The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-09-06
HOT SESSION OF
The CITY COUNCIL
ALDERMAN STEWART WOULD
REVOKE THE FRANCHISE or
FARGO McpoRHEAD STREET
RAILWAY co.-ADJouRNMENT
CAME SUDDENLY.

Last night in one OF the most ex-
citing meetings Of the city council
ever held an attempt was made to
revoke the franchise OF the Fargo &
Moorhead Street railway; the police
were ordered to prevent any company
from making excavations across or
along the streets and the contract for
the pumping station was not let.
The gathering of the council last
evening was marked by the hot ex-
change of words at different times
and the fact that the meeting sud-
denly adjourned when reports were
being heard. Like q bomb came the
motion for adjournment when the re-
ports Of the corporation officers were
being read and the motion carried
The city budget, which has become
the sacred duty OF the council to con-
slider every. year at the first regular
meeting in September did not come UP
for consideration. The motion for
adjournment came so quickly that 1t
was Intentionally passed up or was
overlooked.
The Pump House.
Three bids were received for the con-
struction Of the pump house, one from
Fraser g. Danforth at Rochester,
Minn., another from j. C. Robertson
OF st. Paul and a third from James
Kennedy. The Kennedy bid was the
lowest, the total cost being bid in at
$4,000 for asplant with a brick Chin
ney and the same plant was bid in
by Robertson at 49,425, which was
the next lowest bid.
Stewart made a motion that the
bids be rejected and it was seconded
by Hanson. The first ward alderman
then recalled, his motion, but In the
meantime Bowers had made a sub
stitute motion that the bids be re-
ferred to the fire and water commit
tee with orders to report at meeting
to be held this evening.
City Engineer Anders was called
upon and he informed the council that
ne had been In consultation with an
engineer of twenty seven years ex-
perience and after checking up his
figures he was of the opinion that
his original estimate was considerably
low How much low 1t was he was
not sure, but he felt certain that it
amounted to several thousand dollars.
He was of the opinion that the coun-
Gil could not get bid which would
be materially lower than the bids pre-
sented by the three prospective con-
tractors.
Stewart then made a substitute mo-
ton that the contract be awarded to
James Kennedy, he being the lowest
bidder.
Alderman Mcdonald raised an OBJ
lection on the grounds that there were
several different points In the bids
regarding styles of materials, which
should be considered before the con-
tract was awarded.
Engineer Anders stated that he was
ready to make his recommendations
to the council regarding styles OF ma
terials and that there need be no
delay.
Hanson made substitute motion TO
reject all Of the bids, but there was
no second.
The mayor called for Alderman
Bowers motion of substitute, TO
which Stewart objected on the grounds
that 1t was not a substitute. Jardine
then asked to hear from the city en-
gineer.
Anders furnished the council with
all the figures for the respective bids
and gave the figures of the Kennedy
bid In each Of the different parts of
the work with the total. as well as
the next lowest bid.
Stewart wanted TO know of Anders
If there was anything to be nained
by delay and the engineer informed
him that there was not.
thought that the bids should be re-
jected. He was OF the opinion that
the council should have some one of
knowledge along such lines to advise
the aldermen.
He fired some hot shots at the city
engineer and the engineer refuted his
statements.
Alderman Cupler explained why he
was voting for the motion of Bowers
He stated that he wanted time to
think it over and investigate it. The
roll was called on Bowers motion to
have the matter come up tonight and
1t was carried.
Filter Plant Site.
The city attorney introduced o reso-
luton to the council last evening
WINCH Woc W pace the lois owned
by the city at the site Of the ultra
ton plant. within the city limits. The
resolution was adopted and the water
publication plant is now in the ccr-
porate limits Of Fargo.
Street Car Situation.
@The Union Light Heat & Power
Co. has taken the bull by the horns
said Alderman Stewart in bringing up
the question of the purchase OF the
street car company by the III. III.
Byllesby Co.
The first ward senior alderman was
wrothful In his words about the pur-
chase. He introduced a resolution
which empowers the chief OF police
to prevent any firm, corporation OF
party from crossing the streets OF
| going along the streets. without per-
mission from the council. An amend
ment was made to the motion which
| made it refer directly to excavations
being made.
| Stewart referred to the purchase OF
the street car company which holds
franchise OF the city to construct
| heating mains through and across any
4 Of the streets OF the city. He fell
that the light company should not be
allowed TO use It's recently purchased
franchise without getting the consenl
of the council
Mcdonald wanted to know OF Stew
art where there was any such work
being done. TO this Stewart replied
that there was not any that he knew
| OF and what was more there wouIt
not be any If he could help 1t.
~.
company had permission ia it's fran