East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1907-11-14


council / wish to resign my position
as a member of the streets commit
tee, to take effect at once"
tits already accepted"
"Thank YOU"
With the above dialogue a contro-
versy that has been on for some time
between Councilman b. +. Rem and
Geary Gimbrell, city engineer, was
brought to a startling close last
night. The resignation of Mr. Rem
as street committee chairman was
given because the remainder of the
council had upheld the engineer by
accepting his report.
A written report, fully covering the
East Court street work, was present.
ed to the council last night by Mr..
Kimbrell. In 1t the total cost Of the
macadamizing was given at $4,000 of
which the city's portion is S3694. In
his report Mr.. Kimbrell stated that
after the work had commenced 1t
had been necessary to make some al
terations in the specifications OF the
contract In order to secure good
street. These changes were treated
Of In detail.
Had the city engineer any legal
right to alter the specifications" in
quired Councilman Rem, when the
report had been read and 1t was
easy to see that the street committee
chairman had some feelings in the
matter.
"He had so long as the work is
done substantially as in the contract"
answered Mayor Fee, who held that
II better street was secured thereby
the engineer had done right.
An extended discussion upon the
subject OF macadam was then in
dulged in during which Mr.. Kimbrell
cited many authorities to show that
his positions were correct. To all of
these Mr.. Rem took exception, though
he said but little.
81 have never made an expert study
of macadam, but from what the city
engineer says, l judge he has" fl
nally declared Mayor Fee, "and
wouldn't attempt to offer my opin-
lon against his"
II was then moved. by Councilman
Thompson that the engineers report
be accepted. All members voted for
the motion. excepting Mr.. Rem, who
remained silent,
Work is Approved.
The resolution declaring the ac-
ceptance of the work and notifying
property owners that they must pay
their assessments within 80 days was
then read. On the roll call all voted
aye, excepting Mr.. Rem, who ans
wered with decisive no.
A little later the third ward man
announced his resignation from the
street committee of which he has
been the able chairman for several
years. 1t was the finish of one OF
the sharpest controversies seen in the
council for some time. But while
much feeling was manifested all con-
cerned showed self control and the
dignity of the honorable meeting was
not disturbed. However, it was
shown very plainly that there are
times when good men will disagree.
Cubic Air Ordinance.
During the meeting last night. an
ordinance designed to improve the
size of sleeping rooms in Chinatown |
was presented at the instance of the |
police committee. 1t provided that |
no sleeping room shall contain less
than $50 cubic feet, or in other
words must be at least 10xSx7 in di-
mension and also have a window or
q transom. A maximum penalty of !
a $50 fine or 10 days In Jail is pro-
vided for violations of the ordinance.
The ordinance was read three times
last night under suspension Of the
rules and adopted. When the vote
was taken all responded aye, except
ing Mr.. Rem, who cast a negative
vote. ..-.
Liquor licenses were also granted
last night to many OF the local sa-
looms, 1t being the second payment
since the increase in the license fee
went into effct
A bill from tn Newport company
for $10S0.01 for work on the wing
dam at the upper end of the .levee
was granted, as was also a claim for
s55 for constructing temporary
bridge across the Byers mill race
Interest on the levee bonds to the
amount Of $3.50 was also ordered
paid. D. ..~-rl !