Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1909-05-18

ing OF the success which has come to
their enterprise, it is matter OF fact
that competition is the only manner
i'll which prices can be regulated
in the state of Montana. Judge
Cheadle's address was given the
closest attention by the three hun
dred or more people present.
Gebo Makes Address.
S. w. Gebo who had arrived on
the evening train, was next called up
on and as he arose, met with f1atter-
ing reception.
Mr.. Gebo does not lay claim to
any great oratorical powers but he is
fluent talker and told the people in
straightforward manner exactly
what he wanted and what he intends
to do. He said that he has over
eighty thousand dollars invested in
the Spring creek coal mine and that
despite his utmost efforts, it has been
losing proposition from the start.
He cited the fact that he has paid out
over four hundred thousand in wages
to men employed in connection with
his mine in four years. He said that
by putting in gas and an electric
plant by which he could utilize the
waste product from his mine, that is
the slack and screenings, he will be.
able to keep the mine running with
large force and supply the Lewis
town market with fuel, easily COM
peting with any company such as the
Roundup Coal company who are
shipping coal into this city.
Means Big Expenditure.
Mr.. Gebo stated that the proposed
plants means the expenditure of fully
one hundred eighty thousand dollars
and that he can raise the money in
Montana, New York or France. He
further state that work on the con
struction of these plants, gas and
electric, will be begun within six
months and, he believes, will be com
pleted within twelve months.
Replying to the charge which had
been made that he is putting in this
plant at the instance Of the General
Electric company, or the Electrical
Trust, as it is generally called, the
speaker stated that he would not
even put in General Electric ma
chine Of any sort, shape or descrip-
tion
Mr.. Gebo was loudly applauded
when he sat down.
The audience next called for Mr..
John L. Bright who arose and stated
that there were others present who
could. present his side of the question
to much better advantage than he and
Mr.. r. Won Tobel took the floor Mr..
Won TobePs remarks were largely de
voted to the charges of irregularity in
connection with the procedure rela-
tive to the calling of the special cleo
ton. He said that the people had
no conception of the nature Of the
franchises sought by Mr.. Gebo and
that it was his belief that there were
enough legal errors to invalidate the
election, if the franchises should be
granted. Mr. Won Tobel put up a
good argument for his side of the
question
O. w. Belden next addressed the
mass meeting on behalf of Mr.. Gebo
He stated that the coal man had
simply put UP to the people of Lew
istown a business proposition. He
was only asking what every other
\ Af.
without even the asking and that it
would be shortsighted business policy
on the part of the residents of the
city to turn down a proposition which
so much for the future welfare
of the city.
J. c. Huntoon followed Mr.. Belden
and produced figures to show that the
Citizens Electric company have ex-