The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-07-20
CITY And COMPANY
BREAK FOR GOOD.
OWATONNA ALDERMEN FOR
MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP.
Light Company Maintains It Has Not
Forfeited It's Franchise and Will Try
to Lay It's Mains in Streets Fight
Seems Destined Ultimately for the
Courts.
Snacial to The Journal.

Special to The Journal.
Owatonna MINI, July 2o-Threwing aside
all pretense of desire to arrive at an annie
able settlement of the gas plant difficulties the
city council gave just about three minutes con-
sideration to the last proposal OF the gas COM
pany and then threw 1t contemptuously aside.
Five minutes later the members had voted to
submit the question of municipal ownership to
the people BY this action war between the
company and the city is officially declared
The company refused to recede from the posi-
ton which it had taken. The manager remind
ed the eouncilmen that they still had nineteen
years to run under their old franchise, this of
course being disputed by the aldermen, and
that If the council had really determined upon
the stand which it now took, the only course
for his company was to proceed under the old
franchise and dig its trenches and lay the mains
for the new plant. which is In process Of con-
struction. The company, he said, would prefer
to have the good will Of the council, and would
also prefer a new franchise giving more def
but If the aldermen chose to believe that the
company attempting to work some conf
dence game on the city, then the only thing
it could do to go ahead under the present
ordinance and give the people the best service
possible. ,..--, ..e. .G..,...f
Bound for the Courts.
| Altho nothing was said at this time about
| taking the matters into court, it Is very evil
dent that this is now the only possible ADJUST
ment of the matter, and lively fight is expect.
ed soon. Now that all hope Of compromise
| has been abandoned, the company is expected
to proceed at once with an attempt to lay its
mains thru the city streets, and Just as soor
as this work is attempted there will be ''some
! thing doing Every alderman is in favor OF
municipal ownership
Street Fair in September.
The Commercial club is making preparations
| for the big street fair, which will be held hers
Sept. IS, IA and is. The financial committed
has undertaken to raise 81 200 for this purpose
and altho 1t has been at work but two days ha
more than that amount already in sight. 4
for Saturday, at which time the program will b.
made up. It is planned to have an UNUSUAL.
fine list of attractions. and it is possible tina
last year, will come again. .- +,
Mrs. Henrietta Knowlton, old resident o
this county, died at the home Of her daughte
in this city yesterday. .-fi- =
Miss Edith Johnson daughter Of Alderma
and Mrs. George E. johnson of Blooming Pra
RE, this county, died very suddenly at tn
city hospital today following an operation fo
appendicitis. VT
-- Operahouse Improvements.
The Metropolitan operahouse, which was dan
!; aged by fire last March, will open this yea
; with the regular season. It is' to be completed
| rebuilt inside. w. F. Gage, the owner, We
In the city this week in conference with til
! local manager, and at this time PLACED a
order for entirely new lot of stage scener,
The principal curtain will be of asbestos. y