The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-04-19
WEIGHTY MATTERS FOR
CITY COMMISSIONERS
MANY BIG PROBLEMS IN PROS
PECT FOR MEN AT HEAD
or GROWING CITY.
DRYS SAY TIT LAST VOTE
EGAN AVENUE PROPERTY OWN
ERS ANTICIPATE NO FUR
THEIR OBJECTION TO
PAVING.

Mayor George II. X SalU TO-
day that he believed that the decisive
majority in favor of retaining the
commission form of city government,
yesterday, was an endorsement, both
Of the plan and of the work of the
city commission.
It was remarked on an sides today
that the majority rolled up in favor
OF the city engaging In it's first street
paving venture was IN undeniable in
dication of a spirit of general pro
gr%essiveness, commensurate with the
growth of the city. The opinion is
also given that the paving vote will
have the effect of staying any further
opposition to the Improvement.
The jubilation of the a%ntisaloOn
workers over the big vote piled up in
their favor was increased when veri-
fication came today that the 'drys'
had made Roadway in practically ev-
cry section of the state where the
liquor question was voted on. There
were those who voiced the conviction
that saloon licenses, as a strictly city
issue, would never be voted on again
in Madison. They based their belief,
they said. on the probability Of state
wide prohibition carrying at the fan
election.
Weighty Problems.
It is not denied by citizens who
have given the matter thought that
many big things, some of which must
have an important bearing on the
city's future, as well as its present,
Will probably have to be settled by
the present administration. 1t is
pointed out that if the city maintains
its steady growth, not only must eX-
tensions be made to public utilities.
during the next few years. but that
additional civic facilities must be IN
sidered.
A new municipal building is one of
the principal items that may receive
attention. 1t is said that while the
retaining of the present city hall for
years might possibly be a matter of
economy. il is not one approved by
most other cities Of Madison's size
and Importance.
Mayor Waskey said today that the
question of a new city hall had not,
probably. assumed q vital stage, the
time is not far distant when atten-
ton should be given the matter. II
is pointed out that the city hall, even
now, is inadequate to the needs of
the municipality, and that the cost Of
repairs to the building, including the
replacing OF worn out joists, is cost
ing money.
Fircproof City Hall.
Mayor Waskey said that he did not
think a new city hall the an impor-
tan. thing at this particular ju%ncture.
He thought there must come in time,
however. a f~ireproof municipal head
quarters building that would not only
contain a council chamber and posi-
bly, one or two municipal offices, but
quarters for the fire fighting appara-
tus. the police station and jail. The
mayor said that II the city continued
to reduce its bonds and interest, it
would not. probably, be long before
such a structure could be erected
without severely burdening the tax
payers.
Commissioner T.. A. Johnson said
he believed a new city hall is one of
the city's needs. and that he would
like TO see M built. He said, how
ever. that other things are now de
handing attention, and that he could
not hazard an opinion on how the
taxpayers would look upon the mat
ter.
COmmissioner-elect j. A. Johnson
told that he could not very we'll give
his views on the matter, until he had
- 49, So 800 -, 4IA - t4frrfnn
and had looked into the question,
He told that he is Of the opinion that
a new city hall would be a good thing
for the city, but that he believed that
one of the first things to be gone into
is the present condition of the sewage
disposal plant.
Commissioner-elect Johnson will
assume his seat on the city commits
sion at the regular monthly meeting
of that body, one week from next
Monday, the first Monday in May.
J.. A. Johnson. Public Safety.
While the coming to the commits
sion Of a new member may cause
some Encouragement in some Of the
minor duties Of the respective depart
ment heads, IT is not believed that
any changes, especially important re
arrangements of the three offices,
will be made in the near future. The
office to which Mr.. Johnson succeeds
has heretofore had the direction of
the public safety department, includ-
ing police and fire department, city
finances and public buildings. Com
missioner T. A. Johnson has been in
charge Of sewers, streets and public
works. Included in the mayors de-
partment are the city's waterworks,
light plant and public affairs.
At a special meeting of the com
mission next Friday night, the city
election returns will be ~canvassed,
and the results officially recorded.
The consent petition for the paving
Of Egan avenue from Seventh street
TO Eleventh street will also be dis
posed of at mex Friday nights meet
ing, ii is expected.
Five hundred per cent or more on
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