City Hall Hands a 50-Year Power Franchise to the New Electric Company

The city fathers met in regular session Tuesday evening. A large amount of business was transacted before the close of the evening session, and the members of the council certainly earned the salary they do not receive. All members and the mayor were present.

Under the head of communications the suggestion was offered that the council meet the next evening with the executive committee of the Commercial Club to consider means of securing the holding of terms of the Superior Court of Stevens County at Newport. The suggestion was accepted and the appointment made.

Messrs. Ries, Kellogg and Dunlap protested through Mr. Ries against the holding of meetings by the street mission workers in front of their place of business, designating them as nuisances and praying relief from the council. The Mayor promised to investigate the matter.

Ordinance No. 93, providing for the regulation of the operation of railroads within the city limits, was placed on third reading and passage. The ordinance was read by sections and no amendments were offered. Hynes proposed a motion to accept the ordinance as read but received no second. Cald moved its rejection, which being seconded by Bennett was put and carried, all members except Hynes voting against the ordinance.

Ordinance No. 88, the application of the Inter-State Telephone Co. for a franchise for the building of their lines through the city and the establishment of toll stations, was taken up for third reading. The ordinance had been referred back to the judiciary committee for amendment naming the streets to be used by the company. Considerable discussion followed on the various sections, and a motion limiting the number of toll stations to be established to three was carried. It was evident that the council did not want to pass an ordinance under which the company could get in a number of phones and thereby create a demand for an exchange system. The council finally adopted all sections after making strong restrictions. On the suggestion of Attorney Sherlock the ordinance was continued until the next meeting, as the scope of it had been entirely changed by amendments.

Ordinance No. 89, granting a franchise for fifty years to the Northern Electric Co., was approved by the council and adopted after several minor changes had been made by the council and accepted by Manager Jones for the company. The ordinance had been carefully considered by the council and no serious objections thereto were offered. The council had received assurance that the property and all stock of the old company had been secured by the Northern Idaho Montana Power Co., and had received satisfactory information as to the character and plans of the new company. The ordinance provides for two adjustments of rates during the life of the franchise.

Ordinance No. 96 providing for the improvement of Warren avenue and creating an assessment district for that purpose, and No. 97 establishing the grade, were given third reading and adopted.

Ordinance No. 98 providing for the improvement of Third street and creating an assessment district for that purpose, and No. 99 establishing the grade thereof, were given third reading and passed.