The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-08-05
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE RECON-
MENDS THE REVOCATION OF
GEDNEY LEASE
MATTER TO BE SETTLED
WHEN MAIN BODY MEETS
Health Commissioner Addresses the
Committee and Says Interests of
Thousands Visiting Island Demand
This Action - Appeal to Courts if
Lease Is Allowed to Stand.

With one member, Assemblyman
Rosen, dissenting and another, Assem-
blyman Van Slyke, refusing to vote,
the assembly committee on streets
yesterday favorably passed on the
proposition to revoke the West side
levee lease of the Gedney Picking
company. In line with this action the
legal department was instructed to
prepare the necessary cancellation pa
pers and have them in readiness for
presentation and consideration at the
| meeting of the regular body which
takes place Thursday evening.
This action on the part of the COM
mittee was due to the presence of
Health Commissioner Ohage who
pleaded that something be done rela-
tive to the resolution of revocation
which had been in the hands of the
committee for weeks. Il not only ask
that you do something" added the
doctor, 'but the thousands of people
who have visited Harriet island the
past week demand it. They are tired
of climbing over i'll smelling heaps,
cans, mud and spur tracks, and take
it upon myself to demand that you give
them some consideration"
At this point some of the members
desired to await the report of the spe-
cial committee appointed to inquire
into the charge that the company was
not observing the terms of it's lease in
the employment of the stipulated num-
Der of men, butNit was found that the
committee did not intend to make any
report. Whether or not the company
was employing the required number of
men had resolved itself into matter
n oil Oir1in Df
committee preferred not to go on rec
ord. Even the legal department was
aVerSe to Offering an opinion.
Assemblyman-Wh offered the
motion approving the revocation of the
lease, which was quickly seconded by
AsSemblyman Wheeler. This constrain-
ed Assemblyman Van Slyke to offer a
little friendly advice to DR.. Ohage, to
not be hasty as he believed the regu-
lar body would not stand for it,
Wants Its Settled.
Il don't care whether they stand for
it or not" was the quick and spirited
response of DR.. Ohage. Il only ask
that this thing be brought to a focus
so that l can act. You have either to
turn this request down or approve it.
1t matters little to me. You simply go
o1l record as to you and your col
leagues position in the matter If it
is against me then l am at liberty to
take measures l hoped would not be
necessary. The city council has no
right to grant a foot of that ground on
the west side for purposes other than
the legislature named when it set it
aside for leVee purposes.
This step, if / am compelled to take
1t, will involve others, men that count
among my friends and who are with
me in this fight, but 1 said it would be
to the bitter end and it shah. / have
no cause for complaint against a lease
holder on the West side except this
man Gedney and the Omaha road.
Both have, tried to antagonize the
baths in every way.
Both, L suppose, are to consider
able extent actuated by business rea-
sons, but the comfort and convenience
OF thousands should not suffer for the
pecuniary benefit Of one or two"
1t was the consensus of opinion that
to approve and bring the whole thing to
a head would be the best way of solv-
ing the difficulty, and, without further
comment, beyond the refusal of AS
semblymaneVan Sfyke to vote, passage
to the resolution was given.
When the vote of approval was an
nounced DR.. Ohage's face was wreath
ed IN smiles and he went out the room
feeling happy. Il hope he is satisfied"
remarked one of the members as the
doctor disappeared from view. "Weu
it's no more than we owe DR.. Ohage !"
was the reply of Assemblyman Doran.