Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1911-09-04
COMMISSION
in HOQUIAM
Clash Occurs Between Com
missioners Over Appoint
ing relatives to Office.
THE LAW IS VERY PLAIN
Appointment Of the Son Of
Commissioner Causes
Mayor to Object.


One of the first open disagreements
between members of Hoquiam's new
city commission occurred yesterday
when Mayor Harry Ferguson refused
to sign salary warrant of $75 paya-
BILE to Edward Ogden, son of Com
missioner of Finance w. B. Ogden,
for his services as assistant treasur-
er. The warrant was made out and
presented for signature, but the mayor
openly refused to affix his signature
to the piece of paper.
Edward Ogden had been assisting
his father in his duties as treasurer
under the regime of the old council.
receiving his pay from his father.
When the new commission took office
Ogden wanted his son appointed dep.
uty, but this request was refused
him, one of the commission advising
him not to make a family appoint
ment Ogden became angry at the
refusal and words passed warmly be-
tween the two commissioners.
Information Withheld.
When the commission took office.
prior to making appointments, it is
said that a star chamber proceeding
took place at which the list of ap-
pontments was decided on.
For the appointment of city clerk,
applications from the following per-
sons were received: H. S. Kress,
Patrick McMonagle, John T. Beach.
Edward Ogden, brother of Commits.
sioner Ogden, and Arthur Ferguson.
son of Mayor Ferguson. Commission
err Willis is said to have remarked:
Lets not consider the applications
OF relatives" and both men then re-
fused to act upon relatives applica-
tions.
Engineers Force Reduced
Later Commissioner of Public
Works Willis decided to cut down
the expenses of the engineers de-
partment, owing to lack of work, and
was William Ogden, jr. This seems
to have widened the breach between
Commissioners Willis and Ogden and
yesterday the refusal to sign the war
rant has caused another disagree
ment
When elected to office, Commission.
Ell Willis said: 81 shall not appoint
a superintendent of streets. l intend
looking after this work myself and
would just as soon appoint a child
as try to place my son in office. If
the city gives me living, there is
no reason why should try to put
in all my relatives"
Give the Law a Chance
That any such controversy should
arise is surprising, and shows the nec-
essity of having the Allen commission
law, under which We are acting print
ed in pamphlet form for the use Of
the commissioners, and to the end
that they and every city official famil.
AoiIIc ulHAocIl Will ltS pTONlSlOuS. II
the commissioners were at all con-
versant with the law under which
they are operating, this controversy
would not have arisen. The law ex
pressly forbids the appointment to Of
fee of any relative, either by blood or
marriage.
Your correspondent believes that
with the three men elected, Hoquiam
has an honest commission, one which.
with the proper support of the citi.
zenship, possesses the ability and de.
sire to give this city an honest and
economical administration. But, they
are pioneering, establishing prece-
dents, and every move must be made
with judicious care. Their acts must
be with full knowledge of the letter
of the law, and desire to obey it's
spirit if the best results are to be
obtained. The law may be found
faulty. 1t would be wonder if it
were not. But, faithful adherence to
its provisions is the best way to learn
its faults, and the quickest way to
have them remedied.