The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1894-03-21
CITY COUNCIL.
Sustained the Mayors veto--A General
Talk on Economy, Etc.

An adjourned meeting of the city
council was held Monday evening at the
recorders office, present Councilmen
Eshelman, Lauer, Butts, Grove and
Joles, Mr.. Hudson coming in late. On
motion Mr.. Eshelman was made chair
man of the meeting.
The first business taken up was the
by the mayor, his written objection,
read at the meeting, being that it was in
conflict with Ordinance No. "a, section 2,
which recites that the expense for sur
veying Tin this case 500 cannot be added
to the contract price. The veto was sus-
tanned by the council, and the sewer
ordinance amended, so as to make. the
price $500 instead of $40, and passed by
unanimous vote.
A report was then read from the street
and public property committee concern
ing the city Jail, that it was not worth
repairing, and recommended that new
interior be built and partitioned off into
four cells, instead of two as at present.
After general discussion it was decided
OAl1sG uAAs OiShl1Odl1 OO " OTdlG
plans and submit an estimate of the
cost.
The resolution relating to reduction of
salaries was then read, and proved to be
the most prolific topic of the evening,
each of the councilmen, the chairman
included, having something to say about
it. A motion to lay it on the table was
lost. Mr.. Lauer then said before he
voted upon it, he wanted to know if a
cut in expenses was contemplated
in other lines; if not he did not
favor the resolution. This brought
up discussion about the arc lights.
Mr.. Joles said that he thought the
company was willing to make
rate of $12 per light for twenty
or more, but would make no reduction
on the high pole lights, as the expense
was 81 so greater each to maintain them.
Mr.. Hudson said we must cut down our
expenses or we would go into bank
ruptcy, which was now staring us in the
| face; that our debt was constantly in
creasing, while the expenses were in
creasing. He was in favor of curtailing
not only officers salaries, but other ex-
penses, such as arc lights, or we would
be hopelessly involved in debt. Mr..
Lauer thought the trouble was not so
bad as the previous remarks would sug-
gest, and said from his observations oi
the recorders books that day, the city
will come out just about even, notwith-
standing the great number of improve
ments being made. Mr.. Joles moved
that the street and public property COM
mittee be instructed to inform the COM
pany that the city would enter into a
contract to pay them $11 light for two
years or more, to include lights for of
fees and fire department., or do away
with all lights. Mr.. Grove said that
nearly every business in town was losing
money now, and there was no reason
why the company should not subject
themselves to the general condition, and
be satisfied with less profit than in
good times. He believed that if less
rate could not be made, that the lights
} should be discontinued several night.
each month during the full moon. Mr.
Butts thought that to threaten the com
pany with discontinuance of patronag,
was too much of sword to hold owe
them, that they had invested gooc
deal of money in their plant, but be
I lieved they should make some conses
sions. The motion carried. The resolu