Arizona republican., 1912-06-19
BUSY SESSION !
 CITY COUNCIL
Many Important Matters Discussed But None of Them of Pressing Ur- gency; School Board In vites Friendly Lawsuit

The city council held meeting last night at which numerous things were discussed and disposed of either for later action. There was much of passing interest but nothing of start ling present import though some mat ters were touched upon that may well be given later and careful considera ton. One, for instance. was the brief address made to the city council by fTank McCrary of Florence. parole clerk at the penitentiary under Coy erhor Sloan. Owing to the many thlngs demanding attention MT. Me Crary did not talk long nor go deeply into the subject but set forth in q general way his idea of the benefits ot what might be called jail reform work by a properly constituted board or the handling of the criminal ele- ment from an economic business standpoint. His idea is that Phoenix mlght well afford to experiment in the work for a few months by em- ploYlng an agent to cooperate with the police and other officials. keeping a careful record of everything done and the saving made to the city in dollars and cents as we'll as to the families of those who are jailed for violation of city ordinances By the time new charter is devised the people would know whether they wanted to incorporate in it pro vision for a board to have charge of such work permanently. MT Me Crary's plan. he says, has been dem onstrated by practical work else where and does not involve a maud lin sentiment in behalf of public of lenders but rather insists on their proper punishment. at the same time so handling them that either the city or their families, or perhaps both. may he benefited Each case would be inquired into and the punishment made to fit the crime If the pris- oner could and would produce for the benefit of tn city or his family it would be better for both to put him lat work than to keep him in jail at public expense. earning nothing and becoming further degenerated The |eXpense of such an experiment says Mir. McCrary. would be very small and he thinks much more than off set by the savings made in the sys- tenn. The matter was referred to the committee of the whole for later con- sideration.
 A MT WiedenhOfer presented a bill some time ago for $18O for painting the Carnegie library and was present to urge its payment as he needed the money. The council felt that he should have his money but said there was a principle involved that it wanted to settle first. It was stated that the painting was contracted for by the library board without the knowledge of the council a practice it frOWnS upon, wherefore the bill was referred to the committee Of the whole, together with q proposition to investigate" the library board and have an understanding about the mat ter of contracting such debts. with out authority. MT. WiedenhOfer was practically told that he would get his money but he must wait until the library board is brought in on the carpet
 The discussion of the bill led to the adoption of a motion that hereafter no person should contract for or buy anything for the city to be paid for out of the general fund. except au- thOrized by the council or it's repre- sentative and the city recorder was i thereupon made the city's purchasing agent and instructed to provide blank 1 acquisitions and any other forms l partments.
 1 The matter of appointing a city en- gineer was put over until the next meeting of the council.
 | The city marshal asked for and was given authority to employ a police
 man to guard the dog catcher in his
 work and prevent such misunder-
 standings as have existed heretofore
 when citizens have come in contact with the dog catcher who cannot speak English and when both have become irritated It is intended that
 the dog catcher shall be protected ir
 his business and also that he shall not exceed his authority.
 An ordinance was read amending the Ipresent law in it's requirements oi
 those who wish to open saloons. The
 present law requires a petition carry ing the assent of 51 per cent of tht
 property owners on the same side O
 the street the proposed site is located and 50 per cent on the opposite side tThe new ordinance reduces this to 8 iper cent. Ambiguous language wa encountered and the bill was referred
 back to the city attorney
 George Simons, representing loca
 640 Electrical Workers. filed a pro
 test against permitting the sale of tn Overland Telephone company to tn
 Mountain States company, without tn
 city making an effort to buy the prop
 erty It was ordered filed.
 Two arc lights were asked for. al
 auto stand was granted a petition 2 protesting against dust in the vicinit of the stockyards was filed and ther ] was a discussion of various matters I connection with the sewer system an \ the irrigating ditches.
 l communication from the schOC A board to the city attorney said tha 1 it was desirous of selling the Centra ! leo IV,1I nr.fx 1