The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1911-11-16
COUNCIL MEMBERS
ROAST MAYOR
SALARY UNPAID ATTORNEY RESIGNS
Hartwig Says Warrants Are Drawn On
Improper Fund Contract Made
With HydrO-Electric

The city hall needed no fire in the
stove Monday evening to keep the
temperature of the room at blood heat.
when the members of the council began
their pointed criticisms relative to the
action of Mayor Hartwig, who has
refused to sign warrants in payment
of the salary of Judge A. j. Derby
and as a result of which action the
city attorney rendered to the city
fathers the resignation of himself and
his partner, Jesse Stearns, of Port
land. While there was no display of
temper the undercurrent of the feeling
ran high and the mayor was gruelled
in turn by the members of the council,
who, however, used plain English and
did not mince words in their attacks on
his policy of obstinacy.
The first sharp attack was made by
councilman Early, whose statements
brief and to the point made the
visitors to the coucil room awaken
from any lethargy they might have
been in. The councilman, after the
communication from Judge Derby
announcing his resignation was read.
asked the city's chief executive to
state to the council what his policy
would be in the future in reference to
signing warrants, and that If he didn' t
feel equal to the task to please call
some one of the older members of the
body to the chair and announce his pol
icy through him as a kind OF interpre-
ter.
The shock had an effect on the mayor
that was perceptbile, but he bore it
valiantly. He seemed to be surprised
when the warrants were mentioned
and as soon as he could collect himself,
he asked the recorder what warrants
remained unsigned by him. When in
formed of the city attorneys salary
warrants, he announced that his
reasons for refusing to sign them was
that they should have been drawn
against different funds of the city in
stead of improperly against the gem
eral fund of the city, citing as an eX-
ample the fees of the city engineer.
The recorder then explained that he
had drawn the warrants on the general
fund Just as his own were drawn and
that he had always considered this the
proper fund from which the salary
should be paid. 1t was shown that
previously the mayor had signed salary
warrants of the city attorney drawn on
the general fund. The attitude of the
recorder was supported by different
courcilmen, who spoke on the subject.
If the salary for the past two months,
for routine fees, of tie city attorney
were paid by the plans of the mayor
| II different warrants would be neces-
sary, while the entire sum amounts
to only $54.00.
Councilman Brosius then asked the
mayor if the distribution objection was
the only one. He answered that he
had left note on the recorders desk
to this effect. DR.. Brosus in few
brief words went on to tell the mayor
that his policy had always been to op-
pose anything proposed by the council,
instead of making an attempt to CO.
operate with them. He said "The
haragsment of your open and definite
opposition has made it necessary for
US to scrutinize every action before
you.
In speaking of the deliberations of
the mayor Councilman Robertson said
"The great majority of the people OF
the city have signified their desire,
their strong desire, for a municipal
water system, and the council have
been giving their undivided efforts foi
the purpose of bringing this about.
Yet the mayors actions have always
been a stumbling block. BY his recent
refusal to sign the warrants in pay
ment of the water plant at the valua
ton assessed by the condemnation jury
he caused loss to the city of severa
hundred dollars in rentals.
Judge Derby and Mr.. Stearns have
familiarized themselves with the city's
interests. They had charge of the
condemnation proceedings recently
heard before Judge Bradshaw here in
special session of the circuit court
The city will need their services in the
appeal, which the United States Mort
gage q Trust Co., holding the bonds Of
the Pacific Power 4 Light Co., has
made to the Supreme court The mat
ter was referred to the judiciary com
mittee, in order that some means
might be made for an adjustment.
After having read petitions signec
by the greater portion of the city's
representative citizens, asking that 8
franchise be granted the Hydro Elec.
tric Co. for lighting the city's streets,
the council took action for the drawing
of a contract between the company and
the city, providing that the new elect
ric concern furnish the lights deemed
necessary by the council for lighting
the city streets for period of ter
years, and giving the city the option
of renewing the contract at the eXpir-
alton for the period for an additional
fifteen years.
In add essing the council upon the
merits of signing such contract, DIR.
Brosius said in part For the past
three years, whenever the city council
has broached the lighting subject,
every company in charge has sidestep.
ped the issue, and we have never
been able to get any definite contract.
The Hydro Electric 60. is the first that
has ever approached US with a definite
and reasonable proposition.
After the council had orderd the con-
tract, DIR. j. +. Watt, president OF
the new company, thanked the council
for their action. The sentiment of the
people in the matter was very crafty
ing. he said The rates of the rev
company are almost 100 per cent lower
than those charged at present by the
Pacific Power Il Light Co., the loca
manager of which, Albert S. Hall,
states that the city will be enjoinet
from entering into the contract How,
ever, he does not give the gorunds foi
the injunction.
At the request of adjoining property
owners, who state that they will beai
two thirds of the expense of installa
tion. the council agreed to pay the sun
of $50 toward the building of foun
tain at the intersection Of Oak anC
First streets, and to furnish free o.