Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-02-08
Chairman of License Committee
OF City Council Object of
Grave Charge.
FAILS TO ANSWER ACCUSER.
Councilman Fcrnstrom Says His Col
lcaguc InduIges in Sharp Practise,
Abusing Omcinl Position.

| J. B. Moreton, who is chairman of
| the license committee, was accused
| openly. without his namc being used
| personalities being taboocd by tho
| rules of ordcr-by Councilman F. s.
| Fernstrom last night on the floor OF
| the council chamber, with soliciting In
suranco business from saloonmen
when thoy applied for a license. Coun-
Gilman Moroton did not resent tho
charge and his faco betrayed a hang
dog expression. In fact, 1t 10 alleged
that at least a dozen complaints have
been made by saloonmcn that More
ton has been attempting to work his
official position as chairman of the IL
cense committee to obtain all tho in
surance on the stocks of liquor and
fixtures and buildings. On the side.
1t Is alleged, he he's also solicited some
old-linc life insurance.
Moretons alleged methods were de-
nounced by Councilman Fcrnstrom in
connection with bill presented by B.
Young, foreman fer Jake T. Raleigh.
street supervisor. and his partner. Will
of gravel which Raleigh had purchased
for the city and had it placed on the
streets. When the bill was presented
Councilman Wood. who is always after
Ralelgh's scalp. moved that the bill
be referred to the city attorney for
his opinion as to IFS legality He de-
clarcd that according to the statutes
a city official had no right to contract
with the city for goods or materials.
ConD oil ofa tn, M
seconded the motion, but he left his
guards down. he said that 1t was
q bill which the old council should
have settled. and he thought the bill
ought TO go to the city attorney since
the material had been used on the
street to see II 1t could be legally paid.
Councilman Fernstrom declared that
the bill ought to be paid. He said
that II Moreton wanted an investiga-
ton to find out how and where this
material was used, his motion ought to
embrace more.
This is not tho only thing then that
ought to bo investigated" Councilman
Fernstrom said. "How about investi-
eating tho chairman of the license
committee, who ie soliciting insurance
from tho saloonmen when they apply
for a license7" he asked. IT am in
favor OF investigating all these things"
Iuc inOtlOH WAS carried Dy a vote or
10 to 2
Morcton's face turned to a deep red
and he appeared to be embarrassed
during the remainder of the meeting,
but he did not rccont the direct charge
and nobody offered an apology for him.
The first split caused in the majorl-
ty OF the council was caused by Presi-
dent FerTy's first appointments on
the license committee. which were an
nounced In caucus. Mr.. Ferry con-
suited with Mayor Bransford on tho
appointments and this aroused the Ire
OF several OF the oouncilmen. AS tho
committee originally stood. neither
Moreton or Mulvey was on the COM
mittee. because Mr. Ferry did not
want anybody on II who could use the
position to soficitate patronage or
mako use of 1t as political capital.
That is just what the American"
members of the council were looking
for and 1t raised a rough house" In
order to accomplish their ends. these
SIX councilmen agreed to support each
other and many OF their demands were
finally obtained. After they had won
a few concessions they decided to force
Mayor Bransford into q Caucus ON
everything. Tho Insurgents" have
been defeated In several Instances. al
though some concessions have been
made to them. Councilman Moreton
will join the regulars and "be good" II
is understood. since evidence of his
solicitation Of business from saloon
men has come to hand