Fergus County Democrat., 1916-01-06
FRANCHISE To
THE: LWAUKEE
COUNCi PASSES THE ORDINANCE
FOR THE INDUSTRIAL
RAILWAY TRACK.
MUCH BUSINESS IS TRANSACTED


Gil meeting Monday evening was a
| very long one. and number of import.
ant matters came up for consideration
The granting of the franchise for the
industrial track to the Chicago, Mil.
| waukee 4 st. Paul Railway Co., oc-
cupied large portion of the evenings
time. Attorney Russell, representing
three of the property owners. entered
some objections to the wording of the
ordinance granting the franchise. and
this was vigorously, and at length.
combatted by Attorney Charles J.
Marshall. representing the railroad
company.
The monthly report OF City Treas
urer Hanley, showing the condition
of the finances and the balances in
the various funds, following the pay,
ment Of the 1915 taxes. was OF unusual
interest, and a discussion OF the
city's finances, occupied some more
time.
Mayor Symmes presided, while Al
dermen d'Autremont, Miller. Vestrem,
Mathews and Sutter, were also in their
places.
The monthly report of Police Judge
Mettler showed that fines imposed
amounted to $l.045. Of which the sum
OF $b51 was collected This is Il
record for some time.
The. Finances.
The report Of City Treasurer Hanley
showed total Of $106544 93 on hand in
all the funds. This includes 63,71O,
which Is in special Improvement dis
trict funds, such as paving, lighting,
boulevarding, etc
The collections during the month
We're as follows: From taxes, $44,-
30734; licenses. $691 SO; fees, 1854;
other sources, $74,6l163.
The balances in the various funds
follow: General, in red, $1,359 80;
road, 11,6S513; fire. in red. $3.0430 0S;
waterworks, $16593.SS; library, 81
102.97; park, $3.50; sinking $l4,.
1884; sprinkling. $654S7; boulevard
maintenance, in red, $32397 special
Improvement district. $63.7lOSS; spe-
cial Improvement interest, $10,OS257;
light maintenance in red, 1891 "a;
general interest, $2S.77; firemens' lia-
bility, $324.9O; sidewalks and curbs,
$241.61; savings, $1,000.
To Take. Up Bonds.
Mayor Symmes opened discussion
on various phases of the city's finan-
cial condition 1t was decided to take
up $4,000 of bonds issued in 1903, re-
deemable in 1913, and payable in 1923.
These bonds will be taken up at the
next interest bearing period, July /.
and are the last Of the original water.
works bonds issued by the city.
The salary of Police Judge Mettler is
but $50. He has to devote a great
deal OF time to the office, having from
two to five complaints to make each
day. and to hear these cases II was
voted to allow him $25 per month for
office rent.
The regular monthly bills were al
lowed as audited.
Discuss Franchise.
e. c. Russell opened n discussion of
The franchise, which was granted to
The Milwaukee for The Industrial track,
parallel to First avenue south He
represented some clients, and argued
hat while the track would be n bene-
1t to the city as a whole, some of
he persons owning abutting residence
property, suffered damage. He asked
hat clause be inserted in the fran
'hise to the effect that the railroad
company must make settlement, eth
,r by agreement or in a court tribunal,
'elative to damages suffered. Mr..
Marshall stated that the railroad com
'any had instructed him to make a
settlement with all these parties and
o bring condemnation proceedings
Igainst those with whom an agreement
ould not be reached. This was deemed
" the council to cover the point.
He also suggested that the track be
un down the center of the alley, in
tead of to one side in certain blocks
lie was informed that the property
wners had refused to sign the original
in which the railroad com.
amy intended to build such a track.
lis third point was that clause
hould require the company to give
ervice to all persons owning pro,
erty along the route, who desired It.
Without any discrimination and that
here should be regulations as to
ours of operation, blocking of traffic,
r storage of cars. Mr.. Marshall ar