Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1917-01-30
Commercial Club Has
Interesting Meeting

Valley Commercial club was that OF
last Tuesday evening when a num-
Der Of business men and other cit
liens discussed various topics of in
terest to the community. Serious
discussion was mixed with more or
less humor, much good work being
accomplished nevertheless.
The matter that brought forth
the keenest debate was the reading
of the proposed bill by Chairman
Flood of the legislative committee,
which would force a common guage
for sleds and wagons, the bill hav-
ing been prepared by the legislative
committee upon request. This
brought forth instant objection from
nearly every one present. 1t was
contended that to force the users
of sleds to widen the runners would
work heavy expense on the farm
ers. Those opposing the measure
objected to it on these grounds. o.
S. Davis started the ball rolling
by voicing his protest, and he was
ably seconded by H. M. Schweigert.
Many others spoke against the bill,
among them being H. o. Jackson,
Chas. O'Callaghan, Frank Garris, S.
f. Henry, G. w. Spoerry, ]. P.
Dunn and many others. The three
county commissioners were present
and were asked for their opinion.
H. 4. Shively stated that he believed
it would really be a good thing for
all concerned and James Fitzpatrick
was of the opinion that while the
enforcement of such a law might
result in better roads he thought the
initial expense would be rather heavy
on the farmers. c. w. King sug-
gested that the bill be so drawn as
to require that all sleds sold after
a stated date should be of the same
guage as wagons. ut was finally
moved by Chas. O'Callaghan that
consideration of the proposed bill be
indefinitely postponed and the mo-
ton carried.
The other matter that brought
forth considerable discussion was the
proposal to request the Idaho legis-
lature to memorabilia congress to
appropriate 100000 for improving
the roads on both sides of the river
between Porthill and Bonners Ferry.
The basis for this request is that
there are a great number of Indian
allotments along this road and the
Indians have never had to pay any
taxes for the maintenance of roads
along their lands, the county having
been obliged to maintain said roads
1t was contended that it was but JUS
tice that the government assist in
this expense on behalf of the Indi-
ans, especially since part of the
road is used almost exclusively by
the Indians. President Fry started
this discussion, G.. w. Spoerry urged
that the action be taken, H. W.
Kirchoff backed up the proposal
while others voiced a favorable opin-
ion. The matter was suggested to
the local club by resolution intro
duced in the state legislature to me-
morialize congress to appropriate
$50,000.00 for building roads across
the Fort Hall Indian reservation.
The local people at first proposed
a request for an appropriation of
$15,000.00, but their desires grew
under discussion and the action fl
nally taken was to ask for $780,
10000. Some remarked, and truth
fully, that we would be as apt to get
the larger as the smaller amount
A letter was read from Represent
alive Kent at Boise urging that the
club circulate a petition requesting
the state game warden to appoint a
warden for Boundary county, and ac-
ton was taken to that effect.
Concerning the providing of more
hitching posts for the use of the
farmers, j. B. Brody moved that q
special committee be appointed to
take the matter up with the city
council and the motion carried. The
committee appointed consists OF
George Causton, E. L. Little and o
r. Stookey.
The committee on manufactures
through the chairman, H. 0. Jack
son, and A. A. Mcintyre, reported
much substantial work in securing
data relative to establishing a paper
mill here, the data being largely as
outlined heretofore by the Herald
The committee was instructed tc
forward the same at once to j. S
Clark in New York.
The resignation of A. C. Moore
as chairman of the mining committee
was accepted and o. S. Davis APP
pointed in his place. Mr.. Davis ap
pointed G. f. Croker to succeed
A. ]. Kent on account of Mr.. Kent''
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