The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1915-09-21
MERCHANTS
ASSOCIATION
INTERESTING MEETING HELD AT
THEIR ROOMS LAST EVENING.

A meeting of the Madison Mer-
chants association was held at their
rooms in Dakota State bank block
teresting in view of the fact that this
date marks six months existence of
the association in Madison. Members
recounted work that had been ac-
complished by the association during
that time in the interest of the city
which makes a fine record.
Most important perhaps is securing
to the city a modern street lighting
plant which is now being installed
and will be in operation within two
weeks. This consists of thirty single
electric light posts extending from
Third to Seventh street, six posts to
a block, with posts in the vicinity of
the depot and also in East and West
Fifth street. This enterprise was
negotiated by the Merchants ~associa-
ton, business men advancing the
money for the plant, about $4,000,
which will be returned to them by
the city within perhaps two or three
years. Every citizen of Madison will
be proud of this plant when it is in
OPtA dNlOhs anu AIt AltI1AAdnA0 dSNO~
citation is entitled to great credit for
its enterprise in securing it.
Another enterprise which the Mer-
chants association has been instru-
mental in securing to the city is a
change TO an automatic telephone
system. The plant which has been in
use in the city has become antiquated
and the modern automatic system to
be installed will place Madison in the
front rank of towns of the state in
modern telephone facilities. The Da-
kota Central Telephone company has
under construction a fine up-to-date
office building in East Fifth street
and Oon will commence laying I'M
derground cables in the business sec
ton of the city for the new plant,
removing all aerial wires. The resi-
dence portions will be provided with
cables instead of the network of
aerial wires now in use, the new inn
provement adding much TO the beau
ty of the city. The plant will be in
stalled and ready for the use of the
public early in the spring.
Other matters of public benefit ac-
complished by the association are APP
preparations VI go per HlOutH lGOul
the city and the same amount from
the Commercial club for the benefit
of the band, and also an a%ppropria-
ton of s25 per month from the city
for the benefit of the rest room. For
all time the business men have main
tanned the street sprinkling of the
city by private subscription which
has become something of a hardship
i'm view Of the fact that the entire
city is benefited by the work. Ac-
cordingly the Merchants association
took the matter up with the city
commissioners with the result that a
fund will be created for the payment
of street sprinkling out of public
funds after this year.
These are enterprises valuable to
the city which have been brought
about by the Merchants association
in the six months it has been in ex-
i~stence. assuring its future useful
ness.
Matters under discussion last even
ing were street paving. ~boulevards
for the residence sections and good
roads entering the city, all of which
are needed to make an up-to-date
city, and which will undoubtedly be
brought about through the energy of
the Merchants association.