South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-03-14
PASS ORDINANCE
FOR BUYING RUM
VILLAGE 7 To |
Councilman Hagerty Only One
to Oppose Measure Greeted
With JeerS From
Gallery.


special session Of the committee Of
the whole. passed the ordinance pro-
viding for the purchase of Rum Vii
lage at a cost of $4,000 The Ordi-
nance was approved by a vote of Z
10 1, Councilman Jere T. Hagerty
opposing the purchase, and Coun-
cilmen Hagey and Siefert being alb
sent The gallery of the council
chamber was packed with women,
beardless youths and here and there
a middle-aged man, while the lower
floor behind the rail was occupied
by a number Of Mayor Keller's adj
herents and representative Of the
various civic clubs.
When Councilman Hagerty took
the floor and explained his reasons
for voting against the ordinance the
women and others in the audience
Missed and hooted at the man from
the third ward AS each other cOun-
Gilman voted in favor of the ordi-
nance he was applauded by the
crowd. Following the passage Of the
ordinance there was a general hand
shaking session among the Kellerites
Goebel to rap several times before
order could be restored sufficiently
TO permit the council to continue its
business.
Hagcrty Cites Opposition.
There is no civic club in the ward
which l represent" said Councilman
Hagerty, as he explained his posi-
ton on the Rum Village question.
Therefore during the past three
months l have interviewed every tax
payer and citizen in that district that
1 could possibly reach regarding this
question. The vast majority of the
people in my ward do not favor the
purchase of this property They de-
clare that the city administration
has been extravagant and believe
that the tax levy could be reduced.
There is no doubt but what the tax
levy could be decreased at least 3
per cent if the administration were
willing TO do so, but the financial af-
fairs of the municipality are in a
badly muddled mess.
Thousands Of dollars which be-
long to the track fund are now in
city wanted TO go ahead with its
track elevation tomorrow it would
have to draw this money from the
water department and bond that de-
partment heavily. The city hall was
paid for last year and the four per
cent levy should have been dropped,
but it was not. 1t is being used to
purchase Rum Village, and it APP
pears that the time will never come
when there will be a reduction in
the tax rate such as has been prom
ised for years. Therefore I am go
ing to vote against this ordinance"
Kissed BY Gallery Crowd.
Councilman Hagerty's speech was
greeted with jeers and Kisses by the
crowd in the gallery, parts of which
appeared to have become hysterical
when it was announced that the
ordinance had become effective
Councilmen Buechner. SmogOr and
Miller explained their favorable
votes. stating that they believed the
property TO be of great value to the
city and that the present council
would eventually be praised for its
action.
At the committee OF the whole
session Councilman Miller asked that
a clause be inserted in the ordinance
providing that the Rum Village
property be used for park purposes.
The question as TO the legality of the
clause was raised. but was evaded
and the question was finally passed
over. After the meeting City Atty
Seebirt explained that it would not
be good policy to put such a clause
in the ordinance as such "a circum-
stance might arise whereby the city
would want to use the property for
gravel or water works purposes or
have it put to other uses. But il
was asserted at the meeting that the
property was being purchased purely
for park purposes. The purchase is 1
TO be made through the board OF
works. as Richard Elbel Of the park
board explained that that body had
insufficient funds TO meet the ex-
penditure.
The property will cost s45. 900 and
contains over 100 acres of land. A
payment of $4,000 is to be made
from tn 1916 budget and the re-
mainder will be paid in annual in
stalments of $4,000.
The ordinance apprOpriating $4,000 |
to the board OF public works for the
new building department was passed. |
Two rebate petitions were presented
10 the council and referred to the
committee Of the whole along with
a resolution from 80 milk dealers
asking that the council pass the milk