The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-01-17
SEWER CONTRACT AWARDED
to Give the University an Out
let Was Given to George
Austin to Construct.

let Was Given to George
Austin to Construct.
AN adjourned meeting of the city
council was held Saturday evening
TO finish up some business that was
not completed at the regular meeting
Cue Monday evening previous.
The two gas franchises were first
presented. An amendment was pre-
sented by CITY Attorney Hannett
covering the points brought up at
the regular meeting with refernece
to the location of the site for the
gas plants. This amendment provides
that the plants are to be placed
under the direction of the entire city
council. which will .hear complaints
from any citizen who may have
objections to the plant being placed
in too close proximity to a residence.
The first ordinance to be brought
mp for a vote was that of the Berry,
Morrow, Sinclair franchise. 1t was
supposed that the franchise would
readily secure the necessary vote of
the council for its passage but it was
defeated by a very narrow margin.
When the vote was called for Alder
men William Koch, Reeves, Kelley
and Doyle voted in favor of the
franchise, while Alderman Joseph
Koch voted against. To pass The
ordinance required a majority vote
OF the council elect and The four
votes was not sufficient to secure ITS
passage. Several of toe aldermen
expressed their surprise at the defeat
OF the ordinance. The gas franchise
OF John Absher was postponed for a
period OF thirty DAYS.
The opening OF the bids for the
construction of the south side sewer
was next taken up. The following
bids were presented the council: S.
w. Records SO. $40. 40 for work and
material or 50, O5S.2S for work alone:
Geo. w. Austin $4,000; Eric Jensen
81, 100; g. W. Haggaru 81. 775; NJ. g.
Olsen 81, 7C0. The contract was
awarded to MIR. austin as the lowest
bidder. Through the construction
OF this sewer an outlet is made for
the University sewer, and also gives
opportunity for number Of residents
on the south side to make connec-
tons. 1t will be an Improvement
that will be much appreciated. Mr..
Austin will begin work Within as
short a time as possible, there being
a few details to finish up before the
contract with him is signed.
The new bylaws and constitution
for the fire department we're pres
entcd and read and were adopted by
the city council. There is no change
in tile remuneration Of the firemeu,
but some changes were made in the
bylaws which will force a closer
attendance on meetings and better
regulations for the department.
}. b. Doty, as a representative of
the fire department, with the other
members OF the committee, were
present and called up the action TO
be taken 10y the council with refer
enGe to the purchase Of a team OF
horses for tile department. Mr.. DOuy
that the team would be
necessary to haul the chemical wagon
10 fires and that the team should be
stationed at all times 10 the fire
house, where it would be in readipess
to hitch to the chemical. The
placing of tn tean in the fire house.
he said, would neces>itate the arrang-
ing OF stalls and other equipment for
the rapid entrance Of The horses.
The fire committee of the council
was authorized to act with the COM
from the fire department in
the purchase OF the team of horses
and making the necessary improve
ments at the fire house to meet all
the requirements. The council CON-
was given full power to act as
it saw fit in making the purchase /!
and the likewise the improvements.
The council took up the charges
OF graft which bad been preferred by
Austin against Edward
Matler who has been doing sorue
surveying FOR the city. Mr.. Austin
was asked by Attorney Shuster. who
appeared for MIR. Mather, to again
make his statements. which were to
the effect what Mr.. Maher could do
concerning making the sewer trench
a certain depth and still call it
deeper, and this would throw out
the other bidders and that Austin
could get the contract. There was
much other Irrelevant talk about
the south side sewer, but this was
the main charge. Mr.. Matber
denied the charge and stated that he
sought by Mr.. Austin to ask
some questions concerning the sewer
--s - ~