St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current, 1910-05-13
0C~SsSSSJG
SOCIALIST COLUMN
Mayor Seidel's Message to the
Milwaukee City Council.
(continued from last week.)

Again, there are positions filled
by separate men, each covering the
same or related territory. Thus we
have harbor master, whose salary
is $1,000 annually, a superinten-
dent Of bridges, whose salary is SI,-
500 annually, and as I am informed
occasionally an inspector of bridges
aud viaducts whose duties do not
appear to be defined at all.
"Now, whatever the actual duties
of these officers might be, It is de-
cidedly apparent that they come
within the same scope. l, there
fore recommend that the inspection
and superintendency of bridges and
the harbor be combined under one
Office.
"Then again, we have treasury
department which is supposed to
handle all the funds. make all col
lections and pay all moneys, and on
the other hand, we have another
Office under the head Of water regis
irar, which collects water bills,
practically doing work which
should he done by the city treas
urer's department.
II desire to suggest that you in
vestigate the advisability Of elimi-
mating the Office of water registrar
and placing II under the supervision
Of other departments.
where city charter provisions
interfere with the carrying out Of
the above suggestions, immediate
steps should be taken TO have such
bills drafted as will admit of the
economies connected Herewith.
"The present isolation hospital
facilities are, In the words OF the
health commissioner, "a disgrace to
the city of Milwaukee, The citi.
zens in their generosity have APP
proved Of bond issue at the last
election. II Is your. duty to take
immediate steps In the matter, call
ing in professional advice. Where
II concerns the life and health Of
our loved ones. a broad policy
should guide you, that Of obtaining
the best that money can buy.
"For fifteen years n municipal
light plant has been an issue before
the public. and though for fifteen
years the people Of Milwaukee have
expressed desire therefor, their
wishes have been denied by the
men who made the same perennial
election pledge. would, therefore.
suggest that the controller Of the city
Of Milwaukee make, by July 1870,
q complete report to the mayor and
the common council Of the financial
condition Of the city Of Milwaukee.
aud the city attorney by that time
give an opinion as to when aud
how we eau establish a municipal
electric lighting plant.
at Is not practicable at this time
to give consideration In this mes
sage to all important questions de-
manding attention from the admins
tration. In subsequent communica-
tons considerations will be pre-
sented bearing OH problems as they
present themselves.
The Inauguration Of new re-
gime into municipal administration
has generally been considered In
the nature Of a private triumph aud
the feeling OF personal victory and
personal exultation was predomi-
nant. On this occasion. such feel.
ing, believe, Is entirely absent
and the whole spirit OF this day
here and now Is one OF resolve and
conservation to the task Of making
Milwaukee safe place for Its men,
women aud children. home for its
people.
"By patiently toiling with one
series OF problems after another, by
fighting battle on battle with an
enthusiasm that never lessons, by
moving forward from one point OF
victory to another, with confidence
that we are In accord with the
trend Of civilization and the highes,
ideals Of humanity, out of such
struggles as we are called by an
irresistible summons to engage in,
advances will be made and progress
will be realized toward a great city
with free independent civic spirit"