The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-10-15
Oak Grove the Subject.
The Much Mooted $4,000 Rent
Claim Will be Submitted to
Arbitration.
Matter One of Long Standing.

The long standing suit, brought
by the Bloomsbury Land Improve
ment Company, against the Town
of Bloomsbury, for the recovery of
$4,000, being the amount of two
years rent for Oak Grove was
easily the most important matter
with which the Council had to
wrestle with at its Thursday night
meeting. 1t appears that years ago
a committee of the Town Council,
leased the Grove from the Land Inn
provement Company. with the
stipulation that after the Town had
paid the rent for a certain period
at 81, 500 a year, it was to become
the property of town. The lease
was in force for some years, when
it was dropped. Later, the Council
was desirous of renewing it, but
certain citizens protested, and took
the matter into Court asking that
Council be restrained for the reason
that the town was then too deep in
debt. The matter of renewing the
lease was then lost and the Grove
reverted back to the Land Improve
ment Co., its now owner.
The amount of the rent being
far in excess of what the Grove
was worth to the Town, Solicitor
Fred Ikeler, requested the Land
Improvement Company to submit
the matter to a competent lawyer,
as referee, to which they had
agreed. He brought the matter
before Council Thursday night,
and explained that this plan of
arbitration. would save the unneces-
sary cost of Court trial, where
upon Council decided that his pro-
position be accepted and that he be
allowed to proceed as he deems
best.
The payment Of Ss7.32 on the
]. K. Bittenbender tax duplicate
made by William Chrisman on Oct.
s. 1908, was reported by Solicitor
Ikeler.
President Townsend reported the
filing of bond by William Fergu-
son, contractor for the new 1rondale
road, work on which has been COM
menced.
c. H. Reimard of the Fire and
Water Committee, reported that
the Winona Fire Company is not
the possessor of 500 feet of new
hose. as had been previously re-
ported. A considerable portion of
their hose is old which he stated
they would repair. The Committee
was then instructed to ascertain the
exact number of feet of hose owned
by each Company.
w. L. White of the Paragon
Plaster & Supply Company, ap-
peared before Council and stated
that the plant had been assessed
for 1901 and 1902. The plant, he
said. according to agreement, was
entitled to exemption from taxation
for a period of ten years, and as it
has been in operation but seven
years, he desired the assessment
removed.
Kief Warner, of the Winona Fire
Company, asked for part pay
ment of the Company's appropria-
tion, and that light be placed in
the hose house. 1t was decided to
grant the Company one-half the
appropriation at the time amount
ing to $37 SO and also their request
for light.
The condition of Chestnut alley
was referred to the Committee on
Highways with power to act. The
alley lies Just above East street and
receives the water coming down
the extension OF Third street, max
ing the alley surface out OF condi-
tion.
Reported that the Irondale Elec-
tric Light, Heat & Power Company
are causing the cutters to become
blocked at different points by limbs
cut from trees. It was resolved that
the Company be notified to take up
limbs put in cutters by Company
and in future no more brush to be
allowed to fall therein.
Mr.. Pursel reported the dump
ing of ashes in Murray alley be-
tween Market and Jefferson streets,
which is in violation of the Town
ordinance. The Street Commis-
sioner was instructed to investigate
and see that the nuisance is stopped.
Reported that before the Catholic
Rectory, on East Third street, there
is water shut-off projecting above
the pavement and dangerous to