The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-01-23
3f00a River Glacier
FRIDAY, JANUARY %, 1908.
Council Proceedings.

Council met in regular session Mon
day evening, January 10, 1903. Present:
Mayor Coon, Aldermen Blowers, 7. S.
Davidson, Prather, Gessling and Mayes,
Recorder NickeIsen and Marshal Dukes
On motion Of Gessling, the mayor APP
pointed standing committees for the en-
suing year. Following are the commit
tees as appointed by the mayor, the
first named being chairman of the com
mittee:
Finance Gessling, II. F. Davidson,
Blowers.
Fire and Water-H. f. Davidson,
Prather, Mayes.
Streets and Public Property-Blow-
ers, Gessling, Mayes.
Judiciary-P. S. Davidson, Prather,
Gessling.
Health-Prather, II. F..Davidson, p.
S. Davidson.
Printing and Police-Mayes, P. s.
Davidson, Blowers.
Mayors message was received and
read:
MAYORS MESSAGE.
To the Honorable Common Council Of
the city Of Hood River-Gentlemen
Permit me, at this time, TO offer for your
consideration some suggestions and rec
concentrations which | think will be
found in line with the views and ex-
pectations of the citizens Of Hood River.
We have charter which OF itself
leaves little to be desired. Ample pow
ers are granted by which the city is en-
abled to supply to its citizens all need
full public utilities-the bonding limit
however being too low. AS yet little
progress has been made in establishing
these utilities nor indeed has there been
adopted any definite policy by which
the people can know what utilities are
to be provided by the city, or by what
means they are to be maintained, Thus
far, no provision has been made by
which permanent revenue may be se-
cured, unless it be admitted that as q
city we have already become liable to
that fearful indictment: "Woe to him
that buildeth town with blood, and
establisheth city by iniquity."
Probably no city in our fair state has
better natural advantages than the city
OF Hood River for the supplying by the
city itself Of light,and Of water for domes-
tic uses, for fire protection and for sew
erage purposes.
The charter guards the city against
the granting of exclusive franchises
But, until such time asst may be con-
sidered best for the city to undertake
ist duty in these matters, | would res
pectfnlly suggest that it is incumbent
upon the city council to protect the city
against improper systemsoi water supply
as well as against the planting Of the
same at an extravagant cost, lest such
system and cost be at some future time
unioaded upon the city.
Furthermore the council should be
careful not to bind the city to any agree
ment which shall practically have the
effect to prevent the city from doing
business for itself just as good business
man may be expected to do, namely, in
its own best interests.
1t will doubtless occur to the council
that it is not good business manage
ment to enter into contracts with COM
panies which are not responsible, and
who will not give sufficient bonds.
The future growth and prosperity OF
this city will depend in no small meas
ure upon the business sagacity with
which its affairs shall be managed by
you. 1t is my belief that the people OF
Hood River expect, as they have right
to do, that you who have been intrusted
with the conduct Of its affairs will not
only protect them against excessive
rates charged by public corporations,
when such corporations are employed in
the public service, but also that such
policy will be adopted as will not be in
consistent with the prospective owner
ship of public utilities as means of
providing a permanent revenue. If
possible, cities, as we'll as individuals,
ought to be self-supporting. II is a
cause for humiliation that heretofore
the chief revenue of this city has been
derived from the licensing of public vice.
As the executive officer Of the city,
permit me to say that if there are any
ordinances which in you1 opinion ought
not to be enforced, | would recommend
that such ordinance be repealed. /
would recommend that an ordinance
be enacted providing for the referendum
in all cases wherein it is found neces-
sary on desirable to ascertain the will
of the people.
| think you will agree with me in this,
that after all we are only the agents
and servants Of the people, Yours for
the common good. T. r. Coon, Mayor
Report of the marshal was read, APP
proved and ordered placed on file. The
report showed that the sum of $40 was
due the city for impounding cattle, and
the amount was turned over to the city.
P.S' Davidson, for the committee on
finance, reported that the committee
had found discrepancy of $23.76 be-
tween the reports of the treasurer and
recorder, but that such discrepancy had
existed at the beginning ofthe past year.
1t was explained that the difference
had arisen in the sale OF the city cow after
the small pox cases had subsidized and
was caused by check having been lost.
On motion Of Gessling, the report was
accepted.
Resignation of ]. H. Dukes as mar
shal and street commissioner was pre-
sented. On motion Of Blowers, the res
ignation as street Commissioner was ac-
cepted, the charter requiring that the
marshal hold over until his successor is
appointed and qualified.
Ordinance No. 6S was presented grant
ing to the Mount Defiance Water, Power
and Light Co. the privilege of laying
mains and putting in hydrants for fire
protection and to erect poles and wires
for light and power purposes. On mo-
tion Of Gessling, the ordinance passed
first reading.
Ordinance No. 90 was read, contract
ing with the Mount Defiance Water,
Power and Light Co. to furnish water for
fire protection purposes for period OF
80 years On motion the ordinance
passed the first reading and was referred
to committee on fire and water
0rdinace No. 10, granting franchise
to the Electric Light, Power and Water
Co., to lay mains snd furnish water for
fire protection purposes for period OF
10 years, was read and ON motion OF P.
S. Davidson, passed first reading and
was referred to committee on streets
and public property.
The following bills were presented:
Truman Butler, treasurer go. $50 25
]. II. Dukes, marsha1's salary ... % 50
J. Z. Rand, nails for cross walks. 2 20
On motion OF Gessling, the bill OF Tru-