The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-02-14
SITS Up AND
TAKES NOTICE
Hammond Becomes Inter
ested in Legislative
Matters.
MANY STRIKE HOME
Verdict Passed On Other Measures
Cities and Towns Law Claims
Attention,

AANAA4AA4OAtO people are beginning TO
get extremely interested in the pro-
ceedings of the legislature now in ses-
sion at Indianapolis especially since
this city is directly affected by all the
more important measures new pending.
The $1,000 license bill and the metro
politan police law were both disposed
of, either one way or the other when
they came up for discussion among the
taxpayers, and now the cities and towns
law is in the lead.
There seems, however, to be che pre-
dominant sentiment among those who
give the question study and this is, let
we'll enough alone. Politics does not
enter into the discussions. the meas
ure really never having been of a
political nature. In the cities repre-
scented at indianapolis where they are
trying to overthrow the measure or
amend it in such a manner as to cripple
it, the board of public words and the
controller seemingly furnish the best
wedge to accomplish the object.
All Have AK 10 Grind.
1t is readily believed that the agita-
tors came to Indianapolis with an ak
to grind. In Ellwood for instance.
the salary expenses for a board Of pub
is little work for the board members
tc do. The little could be easily ac-
complished by a committee appointed in
the council. In other words for in
stance the councilmen would like to
take over the work of the board Of
public works and thus entitled them
to divide the boards salary among
themselves.
These two tendencies are absent in
Hammond. although there are tax
payers who say that it should be the
council who should spend the peoples
money, as the people are represented
by the councilmen and not the board
of public works.
The theory seems to be good, but a
comparison between the results at
tanned by the council committees Of
former days and the present day board
of public works, ip favor of the
latter with a saving Of % per cent
for the city. The figures are there to-
day and a few minutes of reference In
the city hall books will bear out the
statement.
Controller in High Favor Here.
Whatever may happen to the board
of public works, Hammond seems to be
| unanI1nOuS Tor the retaining OF q city
controller, even at a better salary. The
taxpayers have come to appreciate the
fact that anybody may go tc the con
troller and get any desired information
on matters pertaining to the city's
finances Every cent is accounted for
and can be traced within a few minutes.
The taxpayer appreciates that he does
not have &c wait for an expert to come
from Chicago every few months to tell
the people what their city debts APP
prOXimate and that no bottom can be
reached in the chaos of figures, as was
the case under the old regime
J. D. Smalley, the present city con
troller, was apprc ached yesterday by a
LAKE COUNTY TIMES reporter who in
order to test the accuracy and prompt
ness Of the office asked for a 1906 CITY
water report, a library report and
finally for a general city report not
including the water report. The three
reports were easily given and will
probably be submitted tc the council al
it's next session. The reports are as
follows:
The Report.
Less outstanding orders Dec. 81, hm
Water report for 1906.
Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1905 4,034.1e
Revenues in until Dec. 81, '06. 5O,24354