The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-11-08
Condemnation
SUIT TO START
City Decides to Take Action in
Hanchette Land Matter

BY an auoptioi VI d reooiution Dy
the Hancock city council last evening,
condemnation proceedings will be in
stituted today, against a parcel of
land owned by C. ID. Hanchette of
Front street, for use, Front street
Improvement purposes. Slmultane-
ousuly with this proceeding. notice
will be served on Mr.. Hanchette to
yacate that portion OF West street
onto which steps leading to his home
extend
The adoption of the resolution led
ND to a discussion as to whether City
Attorney Lawton, Mr.. Hanchette's law
PARTNER, would conduct the city's side
Of the case. The mayor asked Law
ton If he would stand a part of the ex-
pense attached to securing other
counsel to handle the city's case and
the attorney replied mo" very blunt
y
1T would not look right for me to
handle the city's side in this case"
said the attorney, land | do not feel
that should be expected TO share the
expense inasmuch as this Is for spec
want my advice on the matter. | will
say that you had better accept Mr..
Hanchette's proposal to select twelve
men, of whom he will select six. and
settle the matter by arbitration. The
mayor thought this would not be sa-
tisfactory to the taxpayers and con-
demnation proceedings will he com
menced, with special counsel retained.
City to Be .Redistricted.
The city i'm all probability will have
five wards instead of four i'm the near
future, Conditions now are anything
but satisfactory and the mayor last
evening appointed Aldermen O'Neil.
Larson, Ojala and Thoney. one from
each ward. together with the mayor.
committee to rearrange the ward
lines. The committee will report at
the next meeting.
Larger ballot boxes and additional
voting booths were asked for by AL
derman Congdon and the general
manager was instructed to secure
metal ballot boxes. This instruction
lad suggested the using of garbage
cans for the work. an idea which the
council entertained somewhat lightly.
The new bond of Ralph Ciabattari
with new sureties was approved and
the report of the city officers accepted
.ft
to the street funds and suggested that
the city go slow on street work II pos
sible. Mr. Stockly said that the com
ing of winter would bring about a
reduction i'm the street force that
would aid materially In decreasing the
strain On this fund.
The election board allowed SIS for
the recent election, registration
boards $40 and gate keepers SO each.
BY resolution the fire department will
be decreased from Is to IL members
with the following salaries: Fire
men. $40 per month; assistant chiefs.
$3.50 per month"; chief. SIS per month.
The question of the personnel of the
company was left with the depart
ment and 1t will likely be selected In
a few days.
Concerning Gambling.
Alderman Francis reported that
complaint had been made to him that
gambling houses were running In
Hancock. Several other members of
the council reported the same. going
SO far as to say that the council was
accused of receiving graft from the
rroprietors of the alleged places.
Mayor Dodge said he was opposed to
gambling, but he had little respect for
tho person who would make "A yell"
and then refuse to back it in court as
was often the case In situations OF
this kind. However he would summon
the police i'm the morning and secure
what information he could on the
matter. Alderman Ojala reporting that
one of the police admitted to him that
gambling was being carried on.
Other Matters.
The General Manager presented n
somewhat lengthy report showing the
work beiny done on the streets. [ he