The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-06-27
COUNCIL TALKED
HEAT ORDINANCE

UNION LIGHT, HEAT & POWER
i co. CONSIDERED AT COUNCIL
| MEETING HELD LAST EVENING.
The ordinance that was proposed for
the regulation Of the heating main sys-
tenn OF the Union Light. Heat & Power
GO, was up for the discussion of the
city council again last evening and
occupied the greater part Of the atten-
ton of the city dads Owing 10 mis-
understanding regarding ordinances
the question was not disposed of h,,t
VIII come up again at a. special meet
Ing held next Wednesday evening
The ordinance committee If the
council introduced a resolution which
recommended certain changes IN
former ordinance referred ia in the
resolution. The committee was ~ the
opinion that 1t was talking Of the last
ordnance which had been before the
council and there arose a dissension
regarding which ordinance was meant
To settle the controversy the last
ordnance that was considered nv the
council was read tn the aIde-r,a,,
When this manuscript had been heard
Alderman Hanson, the Chairman Of
the ordinance committee, announced
that he, nor the committee. had never
considered the instrument that thew
had just listened to. and conseouentlv
the recommendation made would have
no meaning, not corresponding to the
right ordinance.
Tho matter MO- z..-iY
referring the matter back to the ordin- |
ance committee which will report to-
morrow evening at meeting Of the
council.
Recommendation Made.
Among the recommendations made
by the ordinance committee was that
the franchise of the Union Light. Heat
q Power Co., be limited to TWENTY-FIVE
years. Furthermore that 1t be allowed
TO install heating meters at their own
expense, on any customers that the
company should elect Also that the
books of the company be inspected by
city officials, should the city desire. so
that the amount of the earnings of the
heating mains could be determined and
the proper percentage belonging to the
city be justly fixed
The ordinance committee was Arm
In Its belief that the franchise should
be limited to twenty five years, Man
ager Hughes of the light committee
stated that 1t would be impossible for
the company TO accept such an ordin-
ance, because of the manner in which X
their bonds were issued. The bonds of
the company have been sold on the
ground that the company has a per-
petual franchise and nothing less than
a hfty-year franchise could be accepted
by the company. He also argued that
the company could not extend its BUSH
ness should 1t be bound by a twenty Ii
i've year FRANCHISE.
Mayor Lowell talked on the ordin-
ance at some length and spoke of its I,
limitations He commended the ordin-
ance most highly and stated that the !
main purpose of the instrument was to !
MIX a principal of compensation for the :
city. He expressed his belief that the .
present council could erect no better !
monument to itself than the passing of
the ordinance, as he believed that it !
was the best one that had come before !
the council since it's organization.
Today the ordinance committee was
furnished with true copy of the last !
ordnance worked upon by the council !
and the city members Of the committee !.
viii consider this one in making their
next recommendation. With the under
now between the ordinance :
committee and the council relative to 1
which ordinance shall be used, it is ex- !
pected that there will be no further !
confusion on the subject. II
Building Condemnation. {
The city engineer introduced a report 4
y the condemnation of a building at d
Fourth street and Front street belong.
ng to Lars Christianson. The con-
lemnation proceedings may come under e
section under the new building ordin- "
Lnee that has been proposed, although $;
can operate under the present ordin- 81
nee.
Mr.. Christianson was present and 8;
inferred protest against the conden- ca
lation proceedings, according to the n
roper procedure of the present ordin- II
nee OF the city. An arbitration board o.
viii be appointed to decide whether or
ot the building has decayed so per -
ent., and If it has decayed to such an 4
xtent, it will then be condemned.
AT the present time there are labor
RS and carpenters working on the
uilding and the owner is attempting
get 1t in condition. The city en-
ineer has, however, as the city build
~ inspector, roped off the sidewalk
round the building, while the action
condemnation is pending.
Pumping Station Estimate. -
The city engineer filed an estimate :,
the appropriation due from the light
md for the liberation plant. Accord =.
70 to the estimate filed, there should ~
ome from the lighting fund the sum =
S6.4SS which shall help pay FOR the =
lgines. boilers, etc., that win do work -
II the municipal lighting plant when =
is established
The question was discussed pro and ~
IN by the aldermen and the city en- -
neer questioned regarding whether or ~ ~
ot the site was included In the esti- -
ate. He replied to the negative and -
e question Of determining the site -
isis was then discussed. Al motion ~ ~,
as made to refer the question to the ~ =
ght committee, but on a substitute III
otion the report OF the city engineer ~
as adopted rs'
The question of the tax assessment ~,
sainst the personal property Of Lars j.
was again considered BY ~ =
g council. The action Of the equal ~
alton board was approved and the ~
unity commissioners will be asked to 90
bate the penalty. According to the
ork that has now been done, this as pr'
ssment will be materially reduced on pu
rg0naI YrOnprfy hA hays1gxy rhs~ry,, !, / LII