The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1901-11-19

WITH THE CITY COUNCIL.
Walter J. Reed Resigns Resolution on Disput.
ed District kaid Over


The most important matters before
the council Monday night were the ques-
ton of settlement Of the dispute over
land with the railway company, ct al !,
and the resignation of Councilman Reed.
Attorney Ira M. Krutz, appearing as a
citizen, as representative OF the resi-
dents of the disputed district, as rep
resentative for MacCrimmon and Need
ham and for the railway company, was
present and made long and exhaust
i've explanation to council as to how a
settlement was to be effected. He began
at the time when j. G. MacCrimmon Of
fered to file timber culture claim on
the tract in the district and reviewed all
the particulars Of the long contest that
has ensued over this piece OF valuable
property. He gave the substance Of the
various rulings Of the, interior depart
ment on the matter and said that bylaw
MacCrimmon and Needham both had
claims that would require decision of
the United States court to settle. Need
ham became party to contest by offer
ing to file homestead claim on the
property, the city claims it under the
town site law and the railway company
claims it under the land grant OF 1879
1t was practically four cornered fight,
although the city stepped in to prevent
MacCrimmon or Needham from getting
the property. As a speedy means Of set
Element the railway company has agreed
to settle with MacCrimmon and Need
ham providing the city will drop out of
the contest. To further this settlement
all the property owners of the district
have petitioned the city to relinquish it's
right. When the resolution came up for
vote council laid it over until the next
meeting night SO as to have more time
to look into the details of the proposed
scheme Of settlement. However, the
vote on this resolution resulted in tie,
Allen, Hall and Reed voting for it and
Sinclair, Donald and Shaw against it..
At this point City ATTORNEY Snyder gave
notice that if council passed the resolu-
ton he would secure an injunction re-
straining it from taking action. He
claims the city should get something out
of the deal. The whole scheme of settle
ment is to protect the present property
owners of the district.
The resignation OF Councilman Rec 4
was accepted, to take effect the first of
the year.
A petition was granted for board
walk to be laid on Front street from C
to 6 streets.
City Attorney Snyder presented an
ordinance to raise the salaries of the
city marshal to $50 per month, night
policemen to $50 and city attorney to
$50. The ordinance was laid on the
table after first reading. The object of
the ordinance was to compensate the
officers as named as they Justly deserve.
Councilman Allen asked for an APP
preparation OF 800 to make changes in
the city hall fire department quarters so
a team could be maintained there. The
appropriation was granted and the mayor
was further instructed to proceed to get
title to the property adjoining city hall
to be used for the fire department. In
connection with this various things per-
tanning to the fire department were dis
cussed. The water pressure was low at
the last fire, and resolution was passed
calling on the superintendent OF the
water company to be present at the next
meeting of council to explain the stu
alton. Mayor Fechter reported that the
fire insurance companies would reduce
the insurance rates on business houses
Is per cent and on dwellings about one
half, provided the city kept constantly
employed six men i'll the fire depart
ment to work the new apparatus soon to
be put in use here. The fire limits were
extended so as to include the two blocks
fronting on Yakima avenue east of Third
street.
Sinclair brought up the matter of
more cemetery space. There is no more
ground for sale in Tahoma cemetery.
The matter was referred to the cemetery
committee to report at next meeting.
County Commissioner Lince was pres
ent and asked council to bear part Of
the expense in i'm proving the roads TO
the north and west OF the city at the
municipal limits. The city engineer
was instructed to make an examination
of the roads in question and report as to
the probable cost at the next meeting.
The next regular meeting will be on
nacan,bar .