The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-11-21
WANTS FAIR PLAY
IN CITY COUNCIL THE
MAYOR DECLARES

Declaring that buttonholing, intrigue
and cliques in the city council must be
discontinued and inferring that too
much of that thing had been charge
able to some of the aldermen, Mayor
Charles Mulberger tossed bomb of
CONSERVATION into the regular meet
ing of the city council Tuesday even
ing. Although the fracas started over
the application fora light in Seventh
street, it was apparent that the mayor
knew more of what was going on
among some of the aldermen than he
brought out in his declaration:
81 have been fair and square in my
rulings and conduct of the mayors
office since | was elected, and | will
insist that the aldermen conduct
themselves in like manner" per-
sued the mayor
Alderman Gruetzmacher had pre-
scented a petition asking for an mean
descent light in Seventh street, south
of Clyman street. He stated that as
the street did not cross the railroad
tracks the condition there was dan
gerous.
Alderman Kerr interposed an OBJ
lection, stating it would be better if
the light was placed and the street
closed, as traffic south could be taken
care of on Eighth street. He said that
light would attract people to danger
and that it would be better to leave
the street as it is if was not closed up.
Alderman Gruetzmacher then took
the floor and explained at length the
need Of a light on the street, saying
that if there was danger the need of
showing that danger was apparent,
and that irrespective of the fact that
the street should be closed the light
was needed. He also stated that there
was $500 in the lighting fund not used
up and that light should be put up.
Mayor Mulberger then addressed
the council, saying, 81 am glad to see
that the lighting committees chair
man has seen the light and l hope
that he will continue to see it. 1 am
also glad to see that one of my alder
men took the stand that l took. | am
heartily in favor of closing the street
and putting up an incandeScent light"
Names of persons not members of the
council were mentioned as making
conflicting statements. 1t was de-
clared that Mayor Mulberger is said
to have made statements that he
would veto all light petitions. His
statement, freely made, is, Il will veto
all petitions for arc lights" Nothing
was said about incandescent lights.
The statement that was made before
the lighting committee by one of the
aldermen was that an arc light would
not be allowed on that street because
it was in his ward"
Alderman Gruetzmacher then stated
that it must be remembered that the
street where the light was needed
was in his ward and that he could
state before the council on oath that
he did not want an arc light.
Mayor Mulberger then interposed
and said that he wanted an arc light
Alderman Gruetzmacher: when we
started we did not want an arc light
| am a little surprised at this thing,
and | don't care what anyone said. I
didn't ask for an arc light" conclud-
ed the alderman.
The petition was then voted upon
and passed.
The fracas is said to have started
over the fact that the light chairman
wanted an arc light in Seventh street
and that outside constituents were
drawn into it through conflicting
statements.