exploded when the engine struck it.
1t was reported that the outrage was
perpetratcd TO kill II number of min
ers imported to take the place of
strikers and supposed to be on that
train
There has been considerable talk
about the desirability of IN organi
Zation uf the business men of La
porte in the nature of n board of
trade Relieving that such AN or
sauiMti0n will he of service in de |
veloping the possibilities of Laporte |
aS Il summer resort, we have been |
requested to announce that "A meet
ing of the citizens will he held ut the
Court House : itur,lay evening, May
9th, To- effect such organization. All
Interested are urged tn attend.
ln ihc matter ol thea Iicalion ol Gee.
W. ilotteustrn for q divo cc rom Wiui-
tired Iiottenstelu, hts vile.
10 Wmiired llottenstein. lou are
hereby notified that tn alias subpoena ia
the ahovr stttei case having heen re-
mrnci. that you c,ull not be found in
lhis county, tou ARE required To appe r ON
the fourth Mon lay ol May 1T court of
Common Pleas IA Bee he'll ~ taporle, at
. o'clock T., NJ, AL make answer TO the
compliant made hy y,u husband ia the
above ~lt tci ease
FRANk ". - cK, sheriff,
,herii'- uiliee, Lapotle Pa Nav !, 1900,
ia Cure Constipation tofetff.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1906-05-03

An Austrian, giving his name
Michael Hapsin, having been but
six months i'm the United States, was
brought to the county Jail Sunday
night, on charge of larceny. Hap
sin entered the residence of Polls
Scureman, of Dushore on last Fri
day night, through window on the
second floor, and stole twelve dollars
in m )ney and a watch. Mr.. Scure-
man was aroused and when Hapsin
earned that h, was likely to be
caught he hastily made his escape.
Accidently he lost his Miners Union
Card, in his haste to leave the house,
which was found by Mr.. Scureman;
this furnished the proper clue to his
capture. Constable Frank Mcmahon
gave him lively chase from one of
the hotels to the woods but succeeded
in running him down. In his room
was found twelve watches and a num-
btI vi SOltl lIC hotSi NohiiN'''N"
that it was himself who recently
broke into the pOstOtfice at Bernice,
and also the railroad station at the
same place last Thursday night.
Since being confined to Jail he has
bought box of cigars and is evil
IDENTIFY enjoying life in America.
The Repasz Band and Orchestra
of Williamsport, have been engaged
for the seth Annual Commencement
of Bucknell University to be held at
Lewisburg, June 18th, 10th and Goth,
The usual twilight concerts will be
given on the campus. The concerts
have proven very popular in the past
and the Repasz band will prepare a
special program for these concerts.