Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1915-05-07

Frank K. Hubbard, widely known
and highly esteemed, the farmer
mayor of Falls City," Monday night
stepped out of office after a continual
service of six years, and the reigns OF
government were assumed by H. j.
Griffin, mayor-elect. 1t was the annu-
al meeting of the council of Falls City,
and all newly elected officers were
sworn in, besides Mr.. Griffin as mayor
cilman-at-large, I. G. Singleton, C. j.
Bradley and C. L. Hopkins as coun-
Gilman, Pat Murphy as city marshal,
and C. e. McPheren as auditor and
police judge. G. o. Clement, the re-
firing auditor and police judge, ad-
ministered the oath. Mr.. Hopkins is
the only new member who was re-
elected to the council he having serv-
ed during the past two years.
In assuming office Mr.. Griffin deliv-
cred brief but to-the-point message
to the council. He stated that it was
up to the new council to look after
the financial condition of the city and
to straighten out the same so that the
city could know just where it stood.
He advocated a change in the book
keeping system that will provide a
check on all funds received as well as
all funds disbursed. He advised look
ing after the small leaks in the city's
finances as well as the larger ones.
He expressed himself as being in ia
vor of proceeding without delay to
collect all delinquent street improve
ment assessments, and thus re-im-
burse the city for the many hundreds
of dollars already paid out of the citys
money for street improvements, but
which should properly be paid by the
property owner. He stated that the
city was not in financial condition to
carry on much street improvement
work this year, and from his remarks
it was evident that the council will not
make any further improvements until
a complete check is made of the city's
finances. He stated that as mayor,
when he found any councilman, either
upon a committee or off, neglecting his
duty, he intenled to speak about it.
His remarks were heartily applauded,
and the impression prevails in Falls
City that Mr.. Griffin will make good;
that he has the backbone to fight and
fight hard for the city's interests. Mr..
Griffin has had four years experience
as member of the city council, hav-
ing served from 1908 to 1912. Re-
marks were also made by all the new
ly elected councilmen, each pledgng
himself to work harmoniously with
his brother councilmen for the city's
interests, and pledging the mayor their
united and conscientious support in
the program outlined by him for his
administration.
Mr.. Hubbard, the retiring mayor,
was then called upon for remarks. He
stated that he was opposed to running
for the office of mayor in the first
instance, but that his friends urged
,Hf aid that he told them if elected
there were two things he would stand
for: Water works and street improve
ment. They assured him that was
what they wanted, and he was elected.
He stated that he had secured both
satisfied. The respect in which he is
held by the citizens of Falls City was
manifested in the hearty and sincere
applause that followed his remarks. |
Mr.. Hubbard enjoys the distinction of
having been reelected as mayor twice, |
and once against opposition. without
his name appearing on the printed
ballot his friends being in such num-
bers as to write his name in and elect
him. He pledged his support to the
new mayor. AS justice of the peace
for district number four, he will con-
tinue in the public service.
Mr.. Griffin then made his committee
Finance: Hopkins, SIN
gleton, Bradley; street committee,
Brown, Titus. and Wonderley; health
and police, Bradley, Gottfried. and
Titus; fire and water, Wonderley, Sin
gleton, and Hopkins; building com
mittee, Titus, j. r. Meyer (not men,
ber of the council) and Singleton.
Titus, Hopkins, and Wonderley were
appointed by the mayor as a special
committee to investigate the electric
light franchise and report back to the
next meeting of the council.
The street committee was authoriz-
ed to repair the Dayton street bridge
to such an extent that Mr.. Bancroft
could get his jack screws out from
under the bridge without risking too
much. Some discussion was had re-
garding building a new bridge, but the
matter was laid over for future consid-
Grafton. The bridge is now closed. 1t
was reported that Judge Teal had sug-
rested that possibly the county might
pay one half the cost of the new
bridge, but those in touch with the
situation are doubtful about this being
M. L. Thompson was reelected city
reasurer, and DIR. Hellworth was
slected city health officer. The con-
tract of Walter L. Tooze, Jr., as city
attorney, was approved by the new
council.
Want Financial Assistance.
There was an effort made on Tues