The Dickinson press., 1917-02-10
CITY COUNCIL HELD
REGULAR MEETING

At regular meeting of the city
council held Monday afternoon the u.s.
ual routine of business was transacted.
Mayor White presided and Aldermen
Crawford, Hayes, Hartung, Pugh,
Koch, Leask, Rabe and Schiller were
present.
On account of some complaints hav-
ing been made relative to sidewalks
in the city not being cleaned off, the
ordinance committee was directed
by Mayor White to. confer with the
city attorney and have an ordinance
drawn up that will allow the city to
clean off the sidewalks and charge
the cost up to the property, if the
walks ire not cleaned within a reas-
enable length of time after a storm.
It was brought to the attention of
the council that on account of the
heavy snow drifts not being removed
from the walks pedestrians undergo
quite a little hardship getting about
the city.
A communication from Peter Braun
relative to an abatement Of 1916
taxes on the building recently de-
stroyed by fire on the South Side
was brought up for discussion.
Council decided and passed a reso-
luton to the effect that the city
had no authority Of law to make
such abatement.
A discussion of the city fire de-
partment was also brought up re-
lative to the efficiency Of the city
fire fighting apparatus, about which
there has been SO much public dis
cussion of late. Chief Harrison j.
Gruschus was present and stated
that in his opinion the present out
fit was as efficient as any that
could be purchased without an x
penditure Of $4,000 or $4,000. He
suggested that as the small car
had a hose trailer to pull as well
as the chemical apparatus that the
gear Of the car be changed to a
chain drive as a great deal more
power could be developed and better
time could be made in getting to
the fires. Foreman VIM. ]. Little
hales also made practically the same
suggestions and further added that
the efficiency of the department de-
pended a great deal upon the pub
lie in general, the fire alarm sys-
TEN, ETC., as quick transmission of
the exact location of the fire to the
heads Of the department was essen
tial for a prompt response to any
alarm. Oftentimes a person turning
in an alarm is excited and directions
are not clear. "A. suggestion was also
made that the city. furnish rooms at
the city hall for constant use of the
single members Of the department SO
that in case of fire at night the de-
partment would be able to respond
more quickly. Mayor White sugg-
ested that the fire department COM
mittee make a very careful investi-
cation and make recommendations at
a future meeting Of the council.
"A special committee consisting OF
Hartung,s Koch and Rabe was appoint
ed to look up and report the feasible
ity Of establishing city scales.
The resignation Of Walter Sterland
as city assessor was accepted and
Mayor White appointed Milt Linsley
to fill the vacancy. The appointment
was confirmed by the council
Complaint vas made that the
streets and alleys in the business sec
ton of the city were being constantly
strewn with waste paper and other
material without regard to the ordi-
nances, and that the city was con-
stantly under an expense of removing
the rubbish in order to lessen the
i danger of loss of fire. The mayor
and the police committee will confer
with the police department to see that
this ordinance is enforced.