The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-05-26
WHY THE MAYOR
IS CRITICISED
Wrong Impression Given 10
Strangers About Astoria.
Were Left to Believe BY Inference
That the clty's Finances Were at
allow Ebb-Not Enough for Light.

It was with more than reluctance
that the Astorian criticised the action Of
Mayor Bergman in regard to the light-
ing Of the streets during the Odd
Fellows convention. Ordinarily Mayor
Bergman is on the right side of a ques-
ton when il concerns the public, but
sometimes even the most conscien-
iious official allows his friendship. Of
many years standing, for a private
concern. to influence him in his ae-
tiOns.
The thousand visitors who came as
delegates, or with delegates, TO attend
the odd Fellows grand lodge meeting
had no knowledge Of the family quar-
rel between the city Of Astoria and
the West Shore Mills Company. and
when the matter was forced upon their
attention. as it was by the action Of the
mayor, not one Of the delegates took
the trouble to inquire into and in
( form himself as to the true inwardness
and merits of the controversy.
In other words. the strangers ac-
cepted the situation as it was shown
them upon its face. and drew the
natural and logical inference from it,
namely. that Astoria was unable TO
pay for street lights and that the
ny. cst,o-. ar;tI. r,o,,,ror,, NTH nm
heard Of generosity in a corporation,
had given the city the lights it was too
poor to buy in order that they, the
delegates, might enjoy lighted streets
during their sojourn here.
Surely Mayor Bergman had no right
to place the city Of Astoria in that
light before strangers. Even his
warmest supporters admit that. They
say he made a mistake. and he did.
And crediting Mayor Bergman with
common sense. which he undoubtedly
possesses, equal at least to the average
man, the Astorian cannot see how he
could make such a mistake uninten-
tionally In view Of all the circum-
stances surrounding the case.
1t was to iisabuse the minds Of
strangers of the impression they re-
ceived, and in fact, as is known, be-
lieyed, namely, that Astoria's treasury
was in such depleted condition that
it was unable to light its streets. the
Astorian took issue with Mayor Berg
man.
But that was not the only reason
for the Astorian's criticism Of the
mayors action. The other reason lay
in the manner in which he, as the
chief executive Of the city, secured
the temporary lights for the streets,
and the Astorian reiterates that Mayor
Bergman went out of his way, wheth-
er Intentionally or not. to aid the
West Shore Mills Company in making
a spectacular bid for public sympa-
thy.
Had Mayor Bergman. at any time
during the meeting Of the council on
04OAndg lll6ilf "
Finger. or any other member Of that
body present, to the chair and taken
the floor and said members of the.
council. it is wrong to have our streets
in darkness during the sojourn of a
thousand visitors here and, regardless
Of our differences with the West Shore
Mills Company. 1 think we should do
something Immediately to remedy this
evil. even to paying for lights at pri-
vate consumers rates." not member
Of the council would have opposed any
reasonable motion to provide temper
airy lights that might have been made
But he did not do it. In fact, when
Councilman Scherneckau tried to bring
up the lighting matter. he was prompt
ly stopped by a motion to adjourn,
which is not debatable and which
was carried, leaving Councilman
scherneekau, for the time being, help
less to advocate the temporary light
ing Of the streets as he doubtless in
tended.
Had Mayor Bergman on Tuesday,
when he realized his mistake, in
failing to have the council act on Mon
day night, called the ways and means
committee of the council together and
asked them to provide lights, he would
still have been doing his duty as mayor,
not only to the citizens of Astoria,
but to his colleagues in the execu-
tive branch Of the city government.
But he did neither of these things.
On the contrary he chose to go
officially to the West Shore Mills