The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1916-02-01

moved to the basement of the public
library. Most of the city council
members and number of business
men favored this plan at a meetins
of the city council when the uues
ton of maintaining the Rest Room
was taken up.
Committee is Appointed.
President Lycan of the council ap-
pointed the building committee
composed of Aldermen Phillippi
Smart and Moberg, to confer with the
committees Of the business mems as
sOciation and the commercial club tC
investigate the library plan and
other plans and to report at the next
meeting Of the city council
Business Men Present.
There were a number Of business
men at the city council meeting last
evening. e. A. Barker, president of
the Merchants association, told the
council of the Rest Room, it's origin
and how it had been maintained UP
to the present time by the women of
the Study club. He asked that the
council investigate the feasibility Of
the city taking over the project.
Spending Citizens Money.
President Lycan explained to the
business men that it was the citizens
money that would be spent by the
council and that if the Rest Room
idea was feasible and worth the
amount of money paid, and if there
was strong endorsement by the peo-
pie of the project, the city council
would make arrangements for the
city to take over the room.
1t was pointed out that although
no record was kept at the present
time, about 800 to 400 people visited
the Rest Room each month.
Willing for City to Act
f. G. Troppman told the council
that he believed that the project was
a good thing and that he would be
willing to have the city take it over
G.. d. Rackus stated that in his
opinion the rooms were OF much
benefit to the city and that they
should be maintained by the city,
He stated that he thought that it
would be advisable that the rooms be
connected with some public building,
such as the city hall or library
"It is public benefit said Mr.
Backus, land as public funds are to
be spent, the rooms should be Sc
cured at the least possible expense" :"
Suggests Library.
Alderman Lahr suggested the use
of the basement Of the library for
the rooms. By increasing the salary
of the librarian it was believed that
the library could be kept open later
than it now is. Alderman Lahr's
suggestion was favored by many of
the aldermen and business men
present.
Armory Question Up
Many matters came before the
city council last evening, including
the proposition of new armory for
Bemidji.
"How many want an armory?"
asked Lieut.. e. A. Barker of the
naval militia All members of the
council favored the project and ad-
vsed Mr. Barker that the city would
uphold it's side.
Board Meets Feb. s.
Mr.. Barker stated that the Armory
board would meet in St. Paul, Feb. g.
and that if Bemidji were to have an
armory an application would have tc
be presented then. He submitted a
plat of the proposed site and stated
that there was some objection by peo-
pie in the immediate neighborhOoC
of the site. By moving the building
ten feet more toward the lake it is
believed that much of the objection
will be overcome The council mem
\ bers were unanimous in the opinion
that the present site is the "finest
site in town."
Salaries Considered.
The council last evening named
the salaries of the city officials fol
the ensuing year. The salary com
mittee was split in regard to the sal
ary of the city attorney.
Alderman Erwin stated that he was
of the opinion that Bemidji is pay
ing a higher salary than most cities
this size and that the salary should
be cut to $50 per month.
Alderman Bailey favored the pres
ent salary of $40 per month.
Has Much Work.
City Attorney Russell stated thai
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