Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1916-01-07
MAYOR REPORTS ON
CONDITION OF CITY
GIVES NEW COUNCIL STATEMENT
OF FINANCIAL SITUATION
RECOMMENDATION


Commenting that "the city has
made great progress during the year
1916 in the way Of permanent street
improvement and ranks at this time
as the best paved third class city in
the state" Mayor Mottman submit
ted his report for the past year and
his recommendation for 1916, his
fourth term, at the meeting of the
new city council Tuesday night.
His financial statement shows an
unexpended balance of $4,621.04, ex-
penses having been $73.556.15 and
revenues $S1,719.S1. The city has
100000 in bonds outstanding, and
warrants on the different funds as
follows: Current expense, $329.79;
general, $55.508.15; park, $41.31,
and library. $113.12, the interest on
this indebtedness amounting to prac-
tically $4,000 more. His figures,
taking in other sums, show total in
debtedness of $271,166.24, less cash
and resources of $41,615.0S, leaving
a net debt of $229,551.16, as COM
pared with $277,643.1S on January
/, 1918, a reduction of $48,O92.O2.
1--WE hope to be able to sell the
bonds within the rules set down by
the honorable courts and to take over
the plant soon," is the mayors con-
cluding statement with regard to the
waterworks situation, after pointing
out that the city has already ad-
vanced $5,976.49 for material and
labor in laying new mains in districts
paved during the past year and
$4,000 as legal expenses, to be paid
back out of the proceeds Of the bond
sale. 1.-THE plant is fast going to
ruin and wreck" he says. after stat
ing various improvements the city
should undertake Immediately after
II acquires ownership. adding: "The
present company has not expended a
OOllaI improvement sAu uPACCF
for more than year."
Opposes COndemning Light Plant.
The mayor opposes condemnation
Of the plant of the Olympia Light &
Power company. stating: After
carefully looking into this plant. it
appears to me that the hydro-electric
plant of the Olympia Light & Power
company has no future because it's
water resources are growing less each
year and the needs of the city grow
ing larger each year. Therefore the
ownership Of the plant as municipal
affair does not appeal to me as a
good business proposition as a per-
manent investment"
The mayor recommends: That
trees be planted in parking strips on
all permanently paved streets; that
the Olympia Light & Power company
be compelled to pave between It's
tracks on all streets now paved; that
all city departments be held strictly
to their monthly budget allowances;
that no improvements be made with
out a so per cent petition of the prop
erty owners, and that no paving be
done until the city acquires the
waterworks, because the present COM
pany cannot buy new water mains.
To Pay $50, 900 ON Debt.
He serves warning that he will not
sign warrants for expenditures above
the 12-mill limit, urges strict econ
omy, and says that the city should be
free from debt in 10 years, pointing
' out that the Sh mill levy required
by the new law "ought to enable the
city to pay off nearly 100000 on its
old debt this year."
The old city council met for the
last time Tuseday evening, winding
up it's business for the year by pass
ing several ordinances, and then the
new council took charge, c. w. May
nard succeeding J. B. Eshom and
George Draham taking Hords place.
After hearign the mayors report, the
new council adjourned to a star
chamber session which lasted about
two hours, when the principal topic
of discussion was the re-appointment
of ]. B. Weddell as city engineer, to
/ which there is reported to be some
opposition. Four councilmen, how
ever, Talcott, Yauger, Ramberg and
\ McClintic, are said to favor Weddell
and it is likely he will be confirmed
at an adjourned meeting next Tues
day night, when the mayor will also
present his other appointments.
Mr.. and Mrs. Arthur Leonard have