The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-03-21
WATER WHEEL MEN
WANT settlement 7
CITY OWES THEM $4,000 FOR WHEELS
FOR NEW ADDITION
ORDER FIRE ESCAPES ON SCHOOLS
Ciy Attorney Instructed to Draft Ordi-
nance Compelling School Board to
Made improvement.

The mid monthly meeting Of the city
council was neld ia the council rooms
last Monday evening. 1t was not a
very animated meeting as there was
but little business TO come up. Under
the head of communications the city
clerk laid before the board letter
from the company which furnished the
wheels for the addition TO the power
plant
These wheels were ordered last sum
mer and the city contracted TO pay
something over 81. O0O for them. There
has actually been paid upon the wheels
the sum OF 81, POO so that the city owes
the manufacturers balance of s.. 600
in round numbers. interest included.
The company demaned the immediate
payment of the debt either in cash or
in note which was sent along with
the letter. The note was referred 10
the city attorney who advised the
Council not to sign il as some OF the
conditions In il were not TO his liking
The matter will probably be settled
very shortly.
The council. for the first time in It's
history, got busy with the school board
and will compel that body TO place
sufficient fire escapes on the old central
building 10 insure the safety of the
lives OF the children attending school
there. This action is the result OF the
disasterous fire in Collingswood, Ohio,
in which 10 children we're burned 10
death
The action Of the council will be mp
held by all as IL seeks TO safeguard the
lives OF the children of the city. The
school board had taken time by the
forelocKs and carpenter has been at
work up there arranging oil doors TO
swing outward and, we understand.
contemplates equipping the school
house as requested by the council. The.
city will draft an ordinance. however.
so that in the future this matter Will
be regulated.
While this matter came up through
the school fire, 10 IL not intended. we
understand, TO limit the regulations TO
school houses within the city limits.
but 10 compell every property owner
whose building is more than one story
in height TO provide more than one exit
from the second floor. This is espec-
tally designed TO apply to buildings used
for public meetings lodge meetings.
etc.
The city treasurer was present and
made his report The city has on hand
about 81, 600 out OF which must be paid
the necessary expenses from now until
the license money comes in From
present indications there will not be
much more than $40. 900 from licenses
this year. If there Is that much. The
collections from the lights and water
just about pay the running expenses of
the plant and the salaries OF the city
officials so that there Il left the contin-
gent expenses OF the city 10 pay out of
the general fund. The city owes the
machinery men s.. 600 and the sewer
men 81, 700 The pump hasn been
contracted for yet but must be bought
before any good can be had from the
power plant and that means 81, 300
more so that the $40, 900 which is TO be
received from the license money is
all eaten up now aud there
will be no more coming in until taxes
are collected next fail.
The sum and substance OF the whole
thing is that the addition 10 the power
plant cannot be completed the coming
summer without a loan being made
From the experience OF the city last
fall in negotiating loans upon its paper.
IL is very doubtful II any loan sufficient
TO complete the work can be made
without bond issse and it's cinch
that the people of the city will not
stand for any bond issue, Judging
from their present temperament.
This puts the incoming council up
against an economy regime IL the
city is to get its head above water
within the next twelve months