Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1912-07-19
CITY HALL QUESTION
is AGAIN The ISSUE

That city hall question, like Ban
quo's ghost, refuses 10 down, and
even the awarding Of the contract
I has not been sufficient to make the
issues that were supposed 10 be dead
lie quiet in their last resting places.
Mr. Clarke, the contractor, had
commenced work on the excavation
for the foundation, when a differ
ence OF opinion regarding the posi-
tion the structure was TO occupy on
the site developed and the mayor
called a special session of the council
10 consider the matter before the
contractor had made too much head
way. At the called session adjourn
ment was taken to Friday night, at
which time only Councllmen Wolf
.ersberger, Caldwell and Stricken
we're present. At this meeting the
mayor explained several features re-
gardlng the location that did not ap-
pear proper TO him, setting forth his
objections In a written communica-
tion. Another feature that did not
suit the mayor was the fact that
surety bond had been first demanded,
but that this provision had been
changed in the signed contract to
personal bond, and that Councilman
| H. J. Clarke father Of the contract
or was one OF the signers OF the
bond This the mayor pointed out
was a violation of the city charter
The mayors communication to the
council was as follows:
81 have called this special meet
ing to present to you some views on
the building OF the city hall.
found upon going upon the site the
building is to occupy that it will be,
according to present plans, situated
fifteen feet from the street lines on
the south and east My understand
ing, and l think that Of some, II not
most of the members of the council
when We decided upon a cheaper
building, was that the building
should be upon grade and on the
property lines, so that in case the
city desired in the future to build a
better one, The building could be sold
for a good price because convertible
into a business building. I antici-
pate this is what will happen in the
future A building not on street
grade and not on the property lines
Is not salable Any one knows that
As now located on the ground the
building will be within a few feet of
the Salvation Army building. The
suggestion is made that the city buy
this and pay for it out Of the general
fund I do not think this should be
done But We are now going ahead
with a building so close to other
property that another could come in
and buy It and exact large price or
force the city to condemn there
fore recommend that the site and
plan Of the building be changed to
bring II on the grade of the side
walk and flush with the line OF the
lot on the east and south
II desire to say further that the
bond filed by the contractor has as
one surety Mr. Clark, a member Of
the council This is in violation Of
the charter Mr. Clark in becoming
la surety on the bond becomes a
surety for the performance Of the
contrac- and in my opinion a party
70 the contract The contract as
drawn provided for a surety bond
and this ! believe is in accordance
with policy agreed upon and Do.
|termined by the council as to offcia
bonds some time ago. do not know
that any contingency will arise when
We will be called upon TO begin any
action on the bond but this matter
/ is one that is TOO delicate aud i'm
|portant 20 be overlooked and
ignored
The building committee Of the
council is composed Of Councilmen
Stricken Eyerton and Mclean but
the two last named members we're
out OF the city On their return they
were to take up and adjust the diff
terences brought to the attention Of
the council by the mayor.
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