Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-10-17
SOUTH MILL CREEK
PROBLEM DISCUSSED
City Council Asked to Deepen
and Clear Channel to Pre-
vent Floods

Probably the most important thing
that came before the city council at
its regular meeting last night was the
petition of the taxpayers of southeast
Salem asking for action by the council
in clearing South Mill creek SO that
the menace of winter floods will he
removed. The petition was signed by
about sixty property holders of the
district affected, many of whom were
present to see what disposition the
council made of the request.
Elmo 5. White, attorney, acted as
spokesman for the taxpayers and was
gwen the privilege of the floor in or.
der to explain the needs of the people.
He stated that eight years ago res..
dents of this district were menaced bv
big flood and that at that time
many houses were practically under
water. AT that time the attention of
the council was not called to the nee.
esslty of clearing the creek to afford
an easier flow of water.
He stated that the high water of
the past two years has been from the
natural flow, and intimated there might
be serious danger to life and property
II tnere should be an unusual fall of
ram or snow. Last winter he said hous.
es block away from the stream were
surrounded by two feet of water and
some had water nearly to their floors.
Wlth the state of Oregon digging
ditches to drain its land somewhat far.
ther to the east, he believed it would
send down more water than ever. He
declared it was necessary to have a
channel deep enough and wide enonqb
to take care of this flow.
Z. Il. Bayes was given the floor and
he said southeast Salem had never ask.
ed very much of the council. but as
there was considerable Improvement
going on in that part of the citv and
as the annual floods have Inconvenience
ed them seriously he thought the coun.
en- ought to take action and help them.
lie said some of the families are so sit.
uated their children cannot get to
school for days at time. He said they
only wanted what was due them.
! Miss Luthy and others supported the
general argument as to the necessity
of the improvement.
L. b. Kay, state treasurer. stated
the attitude of the state in regard to
the digging of bitches. He said there
was an impression given that the state
was going to drain its land east of the
city and dump the water on Salem. As
the state has several hundred acres
that need draining, he said it was on
I ho% II. 1
drained.
However, he said the ditch was to he
brought down to the city limits if the
city would clear the creek from there
to the Willamette river. This ditch is
to be dug by convict labor. But if the
city does not cooperate in making a
clear course for the water to flow
away, the state will take no action in
digging the big ditch. lie said he could
see no logic in digging ditch that
would flood the inhabitants of the city
Councilman Huddleson confirmed
everything that was said concerning the
situation in southeast Salem and
thought something should be done. He
said the normal flow was more than
the bed of the creek would carry.
was to be left with the sewer commit
tee with power to act, objected as he
thought the matter ought to be brought
before the council before action was
taken. He said there was really no
haste as the creek had been flowing
for 81 years or more and that the $500
suggested as being sufficient to do the
work was probably a trifle compared
to the total cost. He declared he would
not take the contract for clearing the
creek much under $4,000. The matter
was left in the hands of the sewer com
mittee but without power to act.
A resolution authorizing the city to
build a sidewalk for w. w. Walker on
lot in Walker s Addition to Salem
was passed. The resolution stated that
notice had been given two years ago to-
put in the walk, but that it had never
been done and that another notice was
also ignored. Mr.. Walker was repre-
sented by Elmo S. White, who stated
that Walker feels Disseminated against
and that he is being forced TO build
when others have lots between him and
the city who have not been required
to build walks. He said the notice two
years ago was given when he was not
in possession of the lot. He wants 9TH
ers to build the same as he when they
are between him and the city. HeI
says he will resist the action of the
council if forced.
Mayor White assured Attorney White
the city did not intend to discriminate
but that complaint had been filed a
gainst the Walker walk.
A communication from the Salem
Commercial club asking that street
signs be put up in the fire limits was
referred to the street committee.
A communication from the Geer-
Kreuger Furniture company asking for
permission to build galvanized iron
garage back of their store building on
Court street was referred to the com
mittee on fire and water.
Clara Goldberger bought an automo-
bile license from the city recently
Now her machine is broken down and
she asks the council to refund her