The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-03-29
OPPOSITION TO
LONG FRANCHISE
VOTE AT COMMERCIAL CLUB
WAS IS FOR TEN-YEAR FRAN
cHISE AND II FOR FRANCHISE
ASKED BY THE UNION LIGHT,
HEAT G. POWER co.

The foremost question before the
general meeting of the commercial club
of Moorhead, last night, was the term
for the gas franchise asked for in
connection with the street railway
franchises by the Union Light, Heat
& Power Co. of Fargo, which are re-
'quired if the proposed %interurban line
from Moorhead to Dilworth is con-
structed.
The company ask for a twenty-five
year franchise for gas as we'll as for
the street railway proposition, but the
term for the gas franchise seems to
be opposed by many people in Moor
head and last night when the matter
was put up to the club members for
the purpose of testing the sentiment
the vote stood 25 for a ten-year fran
chise and II for the franchise asked
by the company. Some surprise was
felt at the changed attitude on the
part of ONE of the members now. to
the one they assumed when the pres
ent gas franchise was granted to the
company some years ago-it is said
they worked for the franchise like
nailers at that time. .
There was a very large attendance
of members. L. A. Huntoon, presi-
dent of the club, presided. The best
of feeling was maintained and the wild
est latitude was given to those who
desired to discuss the questions before
the club.
Samuel Kahn of the Chicago office of
the Byllesby company addressed the
club and explained the franchises
asked for by the company. He frankly
stated that he was not in favor Of a
ten-year franchise for gas. but at that
time he did not know what attitude the
Chicago Office would take when he
made his report. Reverting to the de-
mands which have been made by resi-
dents of the Second ward, that the lat
ter be provided with street railway
service Mr.. Kahn said that after a
careful investigation Of all conditions
it had been revealed that the construc-
ton of a. loop which would supply the
requested service for the Second ward
would not be a paying investment and
at present the company will not con-
6luSI lAlS PlOPOCtSlSL q 4 liz pOPuAoNiOAi
or the ward would not warrant such
an understanding. His desire was to
be frank. However, he knew that just
as soon as there was the business the
company would not have to be urged
to go after it, but at the present time
the business was not in sight.
In response to a question by Leslie
| Weller, Mr.. Kahn said that he was not
in a position to make any definite
promises.
In the discussion of the gas fran
I chise Jacob Kiefer expressed himself
in favor of a municipal gas plant for
Moorhead and he gave his reasons.
President Huntoon took the view
that the time for Moorhead assuming
the responsibility of owning its own
gas plant was rather remote. There
were other enterprises which must be
undertaken before that. The first one
would be a new central school build
ing which perforce must include all OF
| the facilities required for a first-class
high school and it will be at least two
years before that can be accom-
pIished. Another thing the city MUS
have an auditorium, or first-class pub
4 TIC HAIL ~ dS d COHlRdltAO1 W bAO AAN
hotel which will soon be opened to the
public. These and other things mus
come and will come before there WI
be a crying need for q gas plant.
Attorney Witherow cited as a fact
after careful Investigations which hat
been made. that a municipal gas PLAN
would not pay in Moorhead for SONS
time to come. Taking the two cities
together the Union Light, Heat and
Power Co. can furnish the utility {
great deal cheaper.
In remarks made by II. II. Moe ant
Leslie Welter those gentlemen made
the point that the proposed Dilwortf
extension would not be a profitable
venture for some time and that thu
BylIesby people merely consented tS
build the road this summer with thu
idea Of playing fair with the city q
Moorhead.
The meeting adjourned without tax.
ing any further action only with thu
understanding that the joint club anC
council committees will Dol meet K
decide on amendments to the fran.
chises asked for by the company 81
that a report can be made to the city
council when it next meets In regular
] aesg