The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-01-05

ably enlarged BY the city acquiring
and operating both 4 steam roller
ad street sprinkler An engineer has
been employed to operate the steam
roller at 81 per day while actually
running Il who Is retained az VS. per
month for general street work when
the roller Is not being operated, aud
one man is also employed 70 run the
street sprinkler when il Is required
who il also steadily employed for
other work al. a salary OF SIS per
month when the sprinkler is not in
use,
Owing to the fact that both the
sprinkler and roller are required only
during a small portion Of the year,
arrangements should be made so that
such employees can be steadily em-
ployed Ia cleaning the streets while
the use Of the roller and sprinkler Is
not required, And in this connection,
/ wish to call particular attention 10
Section 81 Of the charter as amended
BY the people making Il the duty Of
the superintendent Of streets to in
spect the construction or improve
ment Of all streets and the constuc-
tion Of All sewers and 20 superintend
the work performed in the repair,
rolling or cleaning Of the streets and
allowing him not to exceed three
deputies who shall be appointed by
him subject 70 the approval OF a
OF the common council.
Strict adherence to this provision viii
not only save the taxpayers consid-
cradle sums Of money but will place
the responsibility for this important
work where Il rightfully belongs
Too much care can not be exercised
in considering proposed street i'm
proyements SO as to avoid unueees-
sary or reckless projects TO the neg
lect Of those which are urgently re-
quired and where improvements are
made, they should be Of a substantial
and permanent character constructed
with due consideration for the future
growth Of the city.
! most respectfully recommend that
particular effort be made to strictly
enforce all license laws OF the city
and particularly the laws against the
sale Of intoxicating liquors without a
license and in the prohibition pre-
cinets. Those who pay high license
for permission TO conduct business
are justly entitled to protection
against illicit competition and every
consideration Of public policy re-
quires the strict enforcement Of the
liquor laws in dry precinct.
Grades Too Low.
II is evident to all that the grades
Of many Of our streets are too low
and that unless raised the substantial
improvement OF our city will neces
sarily be greatly retarded, and ! woult
recommend that immediate steps b,
taken to raise the grades Of th'
streets that are too low wherever it I
possible to do so and particularly o.
that portion Of the streets wheri
buildings have not yet been con
structed as in Scow Bay and tha
where possible the streets be widene'
and that where streets are raised I,
the proper grades that FIRE limits b
established.
The ladies Of our city are entitle'
to great credit for having inaugurate,
the public library and for havin,
maintained II for many years wit
very little municipal aid, but since tn
city now contributes a considerabl
sum each year for the support Of tn
public library, | feel that | am JUST
fed in expressing the hope that III
public property committee will con
slider the advisability Of arranging 70
the use of small portion Of thi
years appropriation in purchasin
some recent standard works on eng
neering as well as some more com
plete works on biography and histor
for the use Of the public library.
| A large number Of homeless laboI
ling men are continuously in our cit
who would not feel perfectly welcom
at the public library and who befor
the Sunday closing Of saloons wer
accustomed to resort there, and f,
the accommodation Of whom woul
recommend that a plain but comfor
able reading room be provided.
The first crime Of an individu;
against the rights Of property is fri
quently caused by severe necessituou
distress resulting from being found !
the world without means, friends c
immediate employment and as as
rescue for such persons every cit
that has a large transient populatio