The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-12-15
Of commerce COMMITTEE.

Rev l.. w. Mulhane, a member OF
a committee consisting. In addition tc
himself, of w. p. Bogardus and II. G.
Devin, appointed by the old board of
trade, told OF the experience OF this
committee stating that, for period
of six months an investigation was
made and the results were embodied
I'm a report which is still in existence
Rev. Mulhane favors the plan Of gov.
ernment now in vogue in Springfield,
o. He sketched this briefly, pointing
out that the solicitor, auditor aud
treasurer act as checks upon the city
manager.
DR.. E. G. Beggs told Of conversa-
tions he had last week in Dayton with
the secretary and clerk of the Great
er Dayton association. He spoke of
the open enthusiasm in Dayton over
the city manager plan OF government
and cited numerous instances where
almost unbelievable economies had
been accomplished through 1t.
Judge Frank o. Levering pointed
out that the proposition to change
the form of city government reflects
not at all upon present or past offic-
falls, but is merely designed to intro
duce greater efficiency and economy,
as well as responsibility. He referred
| to the present form as "top-heavy."
William M. Banning, former presi-
dent of city council, gave some In
| teresting statistics In connection
| with the operating expense of the
city Of Mt. Vernon. He spoke of the
| fact that the city gets hut one-third
OF the money collected in taxes, while
one.half of this amount goes toward
] the redemption of bonds. The var.
ious advantages of commission form
of government were outlined by Mr.,
| Banning.
! A vote was taken on the motion to
designate a council committee to In
vestigate and the same carried unan-
imously.
MUNY XMAS TREE PLANNED
A municipal Christmas tree, the
moeny to buy and place which is to be
raised by public subscription, was a
timely item of discussion and was in
troduced by President Clutter.
IL was suggested that the money
invested in the tree might better be
distributed among the poor, but on
the other hand it was pointed out
that the municipal tree would do
much toward the fostering and stir
ring up of true Christmas spirit.
Council went on record as in favor
of tree In case one is erected on
the public square. efforts will be put
| forth to have the festival association
| the children of the public and paroch.
| ial schools, as well as other organi
| cations, sing Christmas carols aud
sacred music under it on nights oi
Christmas week.
MAYORS VETO DlSREGARDED
Councilman Pfouts reported that
Mayor Mitchell would neither assign
any reason for his veto of the gas
ordinance nor make any suggestions
as to changes that would make the
measure more popular one with
him, so council took up the ordinance
and passed it over his veto, going tc
the extent of playing safe by giving
1t three readings under suspension Of
the rules.
The vote was unanimous. The
ordinance provides for a net rate oi
25 cents a thousand for three years
and 81 cents for the succeeding two
years, allowing a minimum charge oI
so cents.
SEWER REPORT is READ
The report of City Engineer Walter
s. Anderson and Service Director G
G. Snow on the Wooster avenue sew
er was read. 1t stated that the wori
would necessitate 200 feet of sewer
with eight laterals and three man
holes. The report also commented
upon the proposed Park-Burgess
Pleasant sewer. It was received anG
filed.
BIG ECONOMY EFFECTED
An interesting letter was reaC
from Ray S. Blinn, formerly city engi
neer of the city of Mt. Vernon ani
now city manager of the village ot
Westerville, telling of large amount
of money saved by changing from
steam to electricity in the pumping
of city water. A force of three mer
was cut down to one man, while 6
monthly expense of 1885 for oil, fuel
wages, ETC., was reduced $17O, witt
prospects for it running even less
than this.
City Solicitor Koons and Council
man Weaver spoke of large tree
now dead, standing in the middle o.
Harnwell street which residents o.
that section of the city desire re
moved, chiefly on account of the fac
that its dead limbs may fall at any
time, injuring somebody. The service
director was asked to look into the
matter.
PAIL LATERAL DISCONNECTED
Following the report Of Service
Director Snow that the PAIL sewer
lateral has been disconnected, coUnci
passed an ordinance, which has Ions
hung fire, provided for the cancella
tion of certain assessments agains
the PAIL property.
TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER
An ordinance was read, providing
for the transfer OF 500 from the may
or's stationery fund to the mayor;
incidental fund, and then referred t
the finance committee. Council wa
uninformed as to the purpose of th'
transfer.
THREE WEEKS VACATION
In view of Christmas and New
Years day both falling on Monday
oounoiI adfournad until tho aaonuI