Newport Paves the Way: Council Awards $9,841 Street Grading Contract

At an adjourned meeting of the city council held last Friday evening the contract for street grading was awarded to Fife Bros., their bid having been the lowest received and considered in every way the best. They have accepted the contract and are under agreement to begin work by July 1st and have it completed within sixty days. Their bid was for $9,841.60, distributed among the various streets as follows: Spokane, $3,593; Warren, $1,955; Third, $1,084; Scott, $2,036; Fourth, $573.

A regular meeting was held Tuesday evening of this week at which all members of the council and the mayor were present.

A petition was received from L. Gilbert, asking for a permit to erect a frame structure, 18x20, to be covered with corrugated iron, and located on the rear of his market on Washington Avenue, to be used as a woodshed and smokehouse. After considerable discussion the matter was referred to the committee of the whole for investigation and action.

The committee on Judiciary and Legislation reported favorably on the application of Weinkauff and Koch for a license to retail liquors, and same was granted by a vote of the council.

Councilman Millard reported alleys infested with manure and rubbish heaps and the city attorney was instructed to prepare notices to abate these nuisances and have same served on property owners by the marshal.

Petition of A. L. Ries for liquor license was received and referred to committee on judiciary and legislation.

Ordinances No. 102 and 103, establishing the grade on the west two blocks of Fourth Street and creating an assessment district for the improvement of same, were given third reading and passage.

The matter of the water company's charge for fire protection came up for the 'steenth time and a special meeting with representatives of the company was arranged for next Tuesday evening. The original charge of the company was $4 per hydrant at a time when there were but six hydrants in service. About a year and a half ago eight or ten new hydrants were installed and since that time no bill has been rendered the city, nor were there any arrangements completed as to rates.

The street lighting proposition came up for discussion and a proposal for the city to put in an equivalent of twelve metallic flame arcs at this time and three more at the expiration of one year, was favorably received by both parties. The matter was referred to the next meeting at which time a contract will probably be entered into.