Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1906-05-22

Inc south OOmneIcldl SlEecl improve
ment question was again the bone of
contention at the council meeting last
evening. The discussion which ensued
was led by Councilman Bayne on the
one side and the members of the street
committee on the other. Alderman
Wallace and Alderman Downing prae.
tically admitted that a mistake had
been made in the survey establishing
the grade or the Improvement of the
street. Mr.. Bayne presented petition
asking that the Warren Construction
Company be requested and required to
make the Improvement on the grade
established by ordinance, and stipulat-
ed in the contract, and introduced a
resolution in accord with the petition.
The adoption of the resolution launched
lively debate, tinged with the ex-
change of personalities between Messrs
Bayne, Downing and Wallace. Mr.
Bayne spoke in favor of the adoption
OF the resolutions, and said: 81 am
always sorry to have to make fight
for the rights of my neighbors, when
their rights are so clear" He related
his conversation with members of the
committee, and said that he regretted
that the matter had been delayed for
so long. He believed that the city
ought to protect itself against the es-
tablishment of a grade different from
that agreed to by contract. He stated
that the grade established by Mr..
Bushey was practically the same as re-
Gently made by Mr.. Fisher, of Albany.
The surface rock now placed on the
street is not, said Mr.. Bayne, as re.
quired by the contract"
Councilman Wallace said that the
problem of the South Commercial
street reminded him of Shakespeare
" Merchant of Venice" and that the
citizens along Commercial street were
playing the role of Shylock. The peo-
pie, in the majority of cases, are salts
fed with the street. "There has been
a mistake made somewhere, gentlemen
1 do not deny it," The speaker feared
a lawsuit might result.
Chairman Downing, of the street
did not think the resolutions
were manly. He termed them ga baby
act.' He said he had been told that
there was conflict between the grade
ordinance and the assessment bearing
on the same. He did not see how it
would be possible now to make the i'm
provement on the grade of the ordi.
nance, even if it could be ascertained
Councilman Aeheson said that the
property owners were divided on the
question of the improvement.
Councilman Jacobs thought a com
petent surveyor should be secured to
resurvey the grade of the street.
A motion was passed by vote of
S 10 to defer the discussion of the
until Friday evening, Coun,
Gilman Bayne moved that the Warren
Construction Company and Citizens
Light & Traction company be requested
to discontinue their work until council
passes on the question next Friday ev
ening.
Councilman Wallace stated that q
mistake of about foot had been made
by the surveyor in taking his starting
point from the monument near Mission
street. When brought to vote there
was 10 ayes and nays for the sdop-
tion of the Bayne resolution. The an.
nouneement was sort of emancipation
proclamation to a number of interested
citizens who had listened to the pro,
longed discussion.
In the absence of Mayor Waters p.
l.. Frazier was chosen as presiding of.
heer. The roll call showed all the
eouncilmen present The first incident
Of the session was raised by the motion
Of Councilman Baker to dispense with
the reading of the minutes. which
was lost by a vote of 7 to 6.
The committee on current expenses
reported on the following bills. which
were allowed, and warrants ordered
drawn for the same:
John Hughes ....,.......s 3.25
Savage & Fletcher =. :. -. :. 255
ben Drake -. ..,....... 400
White 4 cummins ...... -. 400
d. A. White & Son -. -.... ESQ
Statesman Pub. Co. ........ la75
E. 8 BudlOng :. :. :. ..... 1000
z. j. Riggs $40