The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-10-02
MAYOR JONES OF TOLEDO.

elected. Now he Is putting his ideas to
the test M far as possible. In many ways
he is an unusual mayor. Instead of Civ
Ing one hour day to tho work, as most
OF his predecessors have done, he seldom
spends less than five hours each day at the
city hall. His office is open to high and
low alike Tho wealthy citizen with deal
up his sleeve and the hungry wayfarer who
Is looking for work enter through the same
door and are given tho same consideration.
In order that tho various heads of the
city departments may work in intelligent
harmony no hns instituted series of
monthly conferences, Mt which the needs
OF the city are freely discussed. His plans
Tor dispensing with contractors on public
work have been already put before tho
common council and arc in fair way to
be adopted. If they are, the laborers will
work directly for the city, and tho bulk of
the appropriations, instead of being pocll-
eted by some shrewd and unscrupulous
middleman, will he distributed among the
people who actually earn it and who need
1t most. The institution of municipal
lighting plant comes next on the mayors
programme.
1t Is not to be imagined, however, that
Mayor Jones hns been allowed to leave tho
beaten tracks without exciting criticism
and opposition from various sources The
orthodox church people are active in de-
nouncing him because he has not enforced
the Sunday closing of saloons. Mayor
Jones does not attempt to deny that he has
not tried to keep tho saloons closed on
Sunday. He simply says that public opin-
ion will not sustain tho authorities in a
rigid enforcement Of Sabbatarian ordi-
nances.
Tho evil of the liquor traffic." he says
In answer to them, "is an unmitigated
curse, but it will continue to exist ms long
us the people want it. 1t Is an ugly fact
that tho man who brutaliZes himself with
rum SIX days and nights demands it and
Will haven't on the seventh, law or no law"
Although n native of Wales, Samuel M.
Jones, with his broad gauge mind and his
practical philosophy, is an American prod
uot. His parents came to this country
when he was only 2 or 3 years old, and he
spent his boyhood in tho northern part OF
New York state. A toiler with his hands
from childhood up, he is u thoroughly self
made and self educated man. For three
years he worked on steamboats, and then
went to the Pennsylvania oilflelds, where
he worked as driller. BY hard work and
good management he saved Il little money,
and this ho invested in productive oil
property.
fof tne past 20 years hlr. Jones hns been
moro or less of an oil producer, and no
still owns wells in Ohio and Indiana,
which he is developing. He has also given
some attention to making mechanical de-
vices connected with tho business, and in
this manner he has turned an inventive
genius to good use. Five years ago he
settled In Toledo and established a factory
for the manufacture of oil working appli-
ances, and he has been largely successful.
One OF Mayor Jones most notable deeds
of philanthropy was tho establishment Of
Golden Rule park in the poorer section of
Toledo. He bought vacant square of
land near his factory, cleared it of rubbish,
planted trees and shrubs, made paths and
erected swings, benches, mnypoles, see
saws, etc.. for the children and threw 1t
open to the public. 1t is now favorite
resort for the people of that previously
parkless section of tho city and is known
rs Mayor Jones park.
FRANCIS B. TALBERr.