This Day in History: April 28th, 1911

This Day in History: April 28th, 1911

OPPOSE 50 YEAR PHONE FRANCHISE

Opposition Crops Out at Public Meeting in Milltown to Give Citizens Opportunity to Be Heard Upon the Subject.

MILLTOWN, April 28-A public meeting was held in the Borough Hall last evening to permit the citizens to express their views on the granting of a 50-year franchise to the New York Telephone Company for the operation and repairing of Their system on all the thorough- fares of the borough. The company at the present time has an unlimited franchise on North Main street, Washington avenue and Riva avenue, and has obtained from the Borough Council by special resolution the right to operate their system on Church street and Van Liew avenue.

Mayor Richter explained the purpose of the meeting and then gave the citizens the privilege of the floor. William Kuhlthau was the first speaker, and advised the Council to go slow; he said that 50 years seem- ed a very long time to him.

Charles Richter urged that the Borough Council limit the number of poles to be erected, and that they obtain the use of the poles for the electric light wires.

The company asserts that it will erect no poles without the permisslon of the citizens in front of whose property the pole is to be erected, and promises to give one telephone to the borough for every 50 subscribers. The company, if granted the franchise, will install a telephone in the Borough Hall.

As there were no more opinions offered the Council adjourned until May 5, when the bids for motor fire trucks will be received.

Fire Meeting.

The firemen held their regular monthly meeting in the club room at the Borough Hall last evening.

A great improvement is being completed on North Main street. The concrete sidewalks in front of the Bauries, Rappleyea, Sevenhair And Evans properties add greatly to the appearance of the thoroughfare-

Raymond Van Hise. who succeeded Christian Crablel in the South Main street grocery business, is daily improving the appearance of his attractive place and reports progress.

Rev. J. W. Morris will attend the banquet of the alumni of Pennington Seminary, held at the Hotel Martinique, New York, at 7 o’clock this evening.

Everyone is interested in the cake sale which is to be held at the M. E. parsonage tomorrow afternoon.

Miss Mildred Stelle is one of a luncheon party at Brooklyn today. The First Quarterly Conference of the M-E. Church will be held in the church lecture room to-morrow evening. District Supt. Dr. John Hand- ley will preside.

J. Ryan left the borough yesterday afternoon for Kansas City, where he will take up his duties as agent for the Michelin Tire Co.

Henry Baler has purchased a Maxwell touring car.

Oscar Harkins is enjoying many trips on his new twin cylinder seven horse power Indian motorcycle.

MILLTOWN, April 28-Weather permitting, the Crescents will go to South River to-morrow to play their second game of the season. It is thought that a large number of local enthusiasts will accompany the team, in order to size up the chances for a good season.

Paul Matske. well known as a ball player in New Brunswick and vicinity, a former catcher for the Rutgers Prep. School and Dayton teams, will probably make his initial appearance with the Crescents tommarow He will probably play one of the outfield positions.

J. Snedeker and Kuhlthau will compose the battery for the Crescents.


This Day in History: November 22, 1913

This Day in History: November 22, 1913

ORDINANCE TO WIDEN RIVE AVE. IS PASSED


MILLTOWN, Nov. 22.-An adjourned meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening. Mayor Conrad Richter presided. Councilmen Chas. Baurles, Henry Kuhlthau, Geo. E. Crabiel, Al Skewis, B. Miller, Clerk R. A. Harkins, Messrs. C. W. Waddington and R. B. Sheppard of the water commission board were present.

The following bills were ordered paid:

Chas. Hoffman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2.00

Home Insurance Co. . . . . . . . . . . $12.80

C. P. Stelle. . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . $239.35

Mrs. John Lins was permitted to remove two trees in front of her property on Clay and Church streets The trees had been damaged by lightning.

A resolution approving the plans and specifications of the Sewer and Water Commission was adopted.

An ordinance regarding the widening of Riva avenue, from Main to Clay street was introduced passed on the first reading.

The ordinance provided that the borough would remunerate property owners for any damage that might be incurred and if agreement could not be made the Borough will have the right to condemn such property as may be necessary to obtain the desired width.

Prior to introduction of the above ordinance a petition from several property owners along the avenue was presented.

A resolution was adopted that the borough clerk post notice of intention for widening of the avenue in five of the most prominent places in the borough.

On motion the clerk was authorized to notify the railroad as to the condition of the crossing at Main street near the Michelin Tire Co.

The clerk was also authorized to notify the Board of Freeholders as to the condition of the bridge crossing Lawrence Brook.

The light committee was authorized to purchase a transformer for use in connection with the ventilating system at the school.

On motion the clerk was authorized to send a special notice to the property owners along Riva avenue, who have not as yet signed petitions for widening of said avenue.

Milltown to Have New Order.

C. H. Crenning, who is well versed in lodge work, has decided to use his best efforts towards instituting an Order of Owls in the borough, provided he can secure the necessary signers to the petition, which he is about to circulate. While the Order of Owls is practically now here in the East, it was founded at South Bend, Ind., in November, 1904. During its existence the growth has been marvelous, and branches of the order have been established in nearly every State in the Union as well as through Canada. Nearly 1,900 nests have been instituted with a membership of over 300,000.

The owls have a furnished home for their orphans where they educate them, at South Bend, Ind. They also have their own hospital. They now have a bill before Congress to set aside public land for a tuberculosis hospital and camp for the members of the order. They assist deserving widows of deceased members by a monthly pension. Their ritual; is beautiful and ennobling. They advocate no creed-nothing offensive to any man’s religion.

The special charter fee is $5 per member, and any one between the ages of 13 and 55 desiring to be- come a charter member may do so by singing the petition. After the charter is closed the regular initiation fee will not be less than $10; hence you can readily see the advisability of getting in on the ground floor.

The motto of the Order of Owls is as follows:

“There’s so much bad in the best of us,

And so much good in the worst of us,

It hardly behooves any of us

To speak ill of the rest of us.

They also have a toast, which reads as follows:

“Here’s to the man whose hand Is firm when he holds your own. Like a grip of steel that makes you feel

You’re not in the world alone.”

The new home of Charles Durham is nearing completion so far as the exterior is concerned.

Other Town Topics.

William Kuhlthau, Sr., is spending a few days at Morris Park, L. I. A reward of $10 has been offered. for information that will lead to the arrest of the parties that entered the building, adjoining Red Men’s Hall, and splattered paint, about the walls and floor.

At the Churches.

At the Methodist Church there will be special revival services, both morning and evening, and in the event of Miss Annie Agnes Smith, the evangelist, not putting in an appearance, Rev. L. L. Hand will occupy the pulpit. There is, however a likelihood of Miss Smith being able to take up her duties here tomorrow.

At the German Reformed Church there will be memorial service in the morning at 10.30, and members of families that have been bereaved during the past year are especially requested to be present. Sunday school will be held at 9.30 a. m. as usual. Young People’s Society will meet at 7 o lock and usual evening service will be held at 7.30. there will be services held on thanksgiving Day at 10.30 a. m.