South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-01-05
MAYOR C. L. GOETZ
VIEWS HIS FOUR
YEARS IN OFFICE

! CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE)
into effect. a ten-cent levy was pro-
vided for by the council, without how
ever, increasing the city tax levy Some
careful planning and calculating had
TO be done TO render this possible. But
the feasibility and practicability OF this
procedure has been amply verified by
the experience of the past two years.
! Inc sum or sos, 900 has been accum-
ulated as fund for this highly de-
sirable undertaking, without in the
| slightest degree GRIPPING or impair
/ ing the general financial condition of
! the city. With the fund already ac-
cumulated and with the additional
sums 10 follow definite ARRANGEMENTS
may be begun within two years 10
safeguard the railway crossings within
/ the city and greatly to lessen the ac-
cIdentS so frequently happening under
| existing conditions. In this cOnnec-
| ton IL is in order to note the fact that
whatever expenses were incurred by
member Of the administration in Sc
curing needed legislation in the inter-
| est of the city came out of their own
pockets. These expenses have by no
means been insignificant, yet they
were willingly and generously borne
without a dollar being charged up 10
the city.
Opened Washington st.
During the first year of the life of
this administration efforts were put
forth TO vacate Ginz av. Application
/ TO the board of public works was made
by the Stephenson Manufacturing Co.
that this avenue be declared vacant, so
as to enable the Stephensons to en-
large their plant. The board of public
works indicated its Willingness TO
grant the request of the Stephensons.
on condition that they Obligate them
selves to construct a sustaining wall
along the entire length Of the race on
Glnz av. and to keep the same in
proper condition for all time to come.
To this proposition Burr 9. Stephen
son replied that he would see the city
in h" before his company would
consent to any such terms. Under
examination Of the maps and grounds
the board discovered that what every
body supposed to be an open way for
Washington av. was not so in fact.
Fully impressed with the value and
desiTability Of preserving for the pub
lie his important thoroughfare, the
board of public works decided TO pro-
ceed to remove all doubt as TO the real
ownership Of the land involved there
in, The matter was deemed OF such
Importance as to demand decisive ac-
ton. In conformity with the convic-
ton that the public interest must be
maintained at all hazards, as against
private and personal aggression, the
board proceeded formally to open
Washington av. The board coura-
geously adhered to its purpose 10 keep
his avenue open for public use, so
that whatever "the powers that be"
deem 1t expedient to ecect a Washing
ton av. bridge, their purposes shall
not be thwarted by insurmountable
obstacles of subordinating the public
interest TO private greed and AFRO
gance.
Under the former system, the city
engineer was paid an annual salary OF
81 900 and made the beneficiary OF
all fees paid into his office for ser
vices rendered in his department. He
was also permitted TO render engineer
ing services for corporations and pri-
vate individuals. In nv judgment
there were serious objections to this
system. 1t was no unusual thing for
private and municipal interests 10 /
come in conflict. Therefore, upon due
consideration OF all the points in
volved. the conclusion was reached and |
put into effect that the city engineer
should serve the city exclusively at !
an increased salary Of $4,000 and that !
all fees for any engineering service
rendered be covered into the city |
treasury.
this deviation from the former system |
is evidenced by the fact that City En-
gineer Moore during the four years or !
his official service turned into the city !
treasury S2O.311.52. Thus, while be-
ing paid $4,000 for his four-year
term, he actually earned Tor the CITY
the sum OF $4,000. so that it may |
fruthfully be said that the city actual |
" had the benefit of his engineering |
skill and his official service without !
costing the city proper anything In
dollars and cents.
In concluding this review Of the /
record made by the administration /
during the four years of the existence
and activity, l would be unmindful or |
plain obligation If proper acknowl- |
edgement were not made or the uni
form consideration which the admlh- |
istration has had at the hands or the !
common council. Friction between J
the legislative an6 the administrative |
were unknown through /
ont the term; the best OF feeling ana (
a spirit Of cooperative helpfulness
has ever been in evidence. Ihat muCh
good grew out Of these harmonious \
relations goes without SAYING.
That the department Of finance was
with consummate skill ana I
pajnstaking fidelity by the city con-
troller p A. Joyce. is not alone my I
personal and ohcial tes-
timOaial but the verdict OF ali VINO
have had occasion 10 familiarize them
selves with the verdict in which the !
q fairs OF this important Office nave
been administered.
To each and every r-"mber or the /
a administration who has co-operateu IN /
the faithful performance Of public
duty sincerest gratitude is assured
satisfaction should be found IN the
serene contemplation OF the fact that
he who has conscientiOusly done MS
dutv in an official capacity has render
ed the community a distinctive and /
service.
Very resnectfnlly,
CHARLES L. GOETZ.