Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-08-04
COUNCILS SESSION
WAS VERY BUSY One
Spencer Appointed on Police, But the
Business Mems Petition Was Turned
Down-Sewer Claims Allowed.

man; the section in the motor vehicle
lay regarding turning about at intersec-
tions OF streets repealed, and the sani-
tary officer dispensed with the first
of September, the office being merged
with the city engineer s department. A
report of the state highway engineer,
Bowlby, regarding the condition of the
steel bridge was read and referred to
the bridge committee, which will meet
with the county courts Of Marion and
Polk counties regarding tae building of
a new bridge across the Willamette
river at this point
When petition containing the names
of SO business men of the city asking
for the appointment Of two more police.
men for the protection of the city was
read it was borne in upon the council
men that they were in earnest and not
to be lightly put aside Councilman
Won Eschen moved that the petition be
granted. 1t was seconded by Council
man Presnall, and Jones called for a
roll call. The result was six to six
and the motion was lost.
Councilman Southwick declared that
tne city could do away with the deputy
health officer and the sanitary inspect.
or, merging the two offices with the
city engineer department. He said the
city needed the right kind of young
man on the motorcycle, one who was
given the power to make any and all
kinds of arrests, and one who would
make the arrests when given the power.
Councilman Hatch wanted to know if
the motorcycle was to be kept where
it now is and said the speed cop has not
made any arrests in Salem, but that
he made about II in West Salem At
this juncture communication from
Chief Shedeck was read asking that the
motorcycle be returned to his depart.
ment or else a cycle bought for his use.
He said the one in use was especially
fitted and made for catching speed
fiends and that the health department
could get along with a cheaper machine.
Councilman Macy moved tnat the mo-
torcycle be returned from the health
to the police department, and the mo-
tion carried Policeman Spencer will
use the machine to catch speeders.
1t was not until the sanitary officer
had been dispensed with that the coun-
ell would proceed to elect the extra
police officer, as it was the desire of
the cOuncimen not to add any extra
expense to the city. An attempt to do
away with the deputy health officer
failed in carrying, the vote being
to 6.
There was a small audience of men
interested especially in the traffic or
dinance. This question came up when
petition signed by w. A. Denton and
245 others was presented and read. 1t
was placed on file as there was an Or
dinance repeating the obnoxious section
already in the hands of the recorder.
This ordinance was read later in the
evening and passed. 1t states in its
present form that all motor vehicles
must travel on the right land side of
the street and go straight ahead unless
there is an obstruction not more than
100 yards ahead. The amendment pass
ed without any dissenting vote.
The accounts and current expense
committee reported back that IS sewer
refund claims had been allowed. Bills
against the city had been found correct
and warrants ordered drawn for the re-
spective amounts.
The committee on streets reported ia
vorably on the petition for the
improvement of Bellevue street and
also for the improvement of a part Of
Liberty street.
Bids submitted to the fire and water
committee for % new fire hydrants
were opened last night. There were
tour bids in all but only two were CON
sidered as they were the only ones that
came up to requirements. The Corey
hydrant for $3.50 Of the Rensaeler
Valve company was chosen, as the city
can get immediate denvery of five hy-
drants The other bid was for $3190,
but the hydrants could not be secured
until later.
The committee on health and police
reported unfayorably on the petition to
establish hitehing posts ON Center street
near tne steel bridge for the use OF
farmers when they came to town. The
untavorable report was given on ac-
count of the lateness of the season and
on account of protest from the prop
erty owners in the vicinity. The mat
ter was referred back to the committee
In regard to the petition of Chamber
lain brothers to stretch canvas sign
across state street advertising theil
garage the light committee reported un.
tayorably and recommended that the
prayer be denied. The committee be-
/ lieved that the granting of the permis
sion would be bad precedent. The re-
port was adoptd.
The city engineer reported that Mil
street had been open to the public fol
80 days and recommended that the con
tractors, the Montague-O o Reilly com
pany, be paid 80 per cent or the full
/ estimate, which would leave $194S t
be paid five months from now. Tn,
report, after the council heard pro
test against the payment OF more money
until the curbs were fixed according
! to specifications, several property own
ers alleging that the eurbs were rotten
erumbly, and blistering, was adopted.
( The regular payroll of the street de
partment was read and adopted. ResO
lutions ordering the improvement o
Liberty and Bellevue streets and ap
proval of plans were read and adopted
4 On motion of Councilman Brown, j
T. Penn was made special policeman
/ without pay. He is employed by tn
park board as care taker of the Willsol
park. The request was granted.
Through Councilman Hatch the pee
pie about Marion square pleaded for tn
band to hold concert or two in tina
place. They thought they deserve