The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1910-01-08
COUNCIL SEEKS TO
LOWER SHAfER SPUR
|. HAS had SURVEY MADE AND STREET
GRADE ESTABLISHED
VOTED TO LOWER METER RATES
Accepted the Offer Of the Michigan Min
efsl Land Co. and Orders Condsm-
nation Proceeded With.

The first meeting Of the city council
for 1910 was an important one in many
ways as several actions were taken
that are Of general .interest to the peo.
Pile Of the city.
One of the most important was the
lowering OF the meter rate from 10
cents per kwt TO 8 cents per kwt. The
rate of 10 cents was established a num-
Der of years ago before any investiga-
tion of the charge had been made.
Those having meters installed in their
houses found that the meter rate was
excessive in comparison with the fiat
rate charged and for some time the
patrons have been complaining and
asking to have the rate changed but to
no effect until recently when some Of
the aldermen were interested in the
matter aud shown where the injustice
lay. Another inequality rectified was
the cnarge TO saloons for electric lights
by the fiat rate. Saloons have been
paying 5O-cents per light per month
while other establishments have been
charged bat 35 cents. This difference
in price was established-on the theory
that saloons habitually break the law
and keep open after eleven o'clock.
This Is not the case here now and sa-
loon lights have been burned no longer
than lights in other business establish
ments. Many other business places
ARE burning lights longer than are the
saloons
Alderman jackson brought up this
matter rs well as the meter rate and by
unanimous vote the light rates OF
saloons were reduced to the same plane
as that for other business establish
ments.
The ofer of the Michigan Mineral
Land company was presented to the
council and Immediately accepted.
BY securing this piece of property the
city has now acquired all Of the land
on tire west bank of the Paint River
that II needs OF course. deeds have
not passed between Mr.. Bregger and
the city yet but they have agreed upon
terms and IL Is simply a question of
proving title TO wind up that deal.
The east bank remains unsecured.
That includes the Kimball and Camp
bell lands as we'll as a piece belonging
TO Breitung lying between the Lamont
mine and the Kimball land.
IL is understood that these people
are ready to come in on very reason
able basis leaving only Kimball and
Campbell out
Against these two properties con
demnation proceedings will be contin-
ned. Attorney Abbott informed the
council that the petition will lee out
this week. that being the second step
In the proceedings. The council hopes
to bring the matter TO trial in febru-
AIRY.
The. council has In mind the maca-
damizing of Superior avenue the com
ing summer and. rs a preliminary TO
this work. survey was ordered TO be
made by the same engineers who did
the work along the river The survey
\ WAS completed before Oh ristmas and
N special attention was given to the
grade Of the Shafer spur of the q. q
N. w. railroad from point whsre II
crosses Crystal Avenue TO the Parks
warehouse A profile of the grade was
made and submitted 10 the council
showing the comparison between the
street grade ~ established by the sur.
vey and the railroad grade The pro.
file shows that the railroad 10 about
live feet too high at the Superior aven-
ue crossing and seven feet too high at
the Marquette avenue crossing. The
Crystal Avenue crossing IL below the
street grade.
The council wants the railroad com
pany to lower It's grade before any per
manent street work Is done and. now
mkhat the officials know whore they are
-. the matter Ia In shape 10 take up
with the railroad people. the busi.
ness was left with tne city attorney
last Monday night. he being instruct
cd 10 take II mp with the Railroad
people and report 10 the council at it'
next meeting.