The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1913-07-18

Council Room City OF Owosso.
July 18th. 1919.

which was on motion referred 70 the commit
tee on ways aud means;
Petition No. 456
To the Mayor and Common Council Of the
City OF Owosso,
Gentlemen:
We the undersigned residents OF W. Mason
street between Washington and Ball streets
hereby petition for the sprinkling OF said
ns Of @ hereby
agree to reimburse tho city of Owosso for the
expense OF said spripkling at the close OF the
season and IN default OF payment that tne
upon our property located in said sprinkiine
district.
o. L. Sprague and others.
COMMUNICATION
The following communication was presented
and on motion referred 70 the committee on
ways and means:
Owosso, July 10, 1918.
City Clerk OF Owosso, Mich.
wish to protest against being assessed cd f o.
Water street. have not signed q petition
and do not wish IL.
The following Communication was presented
and on motion OF Aid. Washburn was received
and fled
To the Mayor and Common Council OF the City
OF Owosso,
Gentlemen:
Sou twenty FIVE members of the Owosso
Improvement association met and discussed
the paving proposition last Tuesday. IL was
their unanimous opinion that the proposition
to bond would not carry and decided TO recon.
mend to your honorable body that you recall
the election If possible so as to savs the tax
pay ers the cost thereof. They further decided
TO recommend to you that you cause the paving
In the down town diatrict To be repaired al
once.
Respectfully submitted,
OwOSsO IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION,
w. A. Seegmtller, Secy.
PRESENTATION OF ACCOUNTS
Aid. Mcdonald presented the claims and ac-
counts as noted below and on motion same
were referred 70 the committee on claims and
accounts.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICERS
Aid. washburn presented the report OF the
Street Commissioner for the week ending July
18th and on motion same was ret eived and
filed:
The following report was presented:
To the Honorable Mayor and Common Council
Of the City OF Owosso,
Gentlemen:
At the last meeting of the Common Council
the matter Of Discount contracts required by
the Union Telephone Company In this city was
referrt d to me.
l haye made a partial investigation OF the
situation and beg TO report that the rates that
are charged by the Union Telephone Company
are In excess OF the amount granted by its
franchise and are unlawful.
am likewise OF the opinion that the City has
power 70 enforce the franchise provisions
against the Union TIE ephone Co and compel a
compliance with the terms thereof.
s. Q. Pulver,
City Attorney.
AID. Conant moved that the report be receiv-
ed and the subject be referred to the City At
torney with instructions to enforce The fran
nh Om rUkA aIz I'D DASo VN<s,
aid, Shuts, StinsoD, Wright, Springett, Pal
mer, Conant, Washburn, nays none.
The following report was presented and on
motion Of Aid. Washburn same was received
and fled:
To the Honorable Mayor and Common Council
Of the City Of Owosso.
Gentlemen:
petition OF certain religious societies asking
for the enforcement of an ordinance against
Sunday shows, particularly picture shows,
was referred to me. This matter has been be.
fore the Council Of this City 1t various times
In the past and Ct no time has the legislative
body OF the City seen at to enact an ordinance
upon this su jest.
Ny under standing of the reasons for the
Coonoii dec iuing TO enact an ordinance pro.
hibiting SUNDAY picture shows as obtained
from the DISC issions In the Council at these
times, was 10 the effect that IL would deprive q
large PAL t OF the population OF the city from
enjoying these instructive and Interesting
entertainments.
/ do not care to express any personal opinion
on the subject, and do not wish to be under
stood as attempting to In any manner suggest
what the morals OF the community should be,
or what 10 or what IL not good morals. How
ever. the attitude of previous councils has
teen as above suggested, and for that reason
there is net at the present time any ordinance
In this city prohibit ting exhibitions of the kind
complained sgainst. There is likewise no
enforceable statute In this state upon the sub
ject.
1t Is true that there is a statute known as
the Sunday Observance Law which prohibits
entertainments OF this kind being given.
However. the violation OF that statute is not
made q criminal offense and the maximum
penalty is q fine Of Ten Dollars which can only
be enforced In civil proceedings and that
statute for all practical purposes is worthless.
Therefore, beg to report to your honorable
body that at the present time there Is no
statute or ordinance rendering the exhibition
referred to unlawful. However, II this Council
desires to prohibit such exhibitions upon Sun
day 1t is within the police power granted 10 the
city and can be done by the enactment and
enforcement OF proper ordinance.
Yours respectfully.
s. @ Pulver,
City Attorney.