The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1917-08-21
GIBB0IN&a 0IN&aSS!SALARYIS
INCREASED $500;
BRIDGE PAYMENT
UP TO TAXPAYERS

At the meeting of the city coun-
Gil last evening, the salary of Mu-
nicipal Judge John F. Gibbons was
raised from $500 to 1900 per year,
an increase of. $500 per year.
Up to the last city election the
salary OF the municipal judge was
$1,000 with the city deriving not a
cent from the court. When the old
council set the salaries it Clipped
off $500 from the municipal judges
office.
Judge Gibbons was elected to the
bench and under his regime the court
has developed into a big asset to the
city instead Of a liability. Alderman
Tom Smart made the motion for the
increase Of the judges salary to ST.
500 per year, the motion being sec
Onded by HaZen. 1t was the general
opinion of the council that the salary
should be raised and Judge Gibbons
stated he would be willing to accept
the salary paid his predecessor. Aid
erman Lahr offered al amendment
to fix the salary at $1,000, seconded
by Alderman Backus and the amend
ed motion carried. Since Judge Glib
bQns assumed his office last spring
the fines collected for the city have
amounted to over $4,000.
Praised By Brown.
When City Attorney M. J. Brown
was asked his opinion as to increas-
ing the salary of Judge Gibbons, the
city attorney expressed himself as be-
ing heartily in favor, paying high
tribute to the work of Judge Glib
bOns. w. -,
Judge Gibbons also brought up the
|old question Of remodeling the city
hall for the creation Of proper
council room, also a court room on
the second floor, as had been broach-
ed some time ago by the council.
An ordinance providing for the is
suing Of $4,000 bonds for the i'm
provement of the city hall was pre-
sented by City Attorney Brown and
was given first reading.
The report Of the bridge commit
tee was heard and it was suggested
amount Of $4,000 to pay for the
bridge. The bond question will be
put up to the taxpayers at q special
election, but the time of the election
and other definite arrangements have
not yet been made. The county has
already appropriated $500 toward
it's share of paying for the bridge.
Police Car Question.
The council wrestled with the po-
lice car proposition again but came
to no decision and deferred the mat
ter until next meeting. At the close
Of the meeting bids were opened as
provided for at the last meeting.
Those who offered bids we're: Ed
ward Anderson, second hand Stude-
baker, $3.50: William Spears, second
hand Adams car. $3.50 and second
hand Buick roadster, $275 or $3.50;
c. w. Jewett Co., new Ford touring
car with standard equipment $3S7.35
laid down. Motion was made by
Alderman Smart and seconded by
Alderman Moberg that the city ac-
cept the bid of G. w. Jewett, but
when the matter came up for debate
much discussion arose as to whether
or not the city needed a car and IL
so what would be the most econom-
ical way of providing one. In gen.
eral, the aldermen felt that they
were not sufficiently acquainted with
the subject to pass on the matter SO
Alderman Smart withdrew his mo-
tion and the matter was left until
next meeting to give the members Of
the council more time to familiarize
themselves with the situation.
: William Blood. who has been in
charge of the Diamond Point park
and beach this season, was instruct
ed to care for the furniture at the
Point during the winter months.
Here's Good Suggestion.
1t was suggested by Alderman
Smart that the bridge committee look
into the matter of putting some kind
Of sign on the new bridge to let
those who cross the river on the train
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