The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1904-12-15
WHERE Will THE
CITY GET MONEY?
MATTER PUZZLES THE MAYOR
Tells the Council They are up Against
it Tax Limit win not
Produce Enough.

"We shall be up against it for reve-
nue. in a few weeks" said Mayor Blow
ers to the members of the city council
at the adjourned meeting last Wednes-
day evening. GAS | understand the
local option law we must refund $1,000
to the saloon keepers the first Of Janu-
ary. Where we are to get the money
is puzzle. The county clerk has Just
notified us that the taxable valuation
of the property within the city limits
of Hood River is 1854, ,5S5.
"a ten-mill tax, which is the limit
assessment according to our city charter,
would produce S2545.S5. 1t will take
half OF this sum to pay the saloon
license rebate. Then there is $400
payment to meet on the fire engine
an equal amount to expend in tho com
pletion of the road to the boat landing,
from $4,000 to $4,000 for a system of fire
protection, the running expenses Of the
city for street Improvements and so
forth.
"There are more bills on the table
now than there is money in the treasury
to pay. You have got to do something
stances as well as |, and | have merely
called your attention to them that you
may think it over before we meet
again"
"Didn't the prohibitionists tell us
before election that we would all cheer
fully dig down into our pockets and
meet the necessary eXpenses2 Guess
We'll have to Dig" remarked Council
man Mcdonald
Recorder Nickesen suggested the
council might find it profitable to give
monthly teas.
The members of the council stared at
the pile of bills on the clerks table and
brought themselves to a brown study.
What plan is hit upon remains to be
developed. The lawmakers informally
resolved themselves into committee
Of the whole to devise ways and means
for conducting the affairs Of the city for
the next II months without the $240O
saloon license.
Early, of the Street committee, re-
ported that a conference will be held
with the railroad company to decide
what street will be the most convenient
for grade from the new freight depot.
Improvements will be made when this
is decided upon.
The finance committee, which had
been instructed at the previous meeting
to find out just what the cost would be
for the system of fire protection the city
is about to secure by contract with Joe
Wilson, reported that the pipe and hy-
drants could be put in for $4,000 or $500,
but to meet the demands of the insur-
ance companies for more complete fire
department the expense will amount to
$4,000.
On motion of Mcdonald, Ordinance
No, 92, providing for a contract for
water for fire protection with Joe VIII.
son, was read a second time. 1t was
then referred to the fire and water COM
mittee for a few alterations, which Mr.
Wilson was willing should he made to
meet the demands of the insurance
underwriters in order to secure reduced
rates.
1t was the suggestion Of Mr.. Early,
and it met the approval of Mayor Blow
ers and the members Of the council,
that the city proceed to secure the
water for fire protection, and meet the
other requirements regarding com
plet, fire department as the finances Of
the city permitted.
The deed from E..W. Hopkins to the
city Of Hood River, conveying a sewer
right of way, was ordered placed on
record.
Recorder Nickelsen read communi-
cation from County Clerk Bolton, which
showed the assessable property vaIua-
tion of the city of Hood River to be
1854, ,5S5.
Will Sheets, chef Of the Volunteer
Fire department, was given the privi-
lege Of addressing the council. Chief
Sheets thought the platform leading
from the engine house should be made
less slanting, for fear that the fire
engine, when pulled onto sidewalk
covered with ice, might turn turtle and
smash things in general. He also re-
quested that the council supply the fire
department with a half dozen pairs of
gum boots and a dozen rubber coats.
On motion Of Councilman Mayes, J.,
f. Rand, chairman Of the fire and water
committee, was instructed TO see that
the boys were supplied with the neces-
sary boots and coats, and that a lock
was placed on the door Of the engine
house.
The following claims against the city