The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1921-03-05
LEAGUE GIVES .
CAPITAL CITY.
LIGHT PLANT mt
House Votes to Consolidate Two
Power Houses at Peni-
49,. tentiary
TO HAVE WHITE WAY
Authorize Bonds in Sum of
$250,000 for New State
Project .#
70 HAVE WHITE WAY

Bills of the utmost importance to
the city OF Bismarck passed in the
legislature in the last nights ses-
sion. 10 8
Included in these was the bill ap-
propriating 100000 to complete Lib
erty Memorial building on the capitol
grounds, house bill no. 1874, permit
ting the state to consolidate the state
electric plants and furnish electricity
in the city, and portion of this bill
and house bills Nos 1856 and 1877 pro-
viding for methods of acquiring water
plants.
House bill No. 134 held the stage
in the legislature frequently from the
time it nrst arose in the afternoon
until it was passed along after mid
night, with the clock set back. The
final vote was 81 to So for the bill.
House bill No. 134 originally provid-
ed for the acquisition Of a water COM
pany by eminent domain. Amended
by the senate it also provided that
the state Of North Dakota is hereby
authorized to engage in the enterprise
of furnishing electricity for power and
lighting purposes to the inhabitants
and public Of the city of Bismarck
and of tho county of Burleigh and to
supply electricity to all buildings
owned or leased by the state of North
Dakota in said city anc county and
to the state street car line; and in
the same manner the Industrial Com
mission OF the state Of North Dakota
shall have power and is authorized to
consolidate the two separate electric
plants, one at the state capitol and
the other at the state penitenttary.
and locate same on the state peni-
tentiary grounds near the city Of Bis
marck, and to manage and operate
the same, and, to make and enforce
rates, orders, rules, regulations and
bylaws for the operation thereon, ana
for the transportation OF said busl-
ness, and in carrying on said business,
said commission shall utilize prison
labor as far as possible.
The commission is authorized to fix
the rate for furnishing current for
power and lighting purposes, and au-
thorizes the issuance of $25O,WC'
bonds.
To Make City Bright.
One Of the effects of the bill, &C.
cording to some of its local propon-
ents, is to obtain for Bismarck a.
white way to and across the Bis
bridge that the city
and county would not be able to sus'
tain. Many angles entered the fight
ON the bill, the most frequently used
argument, however, being that the
state electric plant would make Bis
marck the best lighted city. in the
northwest and would furnish Tight for
the white way" and the new bridge.
The fight on this measure opened
Yesterday afternoon. The galleries in,
the house Of representatives were
packed, and the local residents made
known their views in cheers and III
catcalls. The bill was fought hard
by many Independents on the ground
that it was creating another state in
dustry. During the afternoon when
votes were taken on motions arising
out of the bill there were charges
hurled back and forth.
The bill finally went to the calendar,
being at the foot Many attempts
were made to bring it to the top OF
the calendar, but they failed, although
on several motions leading to this the
vote was 81 to 55. Representative
Bauer Lackey and Nathan, lndepend'
ents, swung their support to the DILL
and aided in the mastering OF 81 votes
fpr tho final massage.
TownpeopIe There.
During the afternoon the majority
OF the people in the galleries apparent
" favoring the bill became so loud in !,
their demonstrations that threats
we're made to cleT the galleries and
Rep. Shipley turned to the crowd ana
to their good Judgment as
citizens of North Dakota" to maintain
quiet.
There we're charges made of false
roll calls.
Memorial Buildings.
The Liberty Memorial building ap-
provided 100000 addi-
tional to the 100000 appropriated IN
1919 for the construction OF the buiid'
ing at the capitol grounds and the
historical park. The house cut the
5000. 900 to 100000 despite the pro-
tests of Burleigh county representa-
',.s. The basement of the building
now is completed, and the structure
and accompanying historical gardens
will make a beautiful spot on the cap
itol grounds.
The water bills were designed to-
give the city power to proceed toI
condemn the property of the local
water company. Whether the power is
adequate under the bills as amended
is a matter in dispute among some
attorneys and local people who urged
the passage of the bills.