The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-04-13
ORDERS SOLICITOR
TO TAKE UP TASK
Wilson Threatens To Sue
For His Retainer; News
Of City Fathers

Diplomatic relations between city
council and Mayor Charles A. Mitch
ell have been severed at least insofar
as the collection of outstanding liquor
fines is concerned as, at the regular
meeting of the body Monday night, a
motion was unanimously carried di
recting the city solicitor to take such
steps as will compel the mayor to
collect the fines still due the city from
Branigan, Smithhisler and Weaver.
The crisis reached an acute stage
several weeks ago when council was
made committee of the whole to
confer with the mayor on the collec-
tion. Il was later decided that the
size of this committee would make
1t too unwieldy and it was reduced to
three men, Councilmen Pfouts, Sock
man and Salisbury. The smaller com
mittee conferred with the mayor last
Saturday afternoon and as result,
recommended Monday evening to the
body that the city solicitor take such
steps as would force the collection.
It is said to be the contention of
the mayor that the fines we're i'm
posed upon the parties concerned by
his predecessor, former Mayor Per-
rine, and that he has done all he could
to collect them.
Regularly, for some time, council
has discussed the collection of these
fines, as II would bring in some much
needed revenue. There has always
been tendency toward giving the
mayor every opportunity possible to
collect them of his own initiative but,
after Saturdays conference, stronger
methods are now deemed the only So
luton of the problem.
Solicitor Rooms was not prepared
TO state Monday evening just what ac-
ton he will take TO compel the col
lection of the fines. There are two
plans possible, one of which is very
strong. The solicitor did say, howey-
er, that he will use all legal means to
force the issue.
A goblin of the past knocked at
council chamber Monday evening and
was duly admitted when Clerk Woot-
ton reported the receipt OF letter
from G. Il. Wilson of GAINESVILLE in
which the latter demanded that the
city pay him something over $50 still
due as O retainer on the improvement
of Plum and Blackberry alleys. 1t ap-
pears that Wilson was paid his final
estimates on the Jobs In August, 1911, +,
and that ar is the custom, retainers
were kept for a two-year period. In
February, 1914, all of the plum alley
retainer and portion OF that OF
Blackberry alley was paid Wilson
There is still due him about $50, to
recover which he threatens to sue
Auditor Gates informed council that
the bond issue on the improvements
had been insufficient TO pay for the
same. On motion. the solicitor and
city engineer were instructed to in
vestigate.
MAYOR AND CHIEF REPORT
Mayor Mitcaell reported So collect
ed In fines during the month OF March
Chief OF Police Parker reported
the following arrests during the
month lntoxication 20. larceny !
violating traffic laws 1, permitting
pool-piaying for money /, assault |
acfrauding an inn-keeper /. vagranc,
~. a total OF &c. There we're Ga call
answered during the month and re
ported back.
CITY SUIT UP THIS MONTH
Reporting on the suit which thu
city OF Mt. Vernon has brough
against the Mt. Vernon Street Rail
way Co. to recover money due 70
street improvements. Solicitor Koon
stated that he had made arrange
ments SO that the suit can be hear,
this month. An attempt is being mad,
10 have Judge Jewell Of Delaware
here at that time.
SALARY BOOST is FAVORED
The committee TO which was re
ferred the matter OF an increase II
the wages of the laborers OF the wa
Ter works department reported favor