Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1913-07-29
A SPIRITED MEETING.
The Question CT Decorating the New City
Hall Building, the Bone Of
Contention

Last Tuesday evening special meet
ing was called by Mayor Ringle upoI
The request OF a majority of its mem
bers. The object set forth in the re
quest was, that it was necessary tc
have Immediate action to determine
whether or not the city hall should
| be decorated.
The Mayor at the opening of the
meeting addressed the members touch
| ing upon the universal manner in
which the meeting had been called
1t seems that the building committee
of the city hall was about to enter in
to a contract to have the various rooms
decorated at cost, as the Mayor stat
ed, OF nearly $1,000, before the build
ing is completed and accepted, with
out plans and specifications and with
out submitting the work to open COM
petition. Mayor Ringle further said:
Aside from the irregularity of the
action, there is the question of the
necessity of any expenditure for the
purpose at this time. In my opinion
it is not only prudent but good busi-
ness policy in accordance to the gene
raj public experience, to delay the dec
orations of new building at least
one year. The new city hall, when
completed according to plans and spec
itications, will supply in every respect,
the purpose for which it is intended
and for transacting the business of
the city. And should it be deemed
necessary to incur additional eXpendi-
lures for the purpuse named, at this
time, which | do not concede, am
certain that respectable work can be
done by some of our own people for
not over one third of the amount pro-
posed to be expended.
The necessary expenditures for the
completion and equipment of tie city
hall, already reaches far beyond what
the people were assured the amount
would be, and | submit to you, that
it is unjust, to burden the taxpayers
of the city beyond reason to satisfy
whim, and for purpos which are far
from necessary.
Our people were assured that the
building would not exceed the cost of
the amount they authorized, $65, 900.
The amount is wholly exhausted by
existing contracts and necessary ex-
penditures. And you have in addition
thereto, levied nearly $4,000, to be
placed in the tax roll for this year,
for equipment. The expenditures au-
thorized for paving, street improve
ment, bridges and sewerage which
must also be placed in the tax budget
are far beyond those of any previous
year. And we are obliged to hold over
many really necessary public improve
ments, in the endeavor to keep the
tax rate within proper limits"
The Mayor was opposed to this ex
travagance and unnecessary proceed
ing and stated, emphartisolly, that he
would oppose it with all his power
and pointed to the law, which pro-
vides that any public work amounting
to more than $500. must be adyer-
tised and let to the lowest bidder.
After considerable discussion, in
which it was evident that the coun-
Gil was in favor of decorating the in
terror of the building, it was voted to
for bids and each bidder
submit plans and specifications.
1t does at least seem as If it was
to go outside OF the city
TO get this work done, when we have
SO many decorators who are able to do
the work. If, as the mayor says, it is
a wanton piece Of extravaganza under
present conditions, then it should not
be done until it is necessary and at
time when the burden will not be SO
heavy upon the taxpayers.