Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1914-05-19
THIEVES TAKEN IN MAY FIRE DOWNEY
Alderman Westover Wants Off,
GERS Authority Revoked.
CONDUCT is NOT BECOMING.
Council Meets in Regular Semi Month
ly Session and Transacts
Routine Business.

i The white dove, emblematical Of
peace, harmony, good will and a few
other things, lowered over the alder.
manic body at its session last night
i Councilman Westover, however, came
near starting something when he
charged that Special Officer Downey
had exceeded his authority in causing
arrests for speeding, his action being
| spltework rather than an inclination
to uphold the law, but oil was poured
upon the troubled water through the
proposal of new ordinance relative
to the employment of a speed officer.
Mr.. Westover said complaints of con-
duct unbecoming an officer had come
to him about Mr.. Downey, and he re-
fused as councilman to tolerate such
conduct, if the reports were true. He
moved, discussing the question at some
length, that the police powers given
the officer be rescinded. Alderman
Sibley agreed that if the allegations
could be substantiated, the officer
should be relieved, but not without a
hearing. The speaker had talked
with some fellows on the street who
stated that in one particular case an
automobile was being driven like hell,
whatever that meant. He took it to
mean going some. Mr.. Sibley pro-
posed that an investigation be made
before action was taken, and this
seemed to appeal to his co-workers.
Councilman Young, although not
wholly approving of Mr.. Downey's
modus operandi or his reported con-
duct, gloried over having an officer
with sufficient nerve to arrest speed
maniacs. He said it was not safe for
women and children to be upon the
streets, and children to be upon the
Van Orsdel added his amen by re-
marking that on. Washington street
yesterday he had observed an automo-
bile "going twenty-five miles an hour
if mile" Alderman Ghorke con-
sidered the "pulling business
joke. Officer Downey had charged
him with driving eighteen miles an
hour, when in reality he was simply
crawling along with the soft pedal
on.
Alderman Hayter. believing that an
officer should be remunerated for SER
vices rendered, proposed that the or
dinance committee cause To he draft
ed a law covering the hiring of a
speed policeman, such officer to re-
ceive a certain percentage of all fines
collected. and the council so directed.
Other Proceedings,
Oliver P. Chase was elected street
cleaner and marshal, John Shaw was
elected night watchman. and Edw.
Hines city engineer. For this latter
position S. B. Taylor was also an
applicant, but received only two of
the seven votes. There being no ap-
plicant for street commissioner the
present incumbent holds office until
his successor is elected
Alderman Barker reported that the
street committee had conferred with
the county court regarding the care
of bridges ON county roads within the
city. and that the matter would be
taken up for consideration at the June
session of the court.
Alderman Chas. Westover was ap-
pointed a member of the park com
mittee.
The fire chief was authorized to
make the necessary repairs to the fire
apparatus. following which action AL