The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1914-01-08
Says Corporation Has
No Rights to the
Streets,
AGREES
Also Will Attempt to Collect
Rest Of EanInss-New
Ordinance Pr sscnted.

by the unanimous vote of the coun-
Gil last evening. The city of Mitchell
will Immediately start proceedings to
%enjoin the Dakota Central Telephone
company from .lic use of its streets
and alleys, on the ground that the
franchise OF the corporation expired
on May IL, 1913.
Other acts of Importance at last
evenings session were the placing of
a stringent electrical ordinance on its
first reading, the decision to make
official inspection of electrical meters,
the making of plans to commence the
gravelling or oiling of streets in the
residence sections of the city and an
agreement to investigate the feasibil-
ity of assessing buildings by valua-
tons placed Theron by a commission
of experts. The meeting was one of
the most important held in recent
months.
The telephone matter was brought
TO Il head by two resolutions pre-
scented by City Attorney Lauritz Mil
Ter, which We're unanimously passed
with but short discussion. One resolu-
ton declared that the Dakota Central
Telephone Company had no right to
operate its system in the city of Nit
chell after the expiration of its fran
chlse on May IL, 1913, and that the
city attorney was authorized to insti-
tute suit TO restrain it from operat-
ing or charging is system.
More Money is Due.
The other resolution declared that
there was now due from the telephone
company 10 per cent of its gross
earnings from May 81, 1911, to May
IL, 1913, and that suit should be
started to collect the same. Suit is
now pending for the collection OF
moneys alleged to be due previous
to this period.
The code of the National Fire I'm
derwrlters was given as the basis OF
the new electrical inspection ordin-
ance. which was placed upon it's first
reading. n of the chief features of
the ordinance was the creation of the
Office of electrical inspector, who
shall be appointed by the mayor and
approved by the council, oversee and
approve all electrical wiring done in
the city and he given general police
powers to enter buildings and enforce
his authority. The salary of the in
spector will be discretionary.
Licenses for Electricians.
1t is further specified in the ordin-
alce that the inspector shall be en-
powered to charge fees of 10 cents
for each opening inspected under the
number of ten. Over this, the fee
shall be 5 cents each. No connec-
tion shall be made without the an
proval of the inspector. One drastic
feature of the ordinance is that all
electricians shall be required to take
out a license for $25 and give a bond
in the sum of 81, 900.
Another ordinance of less import
ance, which was placed on its first
reading, provided that all refuse aud
debris should be burned in burners
constructed Of iron or brick, amply
screened and guarded while a fire was
in progress. Another ordinance pro-
hibited the throwing of ashes upon
the street. Because of changes be-
ing made in the proposed building
and plumbing ordinances, they were
not presented last evening.
Will Test All Meters.
communication from j. III. Day
ldson, of the Widmann hotel, that
gross discrepancies existed in the
electrical meters of the city, prefaced
the motion passed by the council,
that the city engineer be instructed
TO purchase an instrument whereby
electrical meters may be tested and a
check maintained upon the charges
of the power company.
Upon motion of Councilman S. D..
van Benthuysen, the council voted to
send the Mitchell Power Company a
resolution calling its attention to
recent d~elinquencies in service, espec-
tally on New Years day, when gas
was shut off all over the city at the
noon hour.
Need Expert Opinions.
j. II. Davis, city assessor, address,
ed the council briefly on the subject
of creating a commission of experts,
preferably contractors and builders,
to examine a number of buildings
about the city and fix a standard of
valuations to govern him in making
assessment. The suggestion was fav-
orably received, and expressions from
the members of the council indicated
their willingness to act in the matter.
1t was suggested by Mayor A. T..
Hitchcock that action be taken in or
der to have the commission cooperate
with the assessor by May /.
Council John Michels urged that
the city prepare to make practical
tests of %grayelled or oiled streets in
the residence districts of the city the
coming year. While no formal ac-
ton was taken, it was suggested that
West Third avenue be improved with
a view of making a practical test.
Should the test be successful, it is be-
lieved that residents all over the city
would be DESTROYS of the improve.
ment. The council voted to open a
gravel pit on Third street, between
Minnesota and Edmunds street, OF
the South Side, for the use of the
city on street work.
Petitions from residents at the in
tersection of Eleventh avenue an(
Sanborn street and of Capital addi
ton, asking for six street lights il
: all, were referred to the light com
! mittee. No action vas taken on TIL
petition to widen the roadway OF
2 East Fifth
Skating Rink Asked. ~
- S. H. Scallin presented a petition