The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-07-13
Resolution Calls for a Strict
Enforcement of Ordinance,
With Arrests and Trials in
City Court.
MEMBERS COMPLAIN
Condition of Rumely Yards
and Lots in Fairview Form
Topics for Much Discus
sion Last Night.

Former president, Theodore Roose-
Society Of Undesirable Citizens. NOM
mating to 1t large class of charter
members.
At council meeting last evening
Mayor Robbins organized the local
branch Of this society. Under the by
laws Of this organization any house
holder is qualified for membership who
permits weeds to flourish on his real
estate and who otherwise neglects to
keep his property in a manner reflect
ing upon the neighborhood in which it
is located.
Mayor Robbins said that one of his
neighbors was his ideal of a good
citizen. He said this man kept his
lawn, a vacant lot adjoining. owned
by him, and the alley In the rear of
both properties, clear of weeds and
that they always presented neat and
cheerful appearance. 'If man fails
to maintain his properties SO that they
will reflect credit upon the neighbor-
hood and the community at large he
concluded.
To Enforce Ordinance.
The weed question was a topic
which occupied much OF councils time
last evening. 1t was finally disposed
of by the adoption of resolution that
the anti-weed ordinance be enforced
TO the limit by the police department.
Mayor Robbins at first expressed re-
kuctance to prosecute property owners
living In this city for failure to clear
weeds off their real estate because out
OF town owners Of local real estate
could not likewise be hailed into court
for punishment.
"If the city has to cut the weeds
on vacant lots owned by people who
are not residents of Richmond 1t
would have TO-. in many instances,
bring suit to recover the costs OF such
action" Mayor Robbins said. THAT
would mean the expenditure OF sew
eral dollars for each suit filed to col
lect Is cents or a dollar"
"The city could not lose such suit,
consequently any property owner
would have to assume the entire cost
of the litigation" Councilman Howells
remarked. Therefore, advise that
such legal action be undertaken when
| ever necessary
\ II the statements made by various
councilmen are authentic, great part
| Of the area of the city of Richmond
is now overgrown with weeds, ranging
in heighth from six inches to six feet.
and councilmen are on the verge of
nervous prostration because Of the
protests their constituents have been
registering against said weeds. But
from now on woe betide the owners
of vacant lot who permit the weeds
Ito flourish. Weeds between the curb
land sidewalk must also be exterml-
hated by property owners.
All Wards Suffer.
According to Councilman Carter
what was once the city's most thriv-
ing industry, the Rumely manufactur-
ing plant, is now merely a weed patch.
Even the aristocratic sixth ward is
suffering from a plague of weeds,
some streets being almost impossible
at points, while Fairview, according
to Councilmen Burdsall and Wilkins,
is almost hidden beneath the wind
tossed tips Of the undesirable vege-
tation.
'I am sick Of being harassed by
people kicking about weeds, moaned
Councilman ONeal of the sixth ward.
mot only are they getting me in bad
but the administration as WE'LL
perhaps If we should fine one or
two prominent residents Of your ward
the administration might get in good
again." replied the mayor.
Four men are now employed by the
city cutting weeds. Council thinks a
gang of twenty-five should be assigned
to this work.
Controller McMahan last night call
cd councils attention to condition
which has been permitted to exist, but
which may result any time in d1sas-
trous accident with a resulting suit
for damages against the city. This
Is a section of the cemented section of
the Hawkins road. The paving ad-
Joining a deep gravel pit has been
cracked by the settling Of its founda-
ton, and no steps to make repairs
have been taken. nor has fence been
erected along the side of the road to
preyent vehicles from going over into
the gravel pit. City Attorney Bond
advised that this question be given
nrompt consideration and it was re-
ferred to the board Of public works.
Wants Hole Patched.
Councilman White called attention
70 a hole at the corner OF Sixth and
Main streets which has not been paved
since a sewer trench was filled in
few weeks ago. He urged that the
CITY nut a paving patch on at once
and send in the bill to the responsible
contractor.
Councilman Waidele said that near
his home was an uncovered basement
with a concrete floor. which had been
standing in that condition six years.
and that the sewer catch basin was
constantly clogging. causing water to
stand in the basement. "You can
catch mosquitoes there now as large
as buzzards," he said. He asked if
ne had to put up with such nuisance
and was informed that he did not
have to do so. The matter was re-
ferred to the building inspector.