The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1912-01-18
PETITION FOR
REFERENDUM
PEOPLE TO VOTE ON ORDINANCE
Purchase of Water Plant a Paving Invest
ment Mayor Appoints Standing
Committees and City Officers.

One Of the most interesting matters
before the Common Council al its
Monday night meeting was the petition
signed by about sixty resident voters
of the city, invoking the referendum
on the recently enacted ordinance of
the council providing that all electric
light, power and telephone wires in the
city should be constructed in accord
ance with the State Employers Liabil-
lty Act. The reason for the invocation
of the referendum, as stated bv those
who circulated the petition, was that a
sufficient time had not been granted
the owners of wire systems and the
matter should be referred to the peo-
pie rather than TO the council. The
slgners of the petition, with the ex-
cepton of few business men. were
largely made up OF employees and men
interested in the welfare of the Pacific
Power 4 Light Co. The petition was
referred to the Fire and Water com
mlttee, with instructions to use every
effort to bring the matter to an issue
as soon as possible. 1t is thought by
some that the ordinance will have to
await the action of the people at the
general election here December 8
However, others assert that since the
council initiated the law in the pas ing
of the ordinance il will be gwen the
right to set the date Of placing il be-
fore the people.
One Of the peculiar incidents of the
discussion of the referendum petition
was the talk made before the council
by S. f. Bartmess. Mr. Bartmess
who had signed the petition, stated
that when it was presented to him. the
clrculators had told him that 1t was
not IN the interest of one company for
the benefit of both of the lighting com
panles. Since then, said MIR. Bart
mess, 1T has been reported to me that
the Pacific Power & Light Companv's
lines are a menace to the public safety.
II such is the case, do not think there
should be any delay in making the
change, to conform with the state
laws. " However, Mr.. Bartmess did
not have his name erased from the list
of signatures.
The old Fire and Water commit.
tee reported on the pr, sent financial
status of the water department. War
rants have been drawn against the
department to the extent of 81 ,O55. 80.
The net returns of the department for
the three monthg, which as all know
are the worst of the whole wear
81, l,64S.96, or $5l9.65 per month. By
making it rule that consumers shall
pay their rentals at the office before
receipt of bills. the committee will
save the city the sum OF 5000 year.
A new system has been ordered in
stalled for keeping the water accounts.
which will greatly simplify the work.
Miss johnson and Hugh j. Smith were
compIimented by the committee on
their work in the department. 1t was
recommended that the water funds be
placed in the hands of a water com
mission instead Of the Fire and Water
committee.
A communication was received from
the Volunteer Fire Association and
Arthur Clarke, who is one of the Of |
hcers Of the association, was present |
and explained to the council that at |
present the Fire Association only mad
n members, while il was allowed SO. !
Tie stated that because of no suitable |
quarters in which to meet, the Young |
men were not attracted by the organ
lzation and that they were leaving it.
He told The council that the depart
nent had purchased the gymnastic
of the old Athletic Asso.
cation and that if the city would fnr-
llsh suitable quarters. the department |
would pay the expenses of fuel and
lpkeep, in order that good club rooms
night be had. The communication
vas referred to the Fire and Water
with instructions to confer
With the members of the Fire Depart
nent and to use every effort in com
)lying with the request of the commu-
llcation. Mr.. Clarke stated that the
lower City department was willing to
give the Heights tiremen 'he use of
he chemical engine as we'll as the use
If hand eXtinguishers.
A communication was received from
=. q. Hall, who stated that on account
If the inclemency of the weather he
lad been unable to complete the Co
nmbla street improvement work. His
equest for an extension Of time was
granted.
A message from the mayor was read
md referred to the Judiciary commit
ee, who parcelled its suggestions and
eferred them to the different commit.
ees of the council for action.
Standing committees were appointed
~ Mayor Wright as follows: Judici.
Brosius, and Stranahan
finance Staten, Huggins and Strana-
IAN; Streets and Public Property
3rosius, Robertson and Staten; Fire
md Water Robertson Brosius, and :
1uggins; Health Stranahan, Mayes,
nd Staten; Printing and Police Hug {
.ins, Mayes and Robertson. Robert {
!. Lewis was re-appointed city mar {
bal Robert Stone, night watchman
)r. Jesse Edgington, city health Of
Ger; and A. j. Derby, city attorney. {
/. j. Smith having been recommended !
y the conncil as water service man, '
he maVOr made no aDpointmpnt