Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1912-02-29
City Council Decides Not to
Submit Bridge Ques-
tion at Election
H FINANCE IS THE CAUSE
Washington Hay vs.. Idaho
Hay Is Discussed ---Street
Improvements

lie question OF Wnotnef the city
will purchase the West Bridge across
the Chehalis river or erect a new
one, will not appear on the official
ballot at the coming election. The
council prevented this when it failed
to pass an ordinance to that effect
last evening after listening to a re.
port from the finance committee and
city attorney as to the financial con-
dition of the municipality.
The report of the attorney follows
The following letter from City At
torney Graham explains the situation
regarding a free bridge over the Che
halls river:
Il have carefully examined the re-
port of the finance committee of date
February 24th 1912, submitted in con
nectiOn with the question of the pur-
cahse of the West Bridge. 1t appears
from said statement that the limit of
the Indebtedness which could be as
sumed by the city in it's present con-
dition is the sum of $54,373SS. OF
course, it must be understood that to
assume this amount of indebtedness
would cripple the financial condition
of the city and destroy its credit, so
that the city would be unable to cope
with any emergency or to make any
vasid contract for the expenditure OF
money, either with or without a vote
of the people.
From full examination of the said
report, which l consider a conserva-
tive one. my opinion is that the city
could not legally be bonded for more
than the amount stated in said re.
port; that it would not be policy to
bond the city SO near it's limit of in.
debtedness. and in any event bonds
issued for any considerable amount at
the present time hardly would be
marketable"
One of the amusing incidents of the
evening was a discussion on the rela-
tive value of Idaho and Washington.
hay. The council had advertised for
bids for a quantity of hay and when
the bids were opened, the Grays Har-
Dor Flour company offered it for 500
so for Idaho and $3.50 for Ellens-
burg hay. The Chehalis Produce
company offered hay for $50 per ton
and when the council learned that
the street department only had four
bales on hand, accepted the bid of
the latter company.
Councilman Crivyea, seeing an op-
portunity to crate secured the floor
and said: "Mr Mayor and Gentle
men of this Council, why do We go out
side of our grand and glorious state
for hay? Why do We pay So per
ton more for hay raised in Idaho.
than in Washington-I'll admit l don't
know anything about hay, but We
are trying to build up this great state
are advertising it abroad and still
we go to Idaho for our hay. I don't
see why We cannot get as good hay
in Washington as in Idaho"
Councilman Elder. who is an au-
thority on hay, informed Mr.. Crivyea
that he was positive that he, Crivyea,
knew nothing about the whiskers
which grew on the earth. He was
backed up by Councilman Morck, who
said he bought hay for number of
years, not for the hotel but for his
horses when he was in the contract.
ing business.
The council voted to lay the X
street improvement, as we'll as other
improvements in that vicinity, over
for one week, owing to the fact that
the property owners are not unani-
mously in favor Of any certain kind
Of paving.
Property owners in Block II pro-
tested against the proposed alley i'm
provement.
Property owners on Broadway from
First to Eighth protested against the
improvement. the petition being sign
ed by 37k percent Of the property
holders effected.
The matter was held over for one
weok drrinp which time the street