Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1916-06-19

printing was not divided.
Hands are thrown into the air in
horror because Greer assumed to
choose and direct his own office
staff, and this is carried into the
petition as one of the list of griev-
ances. Greer has appeared in the
mana cement Of his own personal bus
mess to have fairly we'll prospered
while giving almost his undivided at
tention to the springs water project
and has not wholly failed as Enders
& Co. prophesied, which was certain
ly in thoughtless disregard of the
prophetcal acumen of Mr.. Enders
and his co-wishers. Therefore he
ought to be recalled
Many innuendos and insinuatlons
are INDUCED in, in the petition and
its promoters round-town talk, tend
ing to leave the impression that the
money intrusted to the commission
has been squandered and misappro-
priated. They do ont say so directly
because it might not be safe. One
of the most contemplate methods of
characterizing an antagonist is by in
nuendo and insinuation, and is never
resorted to If there is evidence to
prove the assertion directly made.
The members of the commission
each entered into a bond of ten thou
sand dollars for their faithful dis
charge Of the duties devolving on
them. If they have violated by mis-
appropriation of money, why have
these self constituted guardians mott
caused proceedings to be legally
brought on these bonds and recover
the money they insinuate has been
squandered? A recall will not ac-
complish such a purpose. The fact
is there is no evidence that a cent
has been misappropriated. Smith,
Emery & Co. left $4,000 of the
100000 they were to receive to
make good the defects in their work
if it should be found defective. The
city employed outside engineers to
look it over and report the situation,
which was done. Then the city em-
ployed one of these engineers to rem
edy these defects, which. has also
been done and the report made, and
the expenses, amounting to $4,000,
have been paid, leaving balance of
$12, 900, unexpended, not of money
belonging to the city, but of money
left by the contractors for that pur-
pose.
Why has this recall been directed
against Greer alone, when there are
two others, three constituting the
commission? The answer is plain:
Greer is the one against whom this
spirit of personal animosity exists.
They do not believe that there has
been any graft, nor are they prompt
ed to this move in the interest of the
city, but solely for the purpose of
wreaking personal spite and humilia-
ton.
Who among all the people of this
beautiful little city would be willing,
if it were possible, to give up this
splendid new acquisition? Who
all the thousands who have
already enjoyed its delights has not
praised it and complimented the
splendid enterprise of Ashland? Who
among our enterprising citizens does
not direct every newcomer and Wis
itor into Lithia Park? If there is
one who has not swelled with pride
when he has heard the universal
plaudits and congratulations unver-
sally INDUCED in by strangers, he has
my sincere pity.
No greater harm has been done
than has been accomplished
by this monstrous effort to discredit
the city in the eyes of the world.
Who of. all our citizens ever tried
to bring about this great consumma-
tion, or ever dreamed of it until Bert
R. Greer, with his esthetic tastes and
indomitable courage, proposed and
put it through? Without his efforts,
persistent industry and courage it
would never have been done AMI
there are very few who, would,
against the bitter opposition of ieal-
ousy and hate that has constantly
tried to make the project failure,
have persistently hung on until its
final consummatiOn?
viii the people vote to recall Mr..
Greer simply to assist some other in
dividual to wreak a personal spite?
l have a better opinion of the good
people of Ashland, who are now in
vesting thousands of dollars in a Joy
Gus preparation to celebrate the COM
pletion Of this project that has at
tracted to us all parts of this great
country.