Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1914-10-09
LIVELY SCRAP
IN THE COUNCIL
Attempt Of Finance Com
mittee to Gust Water Clerk
Wheeler Makes Row
HOLD SPECIAL HEARING
Purchase Of Auto Truck for
Street Department is De-
feated by Tie Vote

The session of the city council
Wednesday night started in scrappy
and was punctuated with sharp ar
gument throughout, the meeting prov
ing the longest in months and the
most interesting.
A fuss between the city treasurer
and A. NJ. Wheeler, connected with
the water department, which culmi.
mated in an attempt on the part OF
some councilmen to oust Wheeler
from his job, precipitated a lively
battle. 1t was charged Wheeler was
impertinent to patrons and was in.
competent. He made errors in bills
it was alleged, which caused the
treasurer no end of trouble. Two
committees, the water and finance
submitted reports recommending the
books of the water department which
Wheeler keeps, be transferred to the
treasurer's office and an accountant
at salary of $50 month be EN-
plOyed to take charge. Wheeler draws
$100 month.
Will Hear Both Sides.
Councilman Bowes and Councilman
Vandevoort championed Wheeler's
cause. Mr.. Bowes said he knew
Wheeler was competent and polite
He picked flaws in the treasurer's
Office. Vandervoort declared person
al spite was being injected into the
case and displayed a "bull'' made by
the treasurer Mayor France said il
city employees were fired" because
they made mistakes, there would no
be man on the job tomorrow. Supt
Lindstrom Of the water department
defended Wheeler. Brecht and Fras
er went after his scalp. It was fl
nally decided to hold a special execu
tive meeting next Tuesday evening
when Treasurer Hill and Wheeler will
be heard.
Because W. S. McRay, who would
erect a smoke house at H and Hume
streets had filed no building speci
fications and the site for his factory
is within the fire limits and back
of the Kaufman building, the report
of the committee rejecting his appli
cation for building permit was ap
proved.
Reduce Insurance
Several fire insurance policies re
ferred to committee were reported on
1t was recommended that $4,000 in
insurance on the city hall be not re
newed. that the city hall fixtures be
insured for $4,000 and that the library
and it's contents be insured. 1t was
adopted.
Building inspector Kelsey reported
the valuation on building permits for
September as $1S,171 with $3.50 in
fees collected.
Chief of the Fire Department Tam
blyn reported II alarms for last moath
1850 feet of hose laid, 70 gallons OF
chemical used and 255 blocks cover
ed.
Water Department Overdrawn.
A report of the condition of city
finances showed the water depart.
ment overdrawn and at the request
of the mayor the report was referred
to the water committee. 1t was
brought out that building the new
reservoir probably was the cause of
the overdraft.
A resolution was adopted fixing No
vember 18th as the date for hearing
the proposition of vacating the plat
of Hopkins third addition.
The tax levy ordinance was pass
ed. 1t provides for raising $63,265
by direct taxation with the total bud.
get for all purposes as $9S,149.31.
Condemn Graded Property.
In lieu of a suit for damages
brought by Mr.. and Mrs. G. H. Greer
for alleged damage to two lots by
the grading of D, Hanna and Burleigh
avenues, an ordinance was passed
providing for a suit of condemnation
where the damages accruing would
assessed to the abutting property di
rectly benefited. Without the ordi
nance the damages, if any, would
come out of the general fund. A
vote resulted in a tie, five and five
and Mayor France voted for the ordi
nance. The Greers are suing fol
$4,000.