Daily Kennebec journal., 1914-02-17

CONTINUED from Page One)

OzLv OONIICII
CONTINUED from Page One)
that we review the more salient fea'
lures in the administration of the
citys affairs for the year soon to close
In the beginning we pledged ourselves
to a business administration. and al
this time l believe the facts VIII
Justify the statement that this pledge
has been fulfilled.
Clean UP Day.
81 cannot refrain in passing from a
mention of Cleanup Day. The move
ment. begun early last spring, quickly
grew to large proportions. Twenty
five hundred school children wore ap-
propriate badges, and schools, church
es, the press and women's clubs rem
dered enthusiastic service. The re-
suit was a cleaner city, better sanitary
conditions, an awakening of civic
pride and the inspiration that follows
splendid community action.
Overhead Railroad Bridge.
Among the early undertakings OF
Importance was the protest mace
against the plans for a low overhead
railroad bridge crossing Water street
Were this new bridge built in accord
ance with the original plans, Water
street would be cut in two, a perma-
nent bar be erected to street car
traffic and the commercial and indus
trial growth of the city north. BY
strong representation before the Rail
he ri
every point at issue, and the new
bridge will be built thirteen Q3) feet
six (6) inches above the surface OF
Water street, a clearance sufficient to
allow the largest street car to pass
under the bridge This means more
to the city and its future than would
appear from a casual consideration of
the matter.
Opening Court Street.
Another important matter taken
I'D during the early summer with the
NJ C. r. r. was that of the right OF
the public to cross the tracks at the
foot of Court street, the intention OF
the railroad at that time being to
build a fence across Court street west
of the tracks, thus forever denying
to the public not only direct ana
long used way to Water street but
shutting up the main avenue from
the western part of the city to the
new railroad station. Again the city
was successful The Maine Central
Railroad generously made develop
ment at this point at its own cost
which solved the problem and in
every respect provides a safe crossing
and an easy entrance into Court street.
1t may be we'll to remember in this
connection that the city had lost its
legal rights in this part of Court
street.
Edwards Park.
This handsome park was promoted
by agreement between the city and
the Edwards Manufacturing Company
and was opened to the public in the
early summer. The agreement stipu-
lates that the city may continue to
keep this land for public park pur-
poses until such time as the Edwards
Company shall need the land for the
extension of it's plant A safe and at
tractive fence was erected on the river
wall and the park laid out with grave
walks. Settees and swings were pu'
i in, light installed and a sanitary bub-
bling drinking fountain set. The cos
to the city was about s625, and Is am.
/ ply justified by the benefits already
/ derived by the public. Hereafter tbs
cost will be limited to up-keep ant
should not exceed 500 a year. The
park answers a long-felt want in the
Of ha oifu
its patronage has been large. In its
promotion Augusta has gained one
more public resting place, a play
ground for children and breathing
spot for overworked men and women.
SeaIer of Weights and Measures.
For many years Augusta had no
sealer of weights and measures. Early
in the year Orin B. Frost was appoint
ed to this position and Immediately
qualified. The city's limited equip
ment was completed and the sealer
began his duties. Our merchants well
coined him and the people were glad
to have the work done. The following
from the report of the sealer indicates
the sort of work already begun and
which will be continued: Total milk
bottles tested and sealed, 10,065; num-
Der condemned, 1870; scales tested, 240;
condemned, %; weights tested, 451;
adjusted, 20; dry measures tested, 64;
condemned, ID; liquid measures tested,
IA; condemned, 2; automatic oil pumps
tested, 2S; adjusted, 10; slot machines
tested. 6; condemned, 6. All this Is in
line with the square deal. The pub
lie has right to expect 36 inches to
the yard, 32 quarts to the bushel, 16
ounces to the pound, quarts to the
gallon, and 1000 pounds to the ton
The sealer has no salary but is paid
by fees regulated by statute.
Purchase of Supplies on Requisition
"At the April meeting of the city
council an ordinance was passed pro-
viding for the purchase of city sup
plies on requisition approved in writ
ing by the mayor. The new system
has worked well and Is in line with
good business method and the lone
established policy of all large bust
ness houses and corporations. Such
a method of doing business cannot fai
to effect large saving in the pur-
chase of supplies for a city as big
as Augusta That n has ynaap pt aeon.