The Oskaloosa herald., 1905-01-12
COUNCIL DOINGs.
City Fathers Discuss the Matters Of
Railway Gates.

The regular monthly meeting of the
Oskaloosa city legislature was held
Monday evening in the council cham
Der and considerable work was accom-
plished.
An effort to secure the passage of
the ordinance prepared to force the
railroads to put in gates at the d
street crossing with the Rock Island
and Q. tracks in the council meeting
was lost. A motion to adjourn was
brought up just as the city legislators
prepared to consider the work Of the
committees and the city solicitor.
This motion was passed. The coun-
ell had previously received the reports
of the city officers, discussed some
tax matters and assessed up some
sidewalks. Some heavy discussions
had been INDUCED in but no definite
action on the matter wa secured.
Crossing Protection.
The ordinance which was ~anxiously
looked forward to by the residents of
Second ward and by many others in.
terested was turned down. To rem
edy the condition which the recent ac-
cidents have shown to be truly seri-
Gus, a meeting of the legal and rail-
road committees will be held tomor-
row evening.
At this meeting an ultimatum will
be issued to the railroads. If flag.
men r not stationed at the crossing
on D street and at the Rock Island
crossing of Seventh street within the
next thirty days, the council will or
der in gates and will compel the rail
roads to pay heed to its ordinance.
The recent accidents were cited to
show the absolute necessity of these
safeguards. 1t was stated by Council
man Kenworthy in open council that
upon the occasion of the accident to
the Standard Oil Company's wagon
neither bell nor whistle had sounded
a warning to the driver, whose view
of the train was prevented by the
buildings which continue up to the
| track side.
The council will refuse any compro-
mise with the railroads which does
not mean either the gates or the flag
men. Its compromise with the Rock
Island upon a signal bell for South
Seventh street crossing was, it was
stated in the council, a failure. The
bell has not sounded the warning with
the absolute certainty that is needful
for protection.
At the D street crossing the condf
ton is especially serious. Eighteen
passenger trains cross the street at
this point daily. There is a grade
and a deep cut up on the west, while
on the east the track on approaching
from the south is INSTRUCTED from
view by the buildings.
Ten of these passenger trains pass
here between eight and nine-thirty
o'clock in the morning. These are
during the hours when school children
from the neighborhood are crossing
on their way to their studies.
In the proposed ultimatum the
council believes it has solved the
problem. Within thirty days it ex-
poets to have a man stationed at each
dangerous point to warn the passers-
by. ~r...., ...
..... Other Matters.
W. r. Matthews named as deputy
assessors, John Perry, Lou Stanton,
and W. L. Baugh, and his appoint
ments were confirmed.
Captain Evans complained Of an er.
roneous water tax and his petition
in the matter was referred to Solic-
itor Orvis. o..
Mr.. Weldon, who also asked adjust
ment Of a tax complaint, was also re-
ferred to the city solicitor.
A report Of the public library for
the year past was submitted to the
council and placed upon file.
Sidewalks were assessed against
| Clyde Frost, s. W. Hixon ana Mrs. G..
Roberts, all the properties being in
the Schee addition.
Mrs. Wilcox was allowed $500 re-
bate upon a sidewalk, the amount be-
ing allowed for a former sidewalk
which had been torn up by the city
under peculiar circumstances.
The complaint of Mr.. Ryan, of East
Seventh avenue, who asked an allow
ance of one-half on the cost of a new
cement walk was tabled. Mr.. Ryan
alleges that he put in a brick walk un-
der the city's direction, but after sew
eral years was forced to tear it out,
regrade and build in cement.
The reports of the mayor, city treas
urer and city clerk were read and ap-
proved and the usual list of claims
was allowed by the fathers.
= Reports.
The mayor shows receipts for the
following funds received during the
past month:
Fines ...... ................$ sc. 65
Licenses ... 80. ..... 53.75