The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1911-04-12
MEETING OF CITY
Commissioners
PLANS ARE DISCUSSED FOR RE-
TRENC HMENT w ALL LINES
UNDER AMUSEMENT.


Gil chambers at the city hall last
night with a full attendance. There
were several matters of Importance
transacted, but the general trend
of the business was retrenchmnt in
every department of the city's admin
istgation and before long there will
be several vacant offices about the
city hall
Commissioner Bridgman intro,
duced a resolution which he has
had in contemplation for some time
calling for most drastic cutting down
of expenditures and the elimination OF
several hired men in every depart
ment Mr.. Burnitt said that he want
ed to go on record as being in favor
of economizing, was in favor of cut
ting expenses, but thought that Mr.
Brdgman's resolution was too dras-
tic, and pruned most too close to the
bark. Mr.. Dawson seemed to think
the same and said that they ought
not to skin the goose that laid
the golden egg, meaning that the
affairs of the water department,
which was the only revenue produc-
ing department of the city, would
refuse to lay if it was picked too
close. Mr.. Dawson moved that the
matter be taken under advisement,
seconded by Burnitt. On coming 70
vote, Mr. Bridgman voted no be-
cause he wanted the matter put
through at once. Burnitt, Dawson
and Owen voting aye, and the meas
ures submitted were therefore TAX
en- under advisement. 1t is evident
that there is going to be a great
deal of pruning done, and there are
some jobs about the city hall that
VIII not be any fatter, and some
not even be as robust as even the
commissioners jobs. Its a good
thing that this happens in the spring
of the year when agricultural inter
ests demand much attention
NJ. lkard, commissioner elect from
the fourth ward, was present and
took part ex-officio, in the proceed
ings, getting his hand in so that he
Will be able to fall into line grace
fully when he assumes the reins of
office in May.
1t was inferred from his remarks
unofficially made, that he had his
knife sharpened, and was in favor of
expenses himself There will
no doubt be something of interest
to record in the near future. 1t ap-
pears that the present assessment
Will only produce revenue of
about thirty-five thousand dollars.
and Finance Commissioner Bridg-
man says that amount Is short
about seventeen thousand dollars
of the amount necessary to run the
cltys affairs, and that unless there
is pruning done deficit to this
amount will be staring the city in
The face. Mr.. owen opposed cut
ting down the street department
in any amount. He said he was will
ing to double his taxes if necessary
to keep the development of this part
-
standard, or until the work was COM
pleted.
From Mr.. Dawson's remarks it
could be inferred that he was not
in favor of any pruning in the wa
ter department and there is no doubt
these matters will be thoroughly
threshed out and a happy medium
struck that will not cripple
either department, but will at the
same time result in preventing any
deficit in the city's finances.
Mr.. w. j. Carter, the rooming
house man, was invited up to explain
to the board of commissioners why
he had so many women employees,
as there had been considerable talk
as TO the conduct ol these houses.
1t appears that Mr.. Carter conducts
four of these places, and that he
had total of five females en-
ployed, and that as far as he knew
there was nothing out of the way at
any of his establishments that could
be questioned, as he always en-
deavored TO run his houses in
clean and orderly manner, and that
the police were always accommo-
dating and efficient in isling
him, but of course it was impos-
sible for him at all times to keep
out persons of questionable charac-
ter, but when he was apprised of
the fact they We're compelled to
leave at once, and he had called
on the police at various times to
assist him in doing so, which they
always did. AS no accusation had