The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-12-02
RATHER STRAINED.

The difference between Mayor Dick
son and Councilman Bodenheimer, has,
in the opinion Of the Caucasian, been
given sensational turn which is UNI
warranted. The incident occurred at the
Council meeting Tuesday night and as
reported in the two leading newspapers
Of Shreveport is rather a discredit of
fine Mayor and an adulation of the
councilman which is not warranted by
the occurrence.
In this, as in other instances, the
Traction Company was the bone of con-
tertion. AS is generally known, a suit
had been instituted by Looney & Scheen
acting with City Attorney Butler, for
the purpose of securing gene1,l trans
fers from the Traction Company.
The Mayor on being queried by
Councilman Bodenheirner as to the fee
which IS to be paid Looney & Scheen,
explained that he was not ready to dis
close this information, whereupon the
gentleman from the Seventh Ward per-
sisted, when he was raped to order by
the Mayor
AT this juncfure several councilmen,
personal friends Of the Mayor, declared
their intention to stick to him and his
ruling. which they did.
Mayor Dickson added that he was not
ready to report, but would lay all the
information desired before the Council
at The proper time
The purpose of Mr. Bodenheimer was
made plain when he submitted resolu-
ton directing that the suit against the
Traction Company Be withdrawn. This
led 70 : colIoquy Of words between the
Mayor and this councilman, who APP
pealed from the ruling of the chair that
he was out Of order. The point of order
was sustained against the Mayor By
Councillnet1 Bodenheilller. Jordan, Ly-
ons, Prescott and ScofeId, while Coun-
ciInen Deal, Ford, Lowenthal and
White voted to sustain the Mayor. It
was then ordered that the suit against
the Traction Company Be Withdrawn,
and this query IS pertinent
Whg
Why withdraw proceeding which
had for its. object the forcing of a
question in which all the people have an
Interest,"
Il has been said that the Traction
Company has aboat agreed to give
transfers in recognition of the extension
Of valuable privileges which they have
been seeking for years.
Instead Of Withdrawing the suit, it
should be permitted 10 stand. Indeed,
i should be prosecuted with vigor and
only Withdrawn after reasonable set
tlemeAt Of the transfer issue has been,
# It may be, settled to the satisfaction
Of the majority Of the people.
n bis stand the Mayors action was.
within the boonds of his Office, and he
was entitled 10 some degree of courtesy,
especially when he had announced that
he would not report until he consid-#
cred i .the proper zine. or words to.
that effect
There was and there can be no need
Of NiIAdFawing this suit, and i may
be ged that the majority 81 five Of
the Council only nine Of fifteen being
present have failed to stand BY the
Mayor
Il woaid have been wiser, more bust
iessliils. 10 have obtained in writing
and plainly stipulated the conditions Of
agreement from the Traction Company
the kind Of transfers which are to be
granted fof these TaIuable privileges be-
fore &c ordering q tho withdrawal Of
tIiis si.lz
Vl9 SHOULD any eouneilnian nanl-
fess greater interest ID tie Traction
Company slsaa 3 the people