Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1910-08-05
HOUSE CLEANING.
Council Meeting Devoted to
Airing Reform Views.

Sion ana some ulSagr60m6nG, some
progress was made.
Alderman Watzke started the good
work by reporting that since the city
dump grounds are closed, Fred Tom
lin was willing to allow a dumping
ground on his farm provided he had
authority from the city to direct
people where to dump so as not to
have tin cans and broken bottles scat
tered all over the farm. City Attor-
ney Ormond remarked that no ordi-
nance or action of the council was
necessary, as Tomlin owned the land,
and had more authority over people
entering on his land than the council
could possibly have. If Mr.. Tomlin
allows certain portion of bis farm to
be used as dumping ground, he has
full authority to direct just how it
shall be used.
Mr.. Tomlin has an old gravel pit on
his farm, which he is willing to have
used, tho just under what conditions
was not known, and so the matter of
designating this place as the public
dumping ground was deferred to the
next meeting.
President Lawler came forward with
proposition to have the city appoint
an official to test water, gas and elec-
trio light meters, alleging that meters
are sometimes inaccurate, and should
be tested by some authorized person,
the complaining patrons to pay the
inspectors fee. Alderman Watzke
came to the defense of the electric
light company, and said he had seen
meters brought in which would not
register on one light or two lights
and would run 80 per cent slow on
three lights, and he therefore believed
that if meters were wrong that as a
general thing the electric light COM
pany got the worst of it.
So far as water meters was con-
cerned, it was urged that the city
had their own superintendent on
whom they depended to keep the
water meters accurate, and this led to
considerable discussion as to whether
or not water meters could become
inaccurate, on which there was much
difference of opinion. 1t was finally
decided to consult the meter company
on this question.
Discussion of water meters natur-
ally led to the present waste of water
from unmetered taps, and Mayor
Cooley complained that the pumping
station was now pumping 250,0O0 gal
Ions daily, where the average con-
sumption at this time of year is usual
ly about 10000 gallons, and that
probably 100000 gallons of water
was being stolen from unmetered
hydrants, and used for watering
gardens, lawns, and neighbors' gar
dens and lawns. He believed every
patron should be compelled to have a
meter, and claimed that some with
meters will even attach their hose to
an unmetered tap in neighbors' yard
and will let water run in the winter
time to prevent the pipe from freeze
ing. Alderman Gutter cited cases
where five families were using from
one tap, while only one was paying,
and the city was the loser by $28 a
year. He introduced resolution
providing that all taps should have
meters by October 1st. Alderman
Lund vigorously opposed the resolu-
ton, claiming that it was too much
of burden on the small user. He
said the city had raised the fat rate,
and compelled people to put in lead
pipe, and that the expense was too
heavy. Others rejoined that the city.
was now furnishing water much
cheaper than people could get it from
well, and that the waterworks sys-
tenn should be on business basis,
and everyone treated alike. The
resolution carried, Alderman Lund
voting no.
City Engineer Cole complained of
the difficulty or keeping Une StreeG
cutters clear of horse manure and
other light stuff which stopped the
catch basins as soon as rain fell.
He thought that people should De
prohibited from hitching horses on
the main street, and others we're in
clined to favor the view, and wanted
an ordinance against it. City Attor-
ney Ormond, however, said that he
would like to see the horse manure
a foot deep on the main street if It'll
meant that the merchants in town
were doing some business. He
thought the council could go too far
in discouraging farmers coming to
town. Discussion developed the fact
however that the principal offenders