Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-01-10
Announces That He Will Soon
Hand In His Resignation
to City Council
PROBABLE SUCCESSOR
QUESTION OF THE HOUR
Reason Given for Resigning Is that
Private Business Will Require His
Absence From the City--Proce-
dure of Electing Successor Is a
Question of Considerable Doubt.

According to persistent rumors ON
the streets, and rumors which have
crept into the newspapers, and which
claim as their origin an authentic
source, Mayor Rodgers will resign
as mayor of the city at the next meet
ing of the city council, and about
January 90 depart for a visit to the
Holy land and other parts of Eu-
rope. In his annual message to the
council the mayor strongly intimated
that he was devoting so much time to
the affairs of the city that he was
neglecting his own business, and
shortly afterwards a newspaper re-
port had IL that, owing to the enor-
nous increase or his business its
demands had become so great upon
him that 1t would be necessary for
him to resign as mayor. This was
the first report. But now comes a
second report and it is that the may
or has for some time contemplated
and prepared for a visit to Europe
and that he will leave this winter.
and fixes the probable date as Janu
airy %, but the same report says this
is not primarily his reason for re-
signing.
Trip Is Uncertain.
"I have contemplated trip to Eu-
rope for some time" said Mayor
Rodgers, when finally located in his
Office this afternoon, and communi-
Gated with over the telephone, II am
very much in doubt now" however
he continued, whether 1t will be car
ried through. | want to make the
g a. l.,
ments can be made, but the whole
matter is now problematical."
VIII Resign Soon.
ut is my intention to resign as
mayor Of the city," he said in re-
sponse to a question as to whether
there was any truth in the report
that he would offer his resignation
at the next meeting of the city coun-
Gil when will 1t be offered?" he
was asked Eat the next meeting?'
II cannot say as to that-that Is,
whether II will be at the next meet
ing or not, but my resignation viii
be rendered soon" When questioned
as to his hreasons for resignlne.
whether IL was because as has beer
reported that his business had
grown to such an extent that IL dc
.mandnd his attention. he replied:
Tt is not so much that but the fac
that during the coming spring and
summer I shall be out OF the city a
great deal. In view OF that fact
would not be able to attend to the
duties OF my Office as they should be
attended to, and therefore believe it
incumbent upon me, under the cir
eumstances to resign"
The Next Mayor.
1t is assumed that the city council
will choose the successor 10 Mayor
Rodgers, although some are OF the
opinion that the election should be
put up TO the people. The charter
only provides for a mayor pro tenn
pore, to be chosen by the council.
There are many important issues that
involve the city credit and it's future
welfare that require a man of ability
and character to fill the position,
There is sincere regret on the part of
Mayor Rodgers friends that he can
not continue IN Office TO the end of his
term which is next December. He
has done great work In showing the
need OF bringing mountain water,
and the task is not a small one. His
warmest friends and supporters In
the city council are Aldermen Stolz
and Eldridge, and naturally are be-
ing considered as his successor.
Whether he council viii take that
view OF the matter remains TO be
seen, and II Is a question whether Il
will not take direct primary and
election to settle the matter, The
aldermen from each ward Will be apt
10 ask their constituents to express
themselves before taking a positive
stand for anyone for mayor The OF
fee never was 80 important as az pres
emit The people OF the several wards
have a right to be heard In the mat
ter.