Little Falls herald., 1914-09-11

bership in the league was Of no value
to the city and should be dropped.
City Attorney A. H. Vernon stated
that the league is very GOOD proPo.
sition and that $40 spent for member
ship is well worth while. The league
is now but a year old, and as yet It
has not been possible to accomplish
much. This year, however. the refer.
ence bureau has spent great deal OF
time in looking up public utility rates
throughout this and other states and
will soon issue q booklet containing
statistics, which will show what rates
are discriminatory, etc. This, MI.
Vernon said, should be Of much value
to Little Falls, especially at this time,
when a gas plant is about to locate
here. Also in view Of the tact that
the water rate in this city is three
times as high as in other, cities of thas
size. Enlightenment in such matters
might bring about an investigation, ne
said, and save the citizens Of Little
Falls many times the amount Of the
annual dues. The main object Of the
league is that the cities Of he state
may cooperate on any plans Of I'M
provement and exchange ideas which
are the betterment of the community
The matter was left over until the next
meeting.
The bill Of Mrs. Mary Lakin for
washing towels was held up for short
time, it being suggested by Alderman
Venners that this work be given to
some person who is city charge and
the matter was referred to the poor
committee with power to act. The bill
in favor of Mrs. Lakin was allowed.
A check for So from Alderman Geo.
Peterson for rent of the pasture in the
Pine Grove park was received.
An application by T.. E. Richard for
a permit. to erect one story, skeleton
frame, steel clad building on the lot
adjoining the Emporium, was granted,
after some discussion as to what COM
stituted q fire-proof building. Sever2I
permits have been q anJed in the past
for buildings Of this kind and the
chief fire warden has complained that
they are not fre-proof and should not
be allowed within the fire limits.
A petition for 10-inch sewer on
Third street northeast was left over
until the next meeting.
Frank G.. Boyle, representing the
Little Falls-Darling Gas company,
stated that the company would like an
extension of time to start work on the
gas plant. This was not the intention
of the company originally, he said, but
within the past few days he had re-
ceived letters from Mr.. Suit, president
Of the company, stating that he would
send money Immediately for the pur-
chase of the property and to start work
with. Mr.. Boyle stated that at the
present time he can see no chance of
their failure to get work started by
the last Of this month. The time was
extended to Septembe 80, 1914.
The city clerk read the report of the
city's treasury receipts for the year
ending September l, 1914. The total
amount of the receipts was $59, ,092.12.
F. A. Nelson asked that if possible
something be done to remedy the con-
dition Of Broadway between the bridge
and Kidder street east. He stated
that there is always pool Of wata
the entire length of the street from the
Of the lack of drainage. Part Of this
water comes from the stand pipe near
the Harrison & Peterson building. The
matter was left to the street commit
tee for investigation and to report. at
the next meeting.
Mr.. Nelson also brought the atten-
tion of the council to the condition of
a certain building, located behind the
Berstein fur repair shop. He stated
that the shed has been moved out of
its original place and is unsightly and
a breeding place for germs. The shed
belongs to Carl Gerspach but is on
the property owned by Mr.. Brockhof
Of Wadena. Mr.. Nelson asked If it
would be possible to have the building
condemned or removed. This matter
was left until another meeting as there
was a question as to the legality of
condemning or removing the building.
City Attorney Vernon informed the
council that he had conferred with Z.
G. Gordon Of the Water Power COM
pany in the matter Of the Marshall
damage case, and that the company
held it was not liable and would con.
test an action if one were started. Mr..
Vernon said that he would like to be
authorized to see Attorney Morton
Barrows Of st. Paul before th council
decides to drop or appeal the case. Mr..
Barrows is an expert in negligence
cases and it would be worth while to
have his advice in the matter. The
cost would not exceed 500. The value
Of knowing where the liability rests is
Of great value in this case, where the
defect causing the accident was col
small, inasmuch rs there are numerous
other places where similar defects ex-
ist. The council authorized Mr.. Vernon
to visit Mr. Barrows and get what ad.
vice he could, the cost not to exceed
500, including the compensation to
Mr.. Vernon.
The city clerk was instruct 80 ad-
vertise for bids for 50 tons Of coal FOR
the city hall.
City Attorney Vernon advised the
council that the annual tar lazy must