Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1906-09-18

contentious in the disagreement be
tween it and the construction com
pany. There was some speechmak
ing. some confession of lack of inves
tigation and so on. but finally the
committee made it known to the
council that it held that the footings
of the proposed bridge ought to be
put at a depth of four feet below the
old bed of the creek The matter
was left to the committee, with pow
er to act, and to reach some agree
ment with the company. There the
matter stands at present.
All the councilmen were, present.
with the exception of Messrs. Skaife,
Goodall, Baker and Lowe. After the
reading of the minutes of the previ-
Gus meetings, the council proceeded
with the usual routine business.
The bill of ]. G. Marsh for s32 for
work on streets was referred to the
committee on streets for investiga-
ton.
The committee on fire and water.
through Mr.. Acheson, reported that
the sorrel horse on the fire engine is
getting past usefulness, and ought
to be replaced, if possible.
Chief Savage explained that the
sorrel horse is beginning to go down,
and his wind for long runs is not
good. A new horse has been exam
ined, which can be bought for $3.50.
If that horse is purchased a trade
can be effected by which 1926 will
be obtained for the old horse.
The North Mill creek bridge con-
troversy was brought up by Council
man Gesner in his report. He stated
that the work on the bridge was at
a standstill; that it had not been be-
gun alright, and that the contractors
did not appear to be equipped to do
the work.
eve are beginning to think we
have been badly used" said Engin-
eer Glocker, in reply to Mr.. Gesner.
He then said that the work had been
stopped because the bridge commit
tee did not understand the plans and
specifications. He stated that the
committee never had visited the
work in a body, and that they were
not agreed as to the depth the piers
ought to be put down.
Alderman Gesner stated that the
bridge put on the present plans
would go down. He was bitterly op-
posed to the work being continued
in the manner in which it was under
taken. He characterized the inter-
probation of the company's represen-
tative as "slop."
1--WE are both to blame in the mat
ter" said Councilman Downing. He
acknowledged that he had not stud
led the plans thoroughly until yes
terday. He was in favor of putting
down the abutmehts deeper, but
that, under the present circum-
stances, the city ought to pay for the
extra work.
Councilman Bayne said he felt
sorry for Mr.. Downing, since the lat
ter had made report to the council,
and now held that he really did not
know all the facts upon which he re-
ported.
IF the company wants a lawsuit,
let 'em have it," rejoined Mr.. Ges-
ner. "The company. in my judg-
ment, is not ready and equipped to
do this work. We want a good
bridge. To think we are going to
put that bridge on pontoons is the
most ridiculous idea / ever heard of
(smiles). We have had enough
scandals already. / want to stand
by these specifications. Those foun-
dations will wash out"
Councilman Steusloff stated that
the contentious of the street COM
mittee was that the footings were
not put down deep enough, and
wished that they be sunk down four
feet below the old bed of the stream.
Councilman Gesner presented
resolution ordering the city recorder
to. procure the necessary blanks for
the purpose of registering voters.
and take such other steps necessary
TO have the coming city election held
in accordance with the new law.
A motion was made that the prop
er committee take the necessary
steps to procure bonds for the South
Commercial street work. The mat
ter was left with the committee on
streets,
The committee on streets will al