Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-02-17
COUNCIL ASKED TO GIVE
PAGE LEGAL ASSISTANCE
Several Suits of Much Importance, In
volving About $4,000, Are Faced
In the Circuit Court.
SPECIAL ELECTION TO AMEND
CHARTER WILL BE CALLED
Amendments Needed in Order to Weed
Out Sections Which Are Am
biguous, Is Report Filed.

That litigation involving about $780,
900 is pending against the city of
Salem and he needs legal assistance,
was the report made last night by City
Attorney Page to the city council. His
communication was referred to the
committee on accounts and current ex-
penses. Page stated that the Albert
suit to upset the 18th street improve
ment assessment, the Fry, Carson and
Lord suit against the High street as
sessment and the Holberg suit are of
great Importance
In reporting adversely on petition
to improve a portion of Liberty street,
the street committee stated it was op-
posed to the improvement of any street
until changes were made in the charter
provision relating to assessments. Ger
tain sections are ambiguous and should
be changed.
1t was stated that the matter had
been left to City Attorney Page and he
will take the necessary steps to have
a special election called to straighten
it out.
1t is asserted that if the charter was
all right at the present time there
would be no loophole for such suits as
are faced.
Refund Claims Allowed.
Sewer refund claims from 900 to
1855, except those disputed by rival
claimants, were allowed. In addition,
some of the claims which had been
held up at other meetings were allowed.
The committee on accounts and cur
rent expenses recommended that pay
ment be withheld on the claim over
which j. w. Bellamy and Fred Berger
are contesting,
1t was devoted to appoint for a
month a dogcatcher, with police pow
ers, at $75 per month, with view Of
selling some licenses and reducing
the canine population of the Capital
City. Constable, Cummings, Hatch
Presnal, Southwick, Spaulding and Won
Sschen voted for the plan and Brown,
Minton, Macy, McClelland and Nc
Cracken against. Minton claimed that
the charter made it the duty of the
chief of police to act as poundmaster
the title to be bestowed on the dog
catcher. Macy objected because of
the payment of $75, claiming that the
charter fixed the salary at $50.
May Get Sidewalk.
That the property owners on Gath
street will probably get sidewalk
this spring was the gist of the report
of the street committee, 1t was rec
commended that they call on the STATE
board of control. The board claims il
will have no money until the next leg
islature appropriates but Hatch inter
viewed two members and they suggest
ed that way might be found to takt
care Of the expenditure,
The question of refunding to Mrs
Swanson (nee Richardson) So paid fo
filling a Broadway ditch, was referred
to the street committee.
At the suggestion of Minton a 200
foot extension to the district No. l,
contract was referred to the sewe
committee.
The fire and water committee report
ed adversely on the petition of o. 1
Purdy to have permission to put
roof on tent shack at 81 North Com
mercial. The building was declared
menace to adjacent property.
The street commissioner was author
lied to notify certain property owner
on Commercial street to make long-dC
layed sidewalk Improvements.
Plans and specifications for sewe
extension in blocks 2l,24 and 80, froI
Spruce streets, were ordered drawn.
To Take Care Of Garbage.
The committee on health and polio
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