South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-05-26
ALL POPLARS AND
WILLOWS DOOMED
TO DESTRUCTION
Council Orders Them All Re-
moved Along Streets With
Sewers by June, 1917, Un-
der Heavy Penalty.

An ordinance requiring that all
Carolina poplars ana willow trees
along the streets in the city OF South
Bend where there are sewers shall be
destroyed by June 1, 1917, under
penalty OF $50 fine; an ordinance ap-
propriating $4,000 TO the cemetery
fund Of the board Of public works,
despite that the sexton is now en-
plOyed on "A salary, and the board in
making the change, asserted that the
cemetery would be self-suppOrting;
these and q resolution directing the
board Of public works TO provide pro-
lection for the public on Vistula av..
where sidewalks are being built, or
the street is torn up, were the chief
accom- plishmentS of the common
council at it's Monday night session.
An ordinance establishing sewer
districts and providing for making
and enforcing sewer connections, and
a resolution directing that all streets
within the fire limits and ali paved
streets throughout the city be flushed
every night during the summer
months. were sent TO the committee
in the hole"
Aside from this Councilman Buech-
ner has raised the question, and
President Lang has sustained him,
that the common council has no right
to suggest things TO the board of
public works, or any other depart
ment Of the city government; virtual
ly that the representative of the
people. elected as councilmen, though
vested by law with the power of i'm
parchment. making appropriations,
approving budgets and contracts and
meeting in the hole" are 10 serve
as mere 'mummies" with regard to
noticing a departments mistakes.
City Makes Big Profit.
Sexton Urey Of the city cemetery,
in addressing the council two weeks
ago." said Councilman Hagerty, told
us that the city is now buying grave
vaults in carload lots at IS; that dig
ging the grave, placing the vault and
filling the grave, perfeCting a burial,
is worth about So more, making a
total of s13. Then the city sells these
vaults, and the work for SIS, a profit
Of more than 100 percent. 1 think
that is too much. The amount should
be reduced"
I'VE have no right to dictate to the
board of public works in such mat
ters," said Councilman Buechner.
And, anyway, that profit went TO the
sexton under the former administra-
ton"
II am not presuming to dictate TO
the board Of works" said Councilman
Hagerty. i merely suggest or
would recommend it,"
Il agree with Councilman Hagerty."
said Councilman Seifert, that S2S is
too much for a city to charge: that
SIS is too large a profit on an invest
ment Of S13. 1t seems TO me that
$40, which would be 81 profit, would
be enough"
II agree with Councilman Buech-
ner," said Pres. Lang. I'VE have no
right to dictate to the board of
works, and besides the sexton under
the previous administration charged
SIS and put the profit in his own
pocket. under the fee system that
employed him"
''It is true that the former sexton
took his pay in fees; collected il from
cemetery lot owners, and maybe he
was not limited in his charges as he
should have been, but I would like
TO know If II Is any worse for the in
dividual to overpay himself than it is
for the city. II II is graft in one case
IT is in the other" said Hagerty
City "Preferred'' CRATER.
II don't think it is as bad for the
city" was the presidents comment.
Everything is measured by what
the former administration did: to
suggest an Improvement by anyone
connected with that administration.
is labeled by the citizens in the