The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-04-29
The MAYORS MESSAGE.

Norfolk Neb., April 25.-To the City
Council of the City of Norfolk-Gen-
tlemen: There are few transactions
in the administration of the affairs OF
a city that are even temporarily held
in confidence of those charged with
the conduct of the public business;
every step taken is under the obser-
walton of an intelligent and watchful
people. The condition of the city and
its affairs are known from day to day,
and suggestions as to needed action
on part of those in charge of the af-
| fairs thereof find an earlier voice than
that which is spoken by the mayor in
the messages from time to time to the
city council and his recommendations
therein contained.
The statutory duty which requires
the mayor from time 70 time 20 give
to the city council information as to
the condition of the city, and to rec
Ommend to it's consideration such
measures as he may judge necessary
and expedient, is tittingly performed
by me in recommending to your con-
sideration matters and needed action
on your part which have come to my
knowledge since my last message.
1t is gratifying to note as | near the
close of the first year of my admins
tration of mayor, the public improve
| ment completed and begun, and it is
| with no little pride | feel the assur-
| ance that at least the paving of the
business portion of Norfolk avenue is
an assured fact, and that this is only
one step toward the paving of the
main streets of the city, if not during
my term as mayor, as rapidly as the
same can be safely undertaken.
In matter of public utility | would
| recommend that the council pass an
ordinance requiring that all poles of
whatever kind and under whatever
| right or franchise erected, be removed
from paving district No. l. and that
before paving said district that pipes
| be laid under the gravel in said paw
ing district from First to Sixth street
| for electric light cable, preparatory to
the municipal ownership and installa-
| ton of lighting plant for lighting at
| least the streets of said city; and in
this behalf | would recommend that
the city council employ an electrical
| engineer to estimate costs of estab.
lishment of light plant for said city,
| FOR lighting the streets thereof at
least, the power to be furnished in
| connection with power for water
works OF the city: and for your infor-
nation in this matter advise you that
! have in my possession a letter from
reliable and competent electrical en-.
gineer Offering to come to Norfolk and
give estimates of costs of establish
ment of such lighting plant and to do
the preliminary drafting, showing ex.
actly what the costs will be, without
costs to the city, with the understand
ing, however that if the proposition is
submitted to the voters and adopted
that he is to have the engineering in
| the establishment of the plant at SO
OF the costs of the same.
The safety of the citizens as well as
their property within the limits of the
city depend to very great extent
upon the efficiency of the fire depart.
ment and its ability to afford protec,
| ton and assistance in time of danger
to life and property from fire, and
this likewise depends upon the condi
ton of the water works of the city
and If the pressure is insufficient then
the firemen are powerless. | regret
that | am obliged to again call your
attention to the imposition upon the
city under the present water works
contract or lease. This contract has
been almost daily violated and the
city and property of its citizens ex
posed to danger from fire in neglect
ing to keep sufficient water in the
standpipe, and at other times in care
lessly allowing the pipe to overflow tC
the damage of property of adjacent
owners as well as to that of the city
These violations are so fragrant, and
neglect malicious and willful as to call
for action on part of the city council
| looking to the cancellation of the lease
and contract, and | recommend and
urge that immediate steps be taker
with that purpose in view, and in or
der that the city may again be in pos
session and control of the pumpine
station and power house that steps be-
taken to establish a municipal light
ing plant to be run in connection will
the city waterworks, both to be pro
PEELED by the same power.
call your attention to the fact tina
the hose wagon is too heavy for tn,
purpose of the city, and that the sam,
should be exchanged for one lighte
and more suitable for the city's needs
lighter wagon would be stron