Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1910-12-29

Entire reorganization of the po-
lice department with F. r. Archer
at the head; heated debate over the
existence of a saloon in South Alb
erdeen and an proposed ordinance
creating the office of city electrician
were the principal matters to come
before the regular meeting of the
city council last night.
The report of the police committee
consisting of Alexander, Newell and
Hits, was unexpected in it's scope
it having been expected that Officers
Anstie and Jensen with possibly Miles
would be the only ones to suffer. May
or Benn in commenting upon the re-
port Of the committee expressed his
regrets over the continued lack of
harmony in the police department
and expressed his belief that in Ar
cher man had been found who would
if given a free rein, put the depart
ment upon the proper working ba-
sis.
The report of the police commit
tee follows:
ITO the Mayor:
cat your request we have investi-
gated the affairs of the Aberdeen DO
lice department and find it is in
very demoralized condition and that
a general lack of harmony and or
ganization exists in the personel there
Of and has existed for the past five
years. We find that many of the
officers lack tact courtesy and judg-
ment in their dealings with the pub
lie. In view of existing circum-
stances we reoommand- that the DO.
lice department be completely reor-
ganized from top to bottom and that
the terms or all police officers be de.
clared to end January 1 and that the
Mayor appoint new chief of police
and that he be given full authority
to appoint his subordinates and that
he be held accountable for their con-
duct"
This report was adopted in it's en-
tirety by Mayor Benn and will be-
come effective January 1.
Saloon Debate Warm
Argument over the pending renew
al of liquor license to S. B. Nc
Cracken was warm and lengthy. The
matter came up when City Clerk Pet
er Clark announced the receipt of
two petitions, one signed by 166 be-
ing against granting renewal and
another with 420 names attached re-
questing that it be granted.
Several residents of South Aber-
deem addressed the council in the
matter. declaring that the petition in
favor of the license was signed by a
greater number than there were vot-
ers in the ward and was not repre-
sentative. The real residents, and
those who lived in South Aberdeen
and owned property there, said the
speakers, were against the saloon and
not McCracken personally, all speak
ing in high terms of the proprietor
of the establishment.
The speakers declared that South
Aberdeen was residence district
and that they felt it wrong to permit
a saloon to exist where women were
forced constantly to pass it and in
the vicinity of which their children
lived and played.
Mr.. McCracken spoke in his own
behalf denying charges which he said
had been laid to his door.
The matter was at last placed in
the hands of the police committee
who will meet with representative
of the South Aberdeen residents and
McCracken next Monday night at
which time the matter will be gone
into in detail.
Seek City Electrician
An ordinance providing for city
electrician who will also take up the
duties of the plumbing and gas in
spector, was introduced by Council
man Bailey and was referred to the
judiciary committee after first read
ing.
The street committee was directed
|, to ascertain from r. r. Dabney as
to whether or not he was giving a
sufficient portion of his lots on Dab
ney hill to provide for the proposed
road or the entire lots, the difference
it being contended by the council
being material. The question was
raised because of communication
read by City Clerk Clark, wherein Mr.