The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-05-24

The members Of the Common Council
met III special session last evening to
consider the report al the health aud
police committee and the city attorney
| on the Mayors suspension OF the police
force.
Two reports from the committee were
submitted, Councilmen Lebeck and Nor
| ton signing the majority report and
Councilman Leinenweher the minority,
AT tho conclusion Of the reading 81 the
two reports, Leincnweeer ! ID that
the minority report be adopted and the
motion was seconded BY Councilman
Stangcland. The minority report which
recommended that the Mayor be sus-
tanned, caused considerable discussion
between the various members. Leinen
weber IN support Of his report and mo.
tion expressed the view that the council
ought to 20 on record in the matter and
sustain the suspension Of the police
force, even though the present force
would be Immediately reinstated by the
board OF police commissioners.
Councilman Logan took the stand
that II was the duty OF the board Of
police commissioners to close the dance
halls an dthat he thought II ridiculous
FOR the council to undertake to per.
form The duties Of the various city
officials. He emphasized the point BY
saving that the council was to enact
the laws and not to enforce them. He
expressed willingness 10 close the dance
halls and wanted 10 see them closed In
fact, but he did not think that the
council In voting on the Mayors sus
pension was voting on the question OF
whether the dance halls should be per
mitted to continue but on a matter Of
principal, in, that he didn't think II the
councils duty To perform the duties Of
the various city officials. In opening
his remarks he asked the city attorney
the following questions;
Logan-'Has not the police commits.
sion full power and authority over the
police, to enforce the ordinance OF the
cityf"
city Attorney-aYes.p
Logan-@Then the council Is legis.
latiye BODY Ia make laws. and the police
commissions place is to enforce them"
City Attorney-"Yes.g
Logan--"If the council suspends the
police force. cannot the police commits
sion re.sppoint them, and thus nullify
councils actionf"
City Attorney-"Yes."
Lopan--"Are YOU not the legal adviser
OF the police commission as we'll as Of
the councilr"
CITY Attorney--"Yes."
Logan--"Did the police commission
ever ask YOU for any advice upon these
questiousl'
CITY Attorney-"No,"
The Mayor-Has the Mayor or the
council power to suspend the polios
commissionY
city Attorney-"No; they are created
by act of the legislature"
Councilman Hansen stated as his reasons
for not sustaining the Mayor that he
did not consider the suspension Of the
entire police force as Just inasmuch as
there were some members OF the force
whose beats we're at the opposite end Of
the town on in police station as deskmen
and were not responsible for the non
enforcement of the ordinances below the
deadline. when their duties kept them
elsewhere. Further that the police
commission we're the ones to be sus-
pended.
The motion for the adoption Of the
minority report was lost by 9 to q
vote Councilmen Hansen, Kaboth, lie.
beck Logan Morton and Robinson yot-
inc 10 not sustain the Mayor and Coun-
cilnen Leinanweber and stangeland
voting in the affirmative.