St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current, 1915-01-29
Mr.. MunsOn Replies

Editor Review: Mr.. G. j. An
derson takes occasion once more
to knock the plant now being
constructed by the Western
Cooperage Company. near the
dry docks. IL seems that Mr..
Anderson is never happy unless
he has his hammer out and is
knocking, knocking. He prates
continually of the brotherhood of
man, and yet when the city
council is presented with an OPP
portunity whereby a plant of
large magnitude may be secured
to the city by the expenditure
of q sum of money sufficient for
the construction of roadway
from one of its leading thorough
fares and giving access to the
river front, this same Mr.. An
derson commences to hammer.
He is the only man in the entire
city that | have so far heard
who objects TO the expenditure
of the money for the purpose
of giving this plant an outlet.
as well as the dry docks and
other industrial plants that may
locate in that vicinity later on.
/ had consulted as many tax
payers as | could about the road
way. and all favored its con-
struction by the city. | also
consulted the wishes of many
taxpayers. upon the park ques-
tion, and also upon the PROPOSE
tion To sell the city dock. OF
the latter only III out of 1856 in
terviewed did not favor its sale.
Mr.. Anderson asks three ques-
tions that seems TO be worrying
him a great deal: No. l-"Will
you kindly inform the public
where you got authority TO spend
50. 900 for the road TO the pro-
posed cooperage" The city
council has full and undeniable
power TO construct n roadway
within the city limits where
such is deemed eXpedient and
necessary. This power is de-
rived from the city charter.
No. 2-"Are we not paying
interest on this moneyW Had
Mr.. Anderson been a citizen of
the United States longer. he
would know that in this country
not even a municipality can bor-
row money without paving in
terest thereon. The days of
philanthropy are past.
No. 3 3-"Does the city council
possess security or assurance that
this proposed cooperage will
ever materializeW To the or
dinary mortal who has eyes TO
see, all the assurance necessary |
is to make a trip TO the site of |
the new plant and open his eyes.
He can there plainly see where |
thousands and thousands of dol
lars have already been spent |
upon the new plant. If he talks |
with the contractor who has the |
contract for construction of the |
mill. he will learn that construc-
lion is going on as rapidly as
possible; that as the earth eX-
cavated from the river bed be-
comes settled the work pro-
crosses. If more evidence than
this is needed, go to the office of
he Port of Portland Commission
and read the lease of the West
ern CooDerage company, where
Dy the lease of the company is
contingent upon its completion
If the plant within one year
rom date of lease, and a guar
lntee that not less than one hum
ired and fifty hands will be en-
,loyed at any one time during 4
he lease period. Even a Social
st ought TO comprehend that
his is pretty good assurance.
Mr.. Anderson further states: ]
AS | read the city charter. the
aXyapers are TO be consulted ,
efore city funds are spent. "
he poor fellow. His ignorance '
truly pathetic. AS matter
f fact city funds are spent i
very week without consulting a