Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1914-11-16

adopted it in June provides that:
This $175,0O0 shall be deposited
with the city treasurer as a specific
fund and to be used for this and no
other purpose. "a .gs. t.s
That 1t shall be paid out by the
treasurer only upon special itemized
vouchers to be issued under the seal
of the commission; they must show
each item that goes to make up the
claim and what is paid for each
item; not to be paid until this item
lied voucher is countersigned so that
| it may stand as receipt.
The commission cannot draw nor
handle a cent of this money, for this
itemized voucher must be delivered
up to the city treasurer counter
signed as a receipt by the payee be-
fore the money can be paid over.
One would think from some of the
silly stories that are told, that
Messrs. Greer, Dodge and Minkler
could go into the city treasury when
ever they pleased, fill their pockets
and go joy-riding over the country to
their hearts content.
All contracts are required to be
made in quadruple, one filed with
the city council, one with the city
treasurer, one with the contractor
and one with the commission, and
no work can be done until all these
duplicates are so disposed of. All
contractors are required to furnish
good and sufficient bonds for the
faithful performance of their work,
these bonds to be surety bonds, run
ming to the city of Ashland. 1t also
provides for surety bond to be CIV
en- to the city by this commission for
the faithful discharge of thier duties.
Said bond to be fixed and approved
by the city council.
Until three years ago l have been
in the active practice of the law for
over thirty-five years, and I do not
hesitate to say that it is seldom that
the handling of public moneys Is so
we'll safeguarded as this. If this
money is not absolutely safeguarded
it would be almost impossible to ac-
complish that purpose. l am not an
attorney for the city nor for the COM
mission nor in any way connected
with this except as a citizen. My
work is being done wholly because
believe no greater misfortune could
happen to this city than the defeat
of this great measure. We are hon
ored all over the coast for putting
our shoulders to this magnificent en-
terprise, and will surely be con-
temned and held in contempt if we
now fall down on it.
Some personal insinuations l un-
derstand are being INDUCED in by
the DIRECTORS against members of the
commission. In the face of the vote
given them last June, and of the per-
sonal integrity and high standing of
these men, such insinuations show
the motives and malice of those who
make them. Such insinuations de-
serve only contempt.
Because Mr.. Greer differed from
some of the rest of us during the late
state election campaign has nothing
to do with this matter. | did not
and do not agree with his political
views, but this makes no difference
in our personal relations. l believe
we could not have found a more hon
orable or competent trio of men for
this great work than Messrs. Greer
Dodge and Minkler. None of the
men who are active in opposition
would have given the time and SER
vice that have been given by this
commission. l have long thought
that the man who is always ready tC
suspect and malign his neighbor viii
bear watching.
Do not stay away from the polls
next Tuesday, but let your work and