The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-10-02
ASTORIA OREGON, WEDNESDAY MORNING. OCTOBER

suggested that IL the labor bills wei
paid that our own citizens, who furnishe
supplies, would also fiie a bond holdin
! the commission harmless If their claim
were paid, and so 1t would go, ana ther
might be no end to the matter.
Clerk Van Dusen asked what the re
ceiver proposed to do with the $500
turned over by the commission Monday
which they supposed was to be used II
settling labor accounts.
Commissioner Wright stated that tn,
city has magnificent plant so far, anC
that 1t has been built cheaper than NIGH
have been expected and that in his opin.
ion the labor should be paid first.
Councilman Welch thought a statement
should be made for the public as to the
exact position Of the board.
On motion of Commissioner Dement, the
action of the clerk and chairman in pay
ing over to Receiver Hahn $7,OO5, was ap-
| proved.
On motion of Commissioner Bowlby q
resolution was passed that the attorney
of the commission appear in the circuit
court and endeavor to get speedy order
of court to disburse the $7,005 among the
laborers.
1t was stated that all laborers, except
the Parelii men, have filed their claims,
and these claims will take their course,
but as to the Parelli men something
should be done.
A communication was read from the
contractors and bondsmen asking that
the commission take such steps as may
be necessary to protect them in the pros
ecutlon of the work. Upon this letter
was written to the mayor signed by ali
of the water commissioners, requesting
the city authorities to furnish the neces-
sary protection from strikers to the men
who were willing to work. Commissioner
Dement, conveyed tho communication to
Mayor Kinney.
AT this stage Contractor Lucas was
called in who stated that, with the ex-
ception of one man, acl Of his men on the
stone work would go to work today II
they were given protection. That If tp.e
city did not care to protect his men, he
would protect them himself, If given
authority to do SO.
1t was reported to the commission that
the strikers in the afternoon had drawn
knives and pistols and forced the men
on the pipe line to stop work.
After considerable discussion the fol-
lowing resolution was passed.
Whereas, the city council has request
ed the water commission to pay the Ia
borers who have been working for the
Pacific Paving Company; and
Whereas, Every member Of the COM
mission deeply sympathzes with the la
borers and desires that all be fully paid ;
but
Whereas, The commission has paid over
to the Pacific Paving Co. $4,000 and to
the receiver appointed by the court, $7,OO5,
being all the money earned by said COM
pany, and
Whereas, The commission have but an
imperfect idea Of what amount is still
due the laborers, 1t being reported as
high as $1,000, and
Whereas, there are many other creditors
of the Pacific Paving Company in the city
Of Astoria, many Of whom are persons of
families and in need of their earnings
and dues, and
Whereas, The Commission would not
know where to draw the line, and how to
discriminate among creditors, and
Whereas, The commission has but one
fund, which is only for the purpose Of
building water works, and they have no
other authority than to prosecute that
one work, and no law has been shown for
taking out money for any other purpose,
and the funds will not be more than suf-
ficient to complete the present system of
works; therefore,
Resolved, That this commission is un-
able to comply with the suggestion of the
and has no authority to pay
the claims referred to.
Late last night Mayor Kinney, after
receiving the request of the water COM
mission to protect the contractors and
aborers in the work, issued instructions
to the chief OF police to protect such
men as desired to go to work under the
bondsmen and contractors, and to keep
all men away from the reservoir and
pipe line who would not work, or had
no business there. Chief Loughery imme-
1iate.y secured all the rifles in Spexarth's
store, and viii have special deputies
'eady by noon today to carry out the
of the mayor, should their
services be needed. Men on the pipe line
VIII go to work this morning and Mr..
Burke viii start the work on the reservoir
't 4 o'clock. The mayors instructions
we're specific to furnish the necessary
If 1t took every able bodied
nan in the city, and should additional
aid be required the sheriff Of the county
will be called on, and he VIII also be
called on to furnish protection outside |
)f the city limits.