East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1912-01-02
THE NEW ADMINISTRATION.

Upon the shoulders of Mayor Mat
lock and the members of the new city
council now rests the burden of mu-
nicipal government in Pendleton.
These officials will hold sway during
al important period in the city's de-
velopment and will have much to do.
Construction work of the greatest
Importance to the city is now either
underway or in contemplation. Con-
tracts for the paving of three streets
have already been let and it is the
general supposition that further paw
ing districts will be formed in the
spring. 1t is a certainty there are
some other streets that need improv-
ing.
1t is also probable there will be a
large amount of sidewalk construc-
ton during the present year. BY an
ordinance adopted but a few weeks
since the city has placed wooden
walks under the ban as far as the best
residence streets are concerned.
Henceforth When new walks are con-
structed they must be of concrete.
Through the operations of that ordi-
nance the time will come when there
will be nothing but permanent walks
OF the principal streets and the ap-
pearance of the city will be vastly i'm
proved in consequence.
The new administration will also
have to deal in a way with the water
problem since the authority to sell the
100000 bond issue rests with the
council. However the chief burden
of this task will naturally fall upon
the shoulders of the water commits
sioners who have been endorsed in
their efforts to secure a mountain wa
ter system for the city.
The people may also rightfully ex-
pect betterments along other lines.
During the recent mayorality cam
paign both candidates declared for an
improved street lighting service and
Mayor Matlock in his platform went
farther than his opponent and said:
81 believe the rates charged for
electric current and gas are higher in
Pendleton than are charged in other
cities in the northwest, similarly situ-
ated and should be reduced; and if
eiected 1 shall work faithfully to that
ebd."
What will be plished along
this line remains to be seen. The re-
suits will depend much on the efforts
put forth. 1t is the firm belief of this
paper that if consistent, businesslikc
work Is done by the new officials they
can help the people very materially
1t should be possible to secure better
rates, especially upon gas and It
should be possible to greatly improve
the physical appearance of the city by
requiring improvements in the cleo
trio company's equipment. The prob
lem Of what to do about the electric
0HU eNatPiiOht pOits OIl MAIN street
has been handed down TO the new ad-
ministration. 1t is problem that
must bo solved some day and the
sooner the better. The fact that AL
ia. Cottonwood and Webb streets will
be paved in the spring should be an
incentive towards early action. Great
harm may come from further delay.
IT may be easily seen that there is
work ahead for Mayor Matlock and
his colleagues. There is always much
work for city officials If they but care
u do it. 1t is the belief OF the East
Oregonian, as expressed heretofore.
that the city should not require its Of
ficials to work without pay. In other
words we should have commission
government and pay our mayor and
his fellow workers.