The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-11-08
THE FRANCHISE SETTLED

Electric Light Franchise for Mitchell
Company Placed on It's First
Reading.
The regular meeting Of the city
council was held Monday evening,
and the fact that definite action
would be taken on the electric light
franchise matter served to bring out
quite an audience, much larger than
is usually the case at a council meet
ing.
Mayor Branson presided and Alder
men Koch, Curtis, Koch. Reeves,
Kelley, Burns and Doyle. were pres.
ent. Auditor Markham read the
minutes, Of the previous meeting
and they stood approved.
j. N. Grow made application to
the council for the use of the city
hall auditorium for the South Dakota
State Poultry and Pet Stock show
which is to be held here the latter
part Of January. Judge Crow assured
tie council that the room would be
left in good shape the same as In
former years. The council granted
permission for the room to be used.
a petition signed by about eighty
residents living on the south side
was presented the council, which
asked for the abatement of the
nuisance Of the septic tank, which
was placed In the sand pit and into
which empties the sewer from
Dakota Wesleyan University. The
petition declared that an unbearable
stencil arose from the opening and
that the wells in that vicinity were
tainted and that the water was unfit
to use. John Steinmetz, jr., one Of
the petitioners spoke briefly on this
matter and emphasized what the
petition contained. This same mat.
ter vas referred to the sewer CON-
mittee a month ago, but at the
meeting there was no report made as
no investigation had been made by
the committee. The petition was
referred to the board Of health to
make an investigation and given
power to act.
When the mayor called Tor the
introduction Of new ordinances. r.
]. Spangler presented an electric
light ordinance. which he asked to
have placed on its first reading. He
stated that a new company had been
organized to take over the property
Of the Mitchell Gas Co, which was
composed of Mitchell men almost
exclusively, and that 1t would he a
Mitchell institution hereafter. His
request was granted by a unanimous
vote Of the council. The ordinance
was read and it contained the sane
provisions Of the other ordinances on
the same proposition. The rates are
placed at 10 cents per thousand
watts, and reduced In price &C.
cording to the amount of electricity
that a consumer uses. The city is
given the right TO purchase at a
certain period. and also provision is
made for a re-a1justment Of rates at
the expiration of q certain ii me.
Alderman Burns reported on sew
elal ordinances which had been
referred to the ordinance committee.
He presented the Rosenthal electric
light ordinance with an %unfavorable
recommendation, which was con-
Cured in by the council. The water
fountain ordinance was presented for
favorable action AMI vas placed on
its first reading.
The reports of the city officers
were made, In which Justice Herbert
reported that fines to the amount of
S137 had been assessed, that S72 of
them had been paid and that bis
fees amounted to S42. 30. The report
Of city treasurer Kibbee for Septem-
Der was accepted and placed OF file.
His report for October was referred
to the finance committee.
The usual bills against the city
were read and warrants were ordered
drawn for their payment. The
amount of insurance that is carried
On the city hall building came up
for a short discussion. Chairman
Koch thought that 1928. 900 was too
much to carry on account OF the
expense and believed that with the
good fire protection which Mitchell
now had that it could be reduced.
The situation after discussion, vas
referred to che city ball committee
TO arrange for the insurance with
power to act. 1t WIS thought best
to place some tornado insurance on
the bniliing.
Chairman Dovlp of tho fro CON.